Restriction B is a corrective lens requirement that Texas DPS places on your license

Restriction B means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — whenever you drive. The Texas Department of Public Safety adds this restriction to your license if your vision does not meet the state's uncorrected standard during your eye exam at the DPS office.

The restriction appears as a code on the front of your physical license and in the DPS database. It is not a violation or a mark against your driving record. It is a safety condition tied to how your eyes tested on the day of your exam.

If you drive without the corrective lenses required by Restriction B, you are driving with an invalid license — even if you have perfect vision while wearing them. A traffic stop can result in a citation for driving with a restriction violation, separate from any other traffic offense.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle, and the restriction is printed on your license card.
  • DPS adds Restriction B during your vision screening if your uncorrected eyesight falls below the state minimum, even if corrected vision is perfect.
  • Driving without the required corrective lenses is a violation of your license restrictions and can result in a separate citation from law enforcement.
  • You can remove Restriction B by passing a new vision exam at a DPS office without the restriction in place, or by obtaining a letter from an eye doctor stating your uncorrected vision now meets state standards.

How Texas DPS determines if you need Restriction B

During your license exam or renewal, a DPS officer or examiner conducts a vision screening. Texas requires uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other, to drive without a corrective lens restriction.

If your uncorrected vision does not meet those thresholds, DPS tests your vision with correction — your current glasses or contacts. If corrected vision meets or exceeds 20/40, you pass the exam and receive Restriction B. If corrected vision still falls short, you fail the vision test and cannot renew or obtain a license.

The restriction is based on your uncorrected vision alone. Even if you have 20/20 vision while wearing glasses, you still receive Restriction B because your eyes without correction do not meet the standard.

What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses

Driving with Restriction B on your license but without wearing your corrective lenses means you are operating a vehicle with an invalid license. A police officer who stops you can cite you for violating a license restriction, which is a separate offense from any other traffic violation.

The citation typically carries a fine and may result in points on your driving record, depending on the officer's discretion and local court policy. Some jurisdictions treat restriction violations as minor infractions; others treat them more seriously. A second or third violation can lead to license suspension.

If you are involved in an accident while driving without your required corrective lenses, your insurance company may deny a claim or use the violation as grounds to raise your rates or cancel your policy.

How to remove Restriction B from your license

You have two main routes to remove Restriction B: take a new vision exam at DPS, or provide documentation from an eye care professional.

The DPS route requires you to visit a driver license office and request a vision retest. You will take the exam without your corrective lenses. If your uncorrected vision now meets the state standard, the restriction is removed on the spot or within a few days. If your vision still does not meet the standard, the restriction remains.

The documentation route involves obtaining a letter from an optometrist or ophthalmologist stating that your uncorrected visual acuity meets or exceeds the Texas standard of 20/40 in each eye, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other. You then bring this letter to a DPS office. DPS will review it and may remove the restriction without requiring you to retake the exam. Some DPS offices accept this route; others require you to retake the exam regardless. Call your local DPS office before visiting to confirm their policy.

Restriction B versus other vision-related restrictions

Texas uses several vision-related restriction codes. Restriction B specifically means corrective lenses are required. Other restrictions address different vision issues: Restriction C limits driving to daylight hours only, typically for people with significant night vision problems. Restriction D restricts driving to certain speeds or road types.

You can have multiple restrictions on a single license. For example, you might have both Restriction B (corrective lenses required) and Restriction C (daylight driving only) if your vision test results warrant both.

If you are unsure which restrictions appear on your license, check the front of your card or log into your DPS account online to view your license details.

What to do if you believe Restriction B was added in error

If you believe your vision test was conducted incorrectly or that Restriction B was added by mistake, you can request a retest at any DPS driver license office. Bring your current glasses or contacts and be prepared to take the vision screening again.

If you fail the retest and still disagree with the result, you can request that DPS review your exam or you can obtain an independent vision exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist and bring the results to DPS. Some offices will consider independent test results as grounds to retest you or remove the restriction.

Keep in mind that DPS vision standards are set by state law and are not negotiable. If your uncorrected vision does not meet the legal threshold, Restriction B will remain unless your vision improves or you provide documentation from a licensed eye care professional showing that it has.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with Restriction B if I forget my glasses at home?

No. If Restriction B is on your license, you must wear your corrective lenses every time you drive. Forgetting your glasses is not an excuse; you are driving with an invalid license and can be cited for a restriction violation.

Does Restriction B affect my insurance rates?

Restriction B itself does not typically affect your rates. However, if you receive a citation for driving without your required corrective lenses, that violation will appear on your driving record and may cause your insurer to raise your rates or review your policy.

How long does it take to remove Restriction B after I pass a new vision exam?

If you pass a retest at a DPS office, the restriction is usually removed when ready or within a few business days. If you submit a letter from an eye doctor, removal may take one to two weeks while DPS processes the documentation.

What if my vision has gotten worse and I now need stronger glasses?

Restriction B does not specify the strength of your corrective lenses. You must wear corrective lenses, but the law does not require them to be a particular prescription. If your vision has worsened, update your glasses or contacts with your eye doctor and continue to wear them while driving.

Can I get a hardship exemption from Restriction B?

No. Texas law does not provide exemptions from vision-based restrictions. If your uncorrected vision does not meet the state standard, you must wear corrective lenses to drive legally. If you cannot wear corrective lenses for medical reasons, you may not be able to hold a valid driver's license.