Restriction B is a corrective lens requirement

Restriction B on your Texas driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The Texas Department of Public Safety adds this restriction when your vision test shows you need correction to meet the state's minimum vision standard of 20/40 in each eye.

This is not a medical diagnosis or a judgment about your eyesight in daily life. It is a legal condition on your driving privilege. If you drive without the required lenses, you are violating the terms of your license, even if you feel you can see well enough. A police officer can cite you for this violation separately from any other traffic offense.

The restriction stays on your license until you pass a vision test without it. You can request a new vision test at any Texas Department of Public Safety office. If you have had corrective surgery or a change in your prescription, bring your current eyeglass prescription or a letter from your eye doctor stating your corrected vision meets the standard.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses whenever you operate a vehicle in Texas.
  • The restriction appears on your license because your uncorrected vision does not meet Texas's minimum standard of 20/40 in each eye.
  • Driving without the required lenses is a separate violation and can result in a citation even if no other traffic offense occurs.
  • You can remove the restriction by passing a vision test without correction at any DPS office.

How the vision test determines restrictions

When you take your vision test at the DPS office, the examiner tests your eyesight both with and without correction. If your uncorrected vision is below 20/40 but your corrected vision meets or exceeds 20/40, the examiner will add Restriction B to your license.

Texas law does not require perfect vision. The 20/40 standard means you can see at 20 feet what a person with standard vision can see at 40 feet. Many people with Restriction B drive safely for decades. The restriction straightforward documents that you need correction to meet the legal minimum.

If your corrected vision still falls below 20/40, you will not receive a license at all. The DPS will tell you to return after your prescription has been updated or after you have had corrective surgery.

What happens if you drive without your lenses

Driving without the required corrective lenses when Restriction B is on your license is a violation of Texas Transportation Code Section 502.409. A police officer can pull you over and cite you for this offense alone, without any other traffic violation occurring.

The citation is typically a misdemeanor. Penalties can include a fine, points on your driving record, and possible suspension of your license. The violation also creates a record that may affect insurance rates or future license renewal decisions.

If you are involved in an accident while driving without correction, the violation strengthens a claim that you were negligent. Insurance companies may deny a claim or reduce coverage if they discover you violated the restriction.

How to remove Restriction B from your license

To remove Restriction B, you must pass a vision test without correction at a Texas DPS office. You do not need an appointment at most locations, though wait times vary. Bring your current driver's license and be prepared to pay the vision test fee, which is typically a few dollars.

If your vision has improved due to corrective surgery such as LASIK or PRK, bring documentation from your eye surgeon showing your corrected vision now meets the standard. If your prescription has changed, bring your current eyeglass prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

After you pass the test without correction, the DPS will issue you a new license without Restriction B. This usually takes a few minutes if you are at the office in person. If you fail the test, you will need to continue wearing correction or explore other options with your eye care provider.

Other common Texas driver's license restrictions

Restriction B is one of several codes the DPS uses to note conditions on your driving privilege. Restriction A requires corrective lenses and also limits you to daylight driving only. Restriction C requires an outside left mirror. Restriction D requires an automatic transmission.

Some restrictions address medical conditions. Restriction E limits you to vehicles with power steering. Restriction F requires a hearing aid. Others address age or licensing type — for example, restrictions on towing or passenger capacity for certain commercial licenses.

You can see all restrictions on your license by looking at the back of your physical card or checking your driving record through the DPS website. If you believe a restriction was added in error, contact your local DPS office with documentation from your eye doctor or medical provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear contact lenses instead of glasses to satisfy Restriction B?

Yes. Restriction B requires corrective lenses but does not specify glasses. Contact lenses, glasses, or any combination of the two satisfies the restriction. You must have the correction with you and in use while driving — you cannot straightforward have glasses in the car if you are wearing contacts.

Will Restriction B affect my insurance rates?

Most insurance companies do not charge extra for Restriction B itself. However, if you receive a citation for driving without the required lenses, that violation will appear on your driving record and may increase your rates. The violation, not the restriction, is what affects your premium.

Do I need to renew my license to remove Restriction B after eye surgery?

No. You can visit a DPS office at any time to take a new vision test. If you pass without correction, the DPS will issue a replacement license without the restriction when ready. You do not have to wait for your regular renewal date.

What if I fail the vision test without correction but pass with correction?

Restriction B will remain on your license. You must continue to wear corrective lenses when driving. If your prescription has changed, visit an eye care provider to update it, then return to the DPS to test again. Some people need multiple prescription updates before they can pass without correction.

Is Restriction B the same as a medical suspension?

No. Restriction B is a condition on your license that allows you to drive with correction. A medical suspension removes your driving privilege entirely until you meet specific health requirements. Restriction B is far less severe and does not prevent you from driving as long as you wear your lenses.