Restriction B is a limit on when and where you can drive
Restriction B on a Texas driver's license means you can only drive during daylight hours — typically sunrise to sunset — and you cannot drive on limited-access highways like interstates. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) adds this restriction when your vision does not meet the standard for unrestricted driving, but is good enough for daytime driving on regular roads.
This restriction appears on the front of your license as a letter code. It does not prevent you from driving altogether; it narrows when and where you are legally permitted to operate a vehicle. If you drive outside these limits — at night or on an interstate — you are breaking the law, even if your vision would otherwise allow it.
The restriction stays on your license until you either pass a vision test that meets the unrestricted standard, request a hearing to challenge it, or let your license expire and reapply without the restriction (though DPS will likely reinstate it if your vision has not improved).
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B limits you to daylight driving on regular roads and prohibits interstate or limited-access highway use.
- DPS imposes this restriction based on your vision test results at renewal or initial issuance.
- You can remove the restriction by passing a vision test that meets the unrestricted standard, or by requesting a hearing to dispute it.
- Driving outside the restriction's limits is a violation and can result in a traffic citation.
- You do not need to wait for your license to expire to challenge or remove the restriction.
Why DPS adds Restriction B to your license
Texas DPS uses vision testing to determine whether you can safely drive without restrictions. During a license renewal, reissuance, or initial process, you take a vision screening. If your corrected or uncorrected vision falls below the standard for unrestricted driving — typically 20/40 or better in at least one eye — but is adequate for daytime driving, DPS assigns Restriction B.
The restriction reflects a judgment that your vision is sufficient for slower-speed, well-lit driving on regular roads, but not safe for high-speed interstate driving or driving in low-light conditions. This is a common outcome for people with progressive vision loss, certain eye conditions, or age-related changes in sight.
You will see the restriction code printed on your license. It does not appear on your driving record in a way that affects insurance rates directly, but a police officer can see it during a traffic stop, and driving in violation of it can result in a citation.
How to remove Restriction B from your license
The most straightforward way to remove Restriction B is to pass a vision test that meets Texas's unrestricted standard. You can schedule a vision test at any Texas DPS office. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay a small fee for the test (fees vary by location). If you pass, DPS will issue you a new license without the restriction, usually within a few days.
If you believe the restriction was added in error, or if you want to challenge the vision test result, you can request a hearing. Contact your local DPS office and ask for information about filing a hearing request. You will need to explain why you believe the restriction is incorrect. A hearing officer will review your case, and you may be asked to undergo another vision test or provide documentation from an eye care professional.
Do not wait for your license to expire to address the restriction. You can visit a DPS office at any time to take a new vision test or file a hearing request. If you straightforward let your license expire and reapply, DPS will likely test your vision again and reinstate the restriction if your sight has not improved.
What you cannot do with Restriction B
With Restriction B on your license, you cannot legally drive on interstate highways, US highways with limited access, or state highways with controlled access. You also cannot drive between sunset and sunrise, even on regular city streets or county roads. The restriction applies to all driving, whether for work, personal errands, or any other purpose.
If you are stopped by a police officer while driving in violation of Restriction B — for example, driving on an interstate or after dark — you can receive a citation. The violation is typically classified as driving with a restriction violation, which is separate from a moving violation but still appears on your driving record and can result in a fine.
Some employers, particularly those requiring commercial or long-distance driving, will not hire you if you have Restriction B. If your job requires unrestricted driving, removing the restriction becomes urgent, and you should pursue a vision test or hearing as soon as possible.
Getting a vision test to challenge the restriction
You have two options for vision testing: you can use DPS's own testing at a driver license office, or you can have an eye care professional — an optometrist or ophthalmologist — conduct the test and provide documentation to DPS.
If you choose to use a private eye care provider, ask them to perform a vision test that meets Texas DPS standards for unrestricted driving. The standard is typically 20/40 or better in at least one eye, with or without correction. Once the test is complete, ask the provider for a written report of the results. Bring this report to a DPS office along with your license and a request to remove the restriction based on the new test results.
DPS may accept the private test result and remove the restriction, or it may require you to take an additional test at a DPS office. Either way, having documentation from a professional strengthens your case and shows you are taking the matter seriously.
What happens if you ignore Restriction B
Driving in violation of Restriction B — on an interstate, at night, or both — is illegal in Texas. If you are stopped, you will receive a citation for violating the restriction. This citation goes on your driving record and typically results in a fine. Repeated violations can lead to license suspension or other penalties.
Beyond legal consequences, driving with impaired vision in conditions the restriction was designed to prevent puts you and others at risk. The restriction exists because your vision test showed you are safer in daylight on regular roads. Ignoring it increases the chance of an accident.
If your job requires you to drive outside the restriction's limits, or if you need to drive at night regularly, removing the restriction should be your priority. A vision test or hearing request takes far less time than dealing with citations and fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on a regular road at night with Restriction B?
No. Restriction B prohibits all driving between sunset and sunrise, regardless of the road type. You can only drive during daylight hours on regular roads, county roads, or city streets. Driving at night violates the restriction.
Does Restriction B affect my insurance rates?
Restriction B itself does not automatically raise your insurance rates, but a citation for violating the restriction will. Insurance companies see violations on your driving record and may increase your premiums or drop your coverage.
How long does it take to get a new license after passing a vision test?
If you pass a vision test at a DPS office, you typically receive a temporary license on the spot and your permanent license by mail within a few days. Some offices issue the permanent license when ready, so ask when you visit.
What if I fail the vision test again?
If you fail the vision test a second time, the restriction remains on your license. You can request a hearing to challenge the result, or you can work with an eye care professional to improve your vision through correction, treatment, or other means, then test again later.
Can I request a hearing without taking another vision test first?
Yes. You can request a hearing to dispute the restriction without taking a new test. At the hearing, you can present evidence — such as a report from an eye care professional or documentation of a medical condition — to argue that the restriction should be removed. The hearing officer may order a new vision test as part of the process.