The symbols and codes on your license explained

Your driver license contains several codes and symbols that tell law enforcement and other officials what you are legally permitted to do behind the wheel. These marks appear in specific boxes on your license and restrict or note conditions on your driving privileges. Understanding what they mean helps you know your own driving rights and avoid violations you may not have realized applied to you.

The codes fall into three main categories: restrictions (things you cannot do), endorsements (special permissions you have earned), and medical notations (conditions that affect your driving). Each state uses slightly different symbols, but the general system is the same across the country. Your license document itself lists what each code means, but many drivers never look at that section.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction codes appear in a box labeled "Restrictions" and tell you what you cannot do — such as driving without corrective lenses or without a commercial passenger endorsement.
  • Endorsement codes show special permissions you have earned, such as the right to drive a motorcycle or haul hazardous materials in a commercial vehicle.
  • Medical notations flag conditions like hearing loss or seizure disorders that the DMV has on record and that may affect your driving privileges.
  • Every state prints a legend on the back of the license or on a separate document that decodes what each symbol means in that state.
  • If a code appears on your license that you do not understand or believe is wrong, you can contact your state DMV to request a correction or clarification.

Restriction codes: what you cannot do

Restrictions are the most common codes on a driver license. They appear in a box labeled "Restrictions" and use letters or numbers to indicate limitations on your driving. The most frequent restriction is a requirement to wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) while driving — this appears as a code like "B" in many states. If you have this restriction and drive without your glasses, you are breaking the law, even if you think you can see well enough.

Other common restrictions include prohibitions on driving without air brakes (for commercial vehicles), limits on the hours you can drive, requirements to use an ignition interlock device (a breathalyzer connected to your engine), and restrictions on where you can drive. Some restrictions are temporary — for example, a restriction requiring you to drive only during daylight hours may expire after a set period. Check the expiration date on your license to see if any restrictions have time limits.

If you have a restriction you do not understand, look at the back of your license or the document your state DMV gave you when you received the license. That document contains a full legend. If the legend does not clarify the code, call your state DMV directly and ask them to explain what the specific letter or number means in your state.

Endorsement codes: special permissions you have earned

Endorsements are the opposite of restrictions — they grant you permission to do something that a standard driver license does not allow. The most common endorsement is a motorcycle endorsement, which appears as a code like "M" and means you have passed a separate test to operate a motorcycle. Without this endorsement, you cannot legally ride a motorcycle, even if you have a regular driver license.

Other endorsements include the right to drive a commercial vehicle (marked "CDL" for Commercial Driver License), the right to haul hazardous materials, the right to carry passengers for hire, and the right to tow trailers over a certain weight. Each endorsement requires you to pass a written test, a skills test, or both. If you want to add an endorsement to your license, you will need to contact your state DMV and register for the required tests.

Endorsements sometimes come with their own restrictions. For example, a CDL may come with a restriction limiting you to vehicles without air brakes, or a restriction on the number of passengers you can carry. Read your license carefully to see whether any endorsement you have is paired with a restriction that limits how you can use it.

Medical notations and conditional licenses

Some driver licenses include medical notations — codes that flag a health condition the DMV has on record. These notations do not automatically restrict your driving, but they alert law enforcement that you have a condition that may affect your ability to drive safely. Common medical notations include codes for hearing loss, seizure disorders, diabetes, and vision problems that do not require corrective lenses but are still significant enough for the DMV to note.

In some cases, the DMV will issue a conditional license that requires you to have a medical evaluation at regular intervals — often every one to three years. If you have a conditional license, you will see an expiration date that is sooner than a standard license. When that date approaches, you will need to visit your doctor, have them fill out a form, and submit it to the DMV to renew your license. Driving after your conditional license expires is illegal, even if you feel fine.

Medical notations do not mean you cannot drive. They mean the state has documented a condition and may require periodic proof that you are still safe to drive. If you believe a medical notation on your license is incorrect or outdated, contact your state DMV with documentation from your doctor showing that the condition no longer applies.

How to read the codes on your specific license

Every state formats its driver license differently, but all of them include a legend that explains the codes. For most states, this legend appears on the back of the physical license card itself, printed in small text. If you cannot read it easily, ask for a copy when you renew your license — the DMV will provide a separate sheet that lists all codes used in your state.

If you have lost that legend or cannot find it, visit your state DMV website and search for "driver license codes" or "restrictions and endorsements." Most state DMVs publish a full guide online. You can also call your state DMV directly and ask them to explain any specific code on your license. Have your license number ready when you call, and be prepared to describe the code you do not understand (for example, whether it is a letter, number, or symbol, and where it appears on your license).

Some states also use a color-coded system on the license itself — for example, a red stripe or a different background color to indicate a medical condition or a temporary restriction. If your license looks different from others you have seen, that visual difference is usually explained in the legend as well.

What happens if you drive outside your restrictions or endorsements

Driving in violation of a restriction or without a required endorsement is a traffic violation. The penalty varies by state and by the specific violation, but it can include a fine, points on your driving record, and in some cases a license suspension. For example, driving without the required corrective lenses is usually a minor violation, but driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL endorsement is a more serious offense.

If you are stopped by law enforcement and your license shows a restriction you have violated, the officer will likely issue you a citation. You will then have the option to pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or in some cases take a defensive driving course to reduce the penalty. The violation will appear on your driving record and may affect your insurance rates.

If you realize you have a restriction you did not know about, or if you want to remove a restriction, contact your state DMV. Some restrictions can be removed by passing a test or providing documentation (for example, removing a corrective lens restriction by passing a vision test without glasses). Others are permanent unless your circumstances change significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the "B" restriction on my license mean?

The "B" restriction in most states means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) while driving. This restriction is placed on your license if you failed the vision portion of your driving test without correction but passed with correction. You must wear your glasses or contacts every time you drive, or you are violating the restriction.

Can I remove a restriction from my license?

Some restrictions can be removed by passing a test or providing updated medical documentation. For example, a corrective lens restriction can sometimes be removed by passing a vision test without glasses. Contact your state DMV to ask which restrictions on your license can be removed and what steps you need to take.

What is the difference between a restriction and an endorsement?

A restriction limits what you can do — it tells you what you are not allowed to do. An endorsement grants you permission to do something extra — it tells you what you are allowed to do beyond a standard driver license. For example, a motorcycle endorsement allows you to ride a motorcycle; a corrective lens restriction requires you to wear glasses while driving.

Do I need to memorize all the codes on my license?

No. You need to understand what restrictions explore to you and follow them. Keep the legend from your state DMV in your car or at home so you can look up any code you are unsure about. If you are ever stopped by law enforcement, they will be able to read and explain any codes on your license.

What if my license shows a medical condition I do not think is accurate?

Contact your state DMV with documentation from your doctor showing that the condition no longer applies or was recorded in error. You may need to provide a medical evaluation or a letter from your physician. The DMV will review your request and update your license if the documentation supports a change.