A B restriction on your Texas driver license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — whenever you drive

The Texas Department of Public Safety adds a B restriction to your license if the vision test during your exam shows you need correction to drive safely. You cannot legally drive without wearing the corrective lenses specified on your license. If you are stopped by law enforcement and are not wearing them, you can be cited for a violation, even if your vision is otherwise acceptable.

The restriction appears on the front of your license as a small code. It does not prevent you from driving or limit where you can drive — it only requires that you have your corrective lenses with you and in use at all times behind the wheel. This is a safety measure, not a penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • A B restriction requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive, as determined by your vision test at the license office.
  • Driving without your corrective lenses while under a B restriction is a traffic violation that can result in a citation.
  • You can have the restriction removed by passing a vision test without correction at a Texas DPS office.
  • If your vision changes or improves, you can request a new vision test during license renewal or at any time between renewals.

How the B restriction gets added to your license

When you take the vision screening at a Texas DPS office during a license exam or renewal, the examiner tests your vision with and without correction. If you cannot read the required line on the eye chart without glasses or contacts but can with them, the examiner will add the B restriction to your license.

The restriction is added automatically — you do not have to request it. It is based solely on the results of that vision test on that day. The examiner does not require a prescription from an eye doctor; the test at the DPS office is the only measure used to determine whether the restriction applies.

Removing a B restriction from your license

You can have the B restriction removed by returning to a Texas DPS office and passing a vision test without wearing your corrective lenses. If you can read the required line on the eye chart without glasses or contacts, the examiner will remove the restriction from your license at that time.

You do not need a letter from an eye doctor or any outside documentation. The vision test at the DPS office is the only requirement. Many people have the restriction removed during their next license renewal, but you can also request a vision retest at any time between renewals — there is no waiting period.

What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses

Driving without your corrective lenses while a B restriction is on your license is a traffic violation. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can be cited. The citation is separate from any other traffic violation you might have committed — it is specifically for violating the terms of your license restriction.

The consequences vary depending on the officer and the circumstances, but the violation can result in a fine and points on your driving record. It may also affect your insurance rates. The safest and simplest approach is to keep your corrective lenses with you whenever you drive and to wear them before you start the vehicle.

B restriction and commercial or specialized licenses

If you hold a commercial driver license (CDL) in Texas, vision requirements are stricter than for a regular license. A B restriction on a CDL means you must wear corrective lenses, just as with a regular license, but you may also face additional restrictions or requirements depending on the type of commercial driving you do.

If you are pursuing a CDL or a specialized license (such as a motorcycle endorsement), discuss your vision correction needs with the DPS examiner before your test. Some endorsements or license classes have their own vision standards, and corrective lenses may affect your options.

Renewing your license with a B restriction

When you renew your Texas driver license, you will take another vision test. If you still need corrective lenses to pass the test, the B restriction will remain on your new license. If your vision has improved and you can pass the test without correction, the restriction will be removed.

You can renew your license online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office, depending on your age and how long it has been since your last renewal. If you renew online or by mail, you will not take a new vision test, and your current restrictions will carry over to your new license. To have a vision retest, you must renew in person at a DPS office or request a separate vision test between renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with contact lenses instead of glasses if I have a B restriction?

Yes. The restriction requires corrective lenses — either glasses or contacts. As long as you are wearing one or the other, you are in compliance. Make sure your prescription is current and that your contacts or glasses provide the vision correction you need to drive safely.

Does a B restriction affect my insurance rates?

The restriction itself does not automatically raise your rates. However, if you are cited for driving without your corrective lenses, that violation can appear on your driving record and may affect your rates. Insurers review your driving history, not the restrictions on your license.

What if I forget my glasses at home and have a B restriction?

You should not drive. Driving without your corrective lenses is a violation of your license restriction and is unsafe. If you forget them, find another way to get where you need to go or go back home to retrieve them.

Can I get a B restriction removed without taking a vision test?

No. The only way to remove the restriction is to pass a vision test without corrective lenses at a Texas DPS office. There is no other process or documentation that will remove it.