Driver's License Restrictions Explained
A restriction on your driver's license is a condition that limits how or when you can drive. It does not suspend or revoke your license — you can still drive — but only under specific circumstances. The restriction appears as a code on your license and tells police officers what you are and are not permitted to do behind the wheel.
Restrictions are different from suspensions or revocations. A suspension temporarily takes away your driving privilege; a revocation cancels it entirely. A restriction lets you keep your license but with rules attached. For example, you might be restricted to driving only during daylight hours, or only with corrective lenses, or only to and from work.
Each state uses its own restriction codes, but they all serve the same purpose: to let you drive in situations where you have proven you can do so safely, while protecting public safety in situations where you cannot.
Key Takeaways
- A restriction limits when, where, or how you can drive, but does not take away your license entirely.
- Common restrictions include corrective lenses, daylight-only driving, and driving to and from work or school.
- Restrictions appear as codes on your physical license and are recorded in your state's driving record.
- You can violate a restriction just as you can violate a traffic law, and doing so can result in a ticket or criminal charges.
- Some restrictions are temporary and expire automatically; others remain until you take action to remove them.
Common Types of Driver's License Restrictions
The most frequent restriction is corrective lenses — the code that requires you to wear glasses or contacts while driving. This appears on licenses for people whose vision does not meet the standard without correction. If you are stopped and not wearing your lenses, you can be cited.
A daylight-only restriction means you cannot drive between sunset and sunrise. This restriction is sometimes given to older drivers or people with certain medical conditions that affect night vision. Some states also issue a no-highway restriction, which prohibits driving on interstate highways or limited-access roads.
Occupational or work restrictions allow you to drive only to and from your job, school, or court-ordered programs like substance abuse treatment. You cannot use your license for personal errands or social trips. A vehicle-type restriction limits you to automatic transmission vehicles or prohibits towing, and is sometimes issued after certain violations or medical events.
Some states issue ignition interlock restrictions, which require you to use a breath-testing device before your vehicle will start. This is common after DUI convictions. Others use monitoring restrictions that require you to carry a device that tracks your location or driving patterns.
Why Restrictions Are Placed on a License
Restrictions are imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or your state's equivalent agency, usually for one of three reasons: medical or physical conditions, violations of traffic or criminal law, or age-related concerns.
A corrective lenses restriction is medical — your vision test showed you need correction. A daylight-only restriction might stem from a medical condition like cataracts or macular degeneration. After a DUI conviction, the state imposes an ignition interlock restriction as a condition of keeping your license. After certain traffic violations, the DMV may restrict you to occupational driving only.
Younger drivers sometimes receive restrictions as a condition of a learner's permit or provisional license. Many states require new drivers under 18 to follow restrictions like no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., or no passengers under a certain age, until they reach a certain age or hold their license for a set period.
How to Find Out What Restrictions You Have
Your restrictions appear on the front or back of your physical driver's license as a letter or number code. Each state publishes a key that explains what each code means. You can find this key on your state DMV's website, usually in a section titled "License Codes" or "Restriction Codes."
You can also check your full driving record through your state DMV's online portal or by visiting a DMV office in person. Your record will list every restriction, when it was imposed, and whether it is permanent or temporary. If you are unsure what a code means, call your state DMV's customer service line — they can tell you exactly what the restriction requires.
If you received a restriction recently and do not understand it, check the paperwork that came with your new license or the notice from the DMV. That document should explain the restriction and why it was imposed.
What Happens If You Violate a Restriction
Driving in violation of a restriction is a traffic offense. If you are stopped and found to be breaking a restriction — for example, driving at night when you have a daylight-only restriction, or driving without your corrective lenses — you can receive a citation, a fine, or both.
The severity depends on the restriction and your state's law. A first violation of a corrective lenses restriction might result in a warning or a small fine. Repeated violations or violations of more serious restrictions can lead to points on your record, license suspension, or criminal charges. Violating an ignition interlock restriction, for example, is often treated as a criminal offense.
If you accumulate too many violations, your license can be suspended or revoked entirely, even if the original restriction was minor. This is why it is important to follow restrictions exactly as written.
How to Remove or Modify a Restriction
Some restrictions are temporary and expire automatically on a date set by the DMV. Others require you to take action. The process depends on why the restriction was placed.
For medical restrictions like corrective lenses, you generally cannot remove the restriction yourself — it will remain as long as your condition requires correction. However, if your vision improves and you no longer need glasses, you can request a vision test at the DMV. If you pass without correction, the restriction can be removed.
For occupational restrictions, you typically must petition the DMV or a court to have them lifted. You may need to show that the reason for the restriction no longer applies — for example, that you have completed a DUI program or that your job situation has changed. Some states allow you to request a hearing to challenge the restriction.
For age-related restrictions on provisional licenses, they expire automatically when you reach the required age or have held your license for the required time. You do not need to do anything; the restriction straightforward falls away.
Contact your state DMV to learn the specific process for your restriction. They can tell you whether it is temporary or permanent, what you need to do to remove it, and what forms or documentation to submit.
Restrictions vs. Suspensions and Revocations
It is straightforward to confuse these three terms, but they mean very different things. A restriction lets you drive under certain conditions. A suspension temporarily takes away your right to drive entirely — you cannot drive at all, even to work or school, until the suspension ends. A revocation cancels your license permanently or for a very long time, and you must reapply and pass all tests to get a new one.
If you have a restriction, you still have a valid license and can drive within the limits of that restriction. If you have a suspension, your license is invalid and driving at all is illegal. If you have a revocation, your license is gone and you must go through the full licensing process again.
Some people receive both: for example, a restriction on an ignition interlock device, plus a suspension for a certain number of months, followed by the restriction taking effect when the suspension ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a restriction if I do not follow it?
No. Driving in violation of a restriction is illegal and can result in a ticket, fine, or criminal charges. The restriction is a legal condition of your license, and breaking it is treated like breaking any other traffic law.
Will a restriction show up on my record if I rent a car?
Yes. When a rental company runs your driving record, they will see all restrictions. Many rental companies will not rent to you if you have certain restrictions, particularly ignition interlock or occupational restrictions. Call ahead to ask about their policy.
Do restrictions transfer if I move to another state?
No. Your old state's restrictions do not automatically carry over. However, when you explore for a new license in your new state, you must disclose your driving history, and the new state may impose its own restrictions based on that history. Some states will honor restrictions from your previous state; others will not.
How long does a restriction stay on my license?
It depends on the type. Medical restrictions like corrective lenses remain as long as the condition exists. Age-related restrictions on provisional licenses expire automatically. Restrictions imposed after violations may last a set number of years, or may be permanent. Check your DMV paperwork or call your state DMV to find out the expiration date of your specific restriction.
Can I get a restriction removed early?
Sometimes. For medical restrictions, you can request a new vision or medical test. For restrictions imposed after violations, you may be able to petition the DMV or a court for early removal, but this varies by state and by the type of restriction. Contact your state DMV to learn whether early removal is possible in your case.