A Restriction A limits you to wearing corrective lenses while driving
A Restriction A on your Texas driver's license means you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses every time you drive. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) places this restriction on your license when vision testing shows you need correction to drive safely, but your corrected vision meets the state's minimum standard.
This is not a suspension or a mark against your record. It is a safety requirement tied to your specific vision needs. If you drive without the required correction, you are breaking the law — even if you feel you can see well enough. Texas treats this as a moving violation, similar to speeding or running a red light.
The restriction appears as a code on the front of your physical license and in the Texas DPS database. Law enforcement can see it during a traffic stop. If you are pulled over and not wearing your glasses or contacts, the officer can cite you for violating the restriction.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction A requires you to wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) whenever you operate a vehicle.
- The restriction is placed after a vision test shows you need correction to meet Texas's minimum driving vision standard.
- Driving without the required correction is a violation and can result in a traffic citation.
- You can request a vision retest through the DPS if your vision has improved or if you believe the restriction was placed in error.
- Restriction A does not prevent you from driving — it only specifies the condition under which you must drive.
How the restriction gets placed on your license
Texas DPS adds Restriction A during your initial license exam or when you renew your license. The examiner administers a vision screening using a machine that tests how well you see at different distances. If your uncorrected vision falls below the state minimum but your corrected vision meets it, the restriction is added to your license.
You may not realize the restriction has been placed until you receive your new license in the mail or see it printed at the DPS office. Some people discover it only when pulled over by law enforcement. If you wear glasses or contacts regularly, the restriction straightforward formalizes what you already do.
The state minimum for driving vision in Texas is 20/40 in each eye with correction, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other. If you cannot meet this standard even with correction, you will not be issued a license at all — Restriction A only applies when correction brings you to the legal threshold.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving without the required glasses or contacts while Restriction A is on your license is a traffic violation. An officer who stops you can issue a citation, which carries a fine. The amount varies, but Texas traffic citations for license violations typically range from $100 to $200, though the exact penalty depends on the court and circumstances.
A citation for violating Restriction A also goes on your driving record. This can affect your insurance rates and may count toward accumulating points on your license. If you accumulate enough violations, your license can be suspended.
Beyond the legal consequence, driving without correction when you need it is genuinely unsafe. Your reaction time and ability to spot hazards decrease when you cannot see clearly. The restriction exists because the state determined that uncorrected vision creates a real risk to you and others on the road.
Requesting a vision retest or restriction removal
If your vision has improved or you believe the restriction was placed in error, you can request a retest through the DPS. You do not need to wait for your license to expire. Visit your local DPS office and ask to take another vision screening. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay a retest fee, which is typically around $20 to $30, though this amount can vary.
During the retest, the examiner will check your vision with and without correction. If your uncorrected vision now meets the state minimum, the restriction will be removed. If your corrected vision no longer meets the standard, the restriction will remain or may be updated to reflect your current needs.
You can also request a retest if you have switched to a different type of correction — for example, if you have had LASIK surgery and no longer need glasses. Bring documentation of the procedure if you have it. The DPS will test your vision as it is now, not as it was before surgery.
Other vision-related restrictions on Texas licenses
Restriction A is the most common vision restriction, but Texas DPS uses other codes for different situations. Restriction B requires you to wear a hearing aid if you are deaf or hard of hearing. Restriction C limits you to daylight driving only. Restriction D restricts you to driving within a certain distance of your home or workplace.
These restrictions are placed based on the results of your medical or vision exam and your specific circumstances. Like Restriction A, they are conditions of your license, not suspensions. You can still drive — you straightforward must follow the stated condition.
If you have multiple restrictions, all of them explore. For example, if you have both Restriction A and Restriction C, you must wear corrective lenses and drive only during daylight hours.
Renewing your license with Restriction A in place
When your license expires and you renew it, you will take another vision test. If your vision still requires correction to meet the state standard, Restriction A will be renewed on your new license. You do not need to do anything special — the restriction carries forward automatically unless you request a retest and pass without it.
Texas licenses are valid for six years for most drivers under 85 years old. If your vision changes during that time, you can request a retest at any point rather than waiting for renewal. This is especially important if you have had eye surgery, changed prescriptions significantly, or developed a new vision problem.
If you let your license expire and then renew it after a gap, you will still take the standard vision test. The restriction will be placed again if needed, based on your current vision at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back if Restriction A is on it?
Restriction A does not remove your driving privileges. You can drive right now — you just have to wear your corrective lenses. If you want the restriction removed, request a vision retest at your local DPS office to see if your vision has improved enough to no longer need it.
Do I have to tell my insurance company about Restriction A?
Restriction A is a public record on your license, so your insurance company can see it. You do not need to report it separately. However, if you violate the restriction and receive a citation, that violation will appear on your driving record and may affect your rates.
What if I got Restriction A years ago and my vision has changed?
You can request a retest at any time without waiting for your license to expire. Visit a DPS office, pay the retest fee, and take the vision screening again. If your vision now meets the standard without correction, the restriction will be removed from your license.
Does Restriction A mean I failed my vision test?
No. Restriction A means you passed the vision test with correction. Your uncorrected vision did not meet the standard, but your corrected vision did. The restriction straightforward documents that you need correction to drive legally and safely.
Can I drive someone else's car if I have Restriction A?
Yes, as long as you are wearing your corrective lenses. The restriction applies to you, not to the vehicle. You must follow the restriction in any car you drive, whether it is yours, a rental, or a friend's vehicle.