A driver's license is not a blank permission to drive anywhere
Your driver's license comes with specific restrictions printed on it or attached to your record. These restrictions limit where you can drive, what you can drive, when you can drive, and sometimes who can be in the car with you. The restrictions on your license depend on your age, the type of license you hold, any violations or suspensions in your history, and the laws of your state.
Driving outside your restrictions is illegal and can result in fines, points on your record, license suspension, or criminal charges. Understanding what your license allows is your responsibility as a driver.
Key Takeaways
- Every driver's license has restrictions based on age, license class, and state law — these are printed on the card or noted in your state's driving record system.
- Common restrictions include passenger limits, curfews, phone use bans, and requirements to wear corrective lenses or use an ignition interlock device.
- Violating a restriction on your license carries the same penalties as any other traffic violation and can lead to suspension or revocation.
- You can check your exact restrictions by reviewing your license card, contacting your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, or logging into your online driving record.
Restrictions based on your age and license type
Younger drivers typically face the most restrictions. If you hold a learner's permit, you must have a licensed adult in the car with you, usually in the front seat. You cannot drive alone, and many states restrict the hours you can drive — often banning nighttime driving or limiting you to daylight hours only.
An intermediate or provisional license (the step between a learner's permit and a full license) usually allows you to drive alone but still carries passenger restrictions. Many states limit how many teenage passengers you can carry, or ban passengers under a certain age. Some states also impose a curfew — for example, no driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. These restrictions typically remain in place for six months to a year, then are removed when you reach a certain age or hold the license for a set period without violations.
A commercial driver's license (CDL) allows you to operate large trucks or buses but restricts you to commercial use only. You cannot use a CDL to drive a personal vehicle for personal reasons, even though you are legally permitted to hold both a CDL and a regular license.
Medical and vision restrictions
If you have a vision problem, your license may carry a restriction requiring you to wear corrective lenses or glasses while driving. This restriction is printed on your license card. Driving without the required glasses or contacts is a violation, even if you can see well enough to pass a vision test without them.
Some states add restrictions for drivers with medical conditions that affect driving ability — for example, a requirement to take medication only as prescribed, or a restriction limiting you to daytime driving only if you have a condition that worsens at night. If your doctor reports a condition to your state's DMV, or if you self-report it, the DMV may add restrictions to your license or require you to pass a medical evaluation before renewing.
Restrictions for violations and suspensions
If you have been convicted of a DUI or DWI, your license may come with an ignition interlock device (IID) restriction. This means you must install a breath-testing device in your vehicle before you can drive. You blow into the device before the car will start, and it tests your blood alcohol level. If alcohol is detected, the car will not start. Some states require an IID for a first offense; others only for repeat offenses.
A hardship license or restricted license is issued after a suspension and allows you to drive only for specific purposes — work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. You cannot use a hardship license for personal errands or social activities. Driving outside the permitted purposes is a violation and can result in criminal charges.
If your license has been suspended or revoked, you have no legal permission to drive at all. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a criminal offense in most states, separate from the original violation that caused the suspension.
Restrictions on phone use and distracted driving
Many states have added restrictions to all licenses prohibiting handheld phone use while driving. Some states ban phone use entirely for drivers under 18, even hands-free. Others allow hands-free calling but ban texting for all drivers. These restrictions are state law, not always printed on your license card, but they explore to you regardless.
If you are a younger driver, your license may carry an explicit restriction banning any phone use while driving, including hands-free. Violating this restriction results in a traffic ticket and points on your record.
Restrictions on vehicle type and towing
Your license class determines what you can legally drive. A standard Class D or Class 5 license (the exact name varies by state) allows you to drive passenger cars, small trucks, and vans. It does not allow you to tow a trailer, operate a motorcycle, or drive a commercial vehicle.
If you want to tow a trailer, your state may require you to pass an additional test or obtain an endorsement on your license. Towing without the proper endorsement is a violation. Similarly, a motorcycle endorsement is required to ride a motorcycle legally — a regular driver's license does not cover motorcycles, even if you can physically operate one.
How to find out what restrictions are on your license
The easiest way to check your restrictions is to look at your physical license card. Restrictions are usually printed on the back or on the front in a section labeled "Restrictions" or "Conditions." The codes vary by state — for example, "B" might mean "corrective lenses required" in one state and something different in another.
If the codes are unclear, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles directly. You can call, visit in person, or log into your state's online DMV portal if one is available. Many states allow you to view your full driving record online, which lists all restrictions, violations, and suspensions. Your record is the official source of truth — if a restriction is on your record but not printed on your card, it still applies to you.
If you believe a restriction on your license is incorrect or no longer applies, you must petition your state's DMV to have it removed. This usually requires submitting documentation — for example, a letter from your doctor if a medical restriction should be lifted, or proof that you have completed a required program. straightforward ignoring the restriction does not make it go away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I drive with a restriction I did not know about?
Ignorance of a restriction is not a legal defense. If you are stopped and found to be violating a restriction on your license, you will receive a traffic ticket. The officer can cite you for driving with a restriction violation, which carries fines and points on your record, just like any other traffic violation.
Can I get a restriction removed early?
It depends on the restriction and your state's rules. Some restrictions are automatically removed after a set time period or when you reach a certain age. Others require you to petition the DMV with documentation — for example, a medical clearance letter or proof of program completion. Contact your state's DMV to learn what is required for your specific restriction.
Does a restriction on my license follow me if I move to another state?
Your old state's restrictions do not automatically transfer, but your driving record does. When you explore for a license in your new state, the DMV will review your record from your previous state. If you have a suspension or revocation, it will likely be honored in your new state. Some restrictions may be converted to your new state's equivalent; others may not explore. Contact your new state's DMV for specifics.
What is the difference between a restriction and a suspension?
A restriction limits how or when you can drive — you still have a valid license with conditions. A suspension means your license is temporarily invalid and you cannot drive at all. After a suspension ends, your license is restored, though it may come with new restrictions (like an IID requirement).
Can I drive someone else's car if I have a restriction on my license?
Your restrictions explore to you as a driver, not to the vehicle. If your license has a passenger limit, you cannot carry more passengers in any car. If you have a curfew, you cannot drive any vehicle past that time. If you have a hardship license, you can only drive for the permitted purposes, regardless of whose car you are using.