Rest A is a medical restriction that limits when and how you can drive
Rest A on a Texas driver's license means you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. It is a medical restriction issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) when a doctor reports that you have a condition affecting your ability to drive safely during nighttime hours. The restriction appears on the front of your license and is enforced like any other license condition — driving outside the permitted hours is a violation.
The restriction does not mean your license is suspended or that you cannot drive at all. It means your driving privilege is conditional: you can operate a vehicle during daylight and early evening hours, but not during the overnight window when fatigue, reduced visibility, and circadian rhythm effects are most pronounced. If you are stopped by law enforcement during a restricted hour, you can be cited for violating the terms of your license.
Rest A is one of several medical restrictions Texas DPS can impose. Others include restrictions on freeway driving, restrictions on driving in certain counties, or requirements to wear corrective lenses. The specific restriction depends on the medical condition reported and the doctor's assessment of your safe driving window.
Key Takeaways
- Rest A prohibits driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and appears on the front of your Texas driver's license.
- A licensed physician must report a medical condition to DPS that affects your nighttime driving ability for this restriction to be issued.
- Driving during restricted hours is a traffic violation and can result in a citation even if you are otherwise a safe driver.
- You can request that DPS remove the restriction if your medical condition improves or if you obtain a second medical opinion supporting unrestricted driving.
How a Rest A restriction gets placed on your license
A doctor — not DPS — initiates the process. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 521.294, any licensed physician can report to DPS that a person has a medical condition that impairs their ability to drive safely. The report does not require your permission, though in practice many doctors discuss the concern with patients first.
Common conditions that trigger Rest A include sleep disorders (narcolepsy, sleep apnea), seizure disorders, certain medications that cause drowsiness, or progressive neurological conditions. The doctor is not required to specify the diagnosis in the report to DPS — only that the condition affects safe driving during certain hours.
Once DPS receives the report, they send you a notice and may require you to undergo a medical examination by a DPS-designated physician. If that examination confirms the restriction is necessary, DPS will issue a new license with Rest A printed on it. You will receive written notice of the restriction and the reason for it.
What you can and cannot do under Rest A
You can drive during daylight and evening hours — from 5 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. — without limitation. You cannot drive between midnight and 4:59 a.m. This applies every day, including weekends and holidays. There is no exception for emergencies or special circumstances written into the restriction itself, though you could call 911 for a medical emergency rather than drive yourself.
If you are pulled over during a restricted hour, the officer will see Rest A on your license and can cite you for violating the terms of your license. This is a separate violation from any traffic offense you might have committed. The citation can result in a fine and may be used by DPS as evidence that you are not complying with your medical restriction.
You can still hold a valid Texas driver's license and work, run errands, and travel — just not during the overnight window. If your job requires driving at night, you will need to either change jobs or work with your doctor and DPS to remove the restriction.
How to challenge or remove a Rest A restriction
If you believe the restriction is incorrect or if your medical condition has improved, you can request that DPS remove it. The process begins with obtaining a letter from a licensed physician stating that your condition no longer impairs your nighttime driving ability or that the condition was misdiagnosed. This letter should be specific and reference your medical records.
Send the physician's letter to the DPS Medical Advisory Board, which reviews requests to modify or remove medical restrictions. Include a copy of your driver's license and a written request explaining why you believe the restriction should be removed. DPS will review the new medical information and may request an additional examination by a DPS-designated physician.
The review process typically takes several weeks. DPS will notify you in writing of their decision. If they agree to remove the restriction, you will receive a new license without Rest A. If they deny your request, you can request reconsideration with additional medical evidence or seek a second opinion from another physician.
Rest A versus other Texas medical driving restrictions
Texas DPS uses several medical restrictions beyond Rest A. Rest B prohibits driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. — a more severe overnight restriction. Daylight Only restricts you to driving only between sunrise and sunset, which is used for vision conditions. No Freeway prohibits driving on interstate highways. Corrective Lenses requires you to wear glasses or contacts while driving.
Rest A is less restrictive than Rest B because it allows you to drive until midnight rather than 9 p.m. The specific restriction DPS issues depends on the medical condition and the physician's assessment of when your impairment is most severe. If you receive a restriction you believe is too severe, you can request modification through the same process used to challenge Rest A.
What happens if you drive during a Rest A restricted hour
If you are stopped by law enforcement between midnight and 5 a.m., the officer will see Rest A on your license and can issue a citation for violating the terms of your license. This is typically charged as a Class C misdemeanor under Texas Transportation Code Section 521.409, which carries a fine of up to $200.
A violation does not automatically result in license suspension, but it creates a record that DPS can use to determine whether your medical condition is worsening or whether you are unable to comply with restrictions. Multiple violations may prompt DPS to suspend your license or issue a more severe restriction like Rest B or Daylight Only.
If you are involved in an accident while driving during a restricted hour, the violation will be noted in the accident report and may affect insurance claims or legal liability. It can also be used as evidence of negligence if the other party pursues a civil claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during Rest A hours if it is an emergency?
The restriction itself has no emergency exception. However, if you face a true medical emergency, you should call 911 rather than drive yourself. If you are cited for driving during restricted hours, you can explain the emergency circumstances to the court, but the restriction violation itself is still a violation of your license terms.
Will Rest A show up on my driving record or background check?
Rest A appears on your driver's license itself and is visible to law enforcement when they run your license. It does not appear on your driving record (which shows traffic violations and accidents) unless you are cited for violating the restriction. Background checks vary by purpose — employment background checks typically do not include license restrictions, but some professional licensing boards may ask about them.
Can I get a commercial driver's license if I have Rest A?
No. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) have stricter medical standards, and any medical restriction on a regular license will disqualify you from holding a CDL. If you need a CDL for work, you would need to have Rest A removed first, which requires medical documentation that your condition no longer impairs driving.
How long does Rest A stay on my license?
Rest A remains on your license indefinitely until DPS removes it. DPS does not automatically review or remove restrictions after a certain time period. You must request removal by submitting new medical evidence. Some people live with the restriction for years; others have it removed within months if their condition improves or is treated successfully.
What if my doctor says I should not have Rest A but DPS disagrees?
You can request reconsideration by submitting your doctor's letter to the DPS Medical Advisory Board. If DPS continues to disagree, you have the right to request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) to challenge the restriction. You can also obtain a second medical opinion from another physician and submit that as additional evidence for reconsideration.