A restriction limits what you can do while driving, but doesn't suspend your license
A restriction on your driver's license is a condition that limits how or when you can drive. Unlike a suspension, which takes your license away entirely, a restriction lets you keep your license but requires you to follow specific rules. Common restrictions include wearing corrective lenses, driving only during daylight hours, or driving only to work and medical appointments.
Restrictions appear on your license as codes or notations. When a police officer checks your license during a traffic stop, they can see these restrictions. Driving in violation of a restriction — for example, driving at night when your restriction says daylight only — can result in a ticket and additional penalties, even if you're otherwise following traffic laws.
The state motor vehicle department that issued your license decides what restrictions explore to you. Some restrictions are permanent unless you take action to remove them (like getting new glasses if you have a vision restriction). Others expire on a set date or after you meet certain conditions.
Key Takeaways
- A restriction limits how, when, or where you can drive, but you keep your license and can still legally drive under those conditions.
- Common restrictions include corrective lenses, daylight-only driving, or driving only to specific places like work or school.
- Violating a restriction can result in a ticket and fines, even if you were otherwise driving safely and legally.
- Some restrictions are permanent until you remove the cause (like getting glasses), while others expire on a date set by your state.
- You can find your restrictions by checking your physical license, your state's online license lookup, or contacting your local DMV office.
Why restrictions appear on licenses
Restrictions are added to protect you and other drivers. If you have poor vision, a daylight-only restriction ensures you're not driving when visibility is low. If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely, a restriction to specific routes or times keeps you off highways or busy roads where quick reactions matter most.
Some restrictions come from test results. If you fail the vision portion of your driving test but pass everything else, you'll get a corrective lenses restriction. Others come from medical reports — if your doctor tells the DMV you have a condition that affects driving, the state may add a restriction rather than suspend your license outright.
A few restrictions are legal requirements. For example, some states restrict drivers under 18 from driving between midnight and 5 a.m., or from driving with passengers their own age. These are called graduated licensing restrictions and exist in most states.
Common types of restrictions and what they mean
The most frequent restriction is corrective lenses — you must wear glasses or contacts whenever you drive. This appears on your license if you failed the vision test without correction but passed with it. You must have your glasses or contacts in the car and on your face while driving, even for short trips.
A daylight-only restriction means you cannot drive between sunset and sunrise, or between specific hours like 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. This restriction is sometimes given to older drivers or those with certain medical conditions that affect night vision or reaction time.
Automatic transmission only is a restriction for drivers who took their test in an automatic car. You can only drive automatic transmission vehicles; driving a manual transmission car violates the restriction. This restriction is common in states where the driving test can be taken in either type of vehicle.
A route restriction limits where you can drive — for example, to and from work only, or within a certain distance of your home. This is less common and usually comes from a medical evaluation or a court order related to a DUI or reckless driving case.
Some states use interlock device restrictions after a DUI conviction. You must have an ignition interlock device installed in your car, which requires you to pass a breath test before the engine starts. You can still drive, but only with this device active.
How to find out what restrictions you have
The easiest way is to look at your physical driver's license. Restrictions are printed on the back or on the front, depending on your state. They usually appear as a code (like "01" for corrective lenses) followed by a description. Your state's DMV website should have a key that explains what each code means.
If you can't find the information on your license, most states let you check online through their DMV portal. You'll need your license number, date of birth, and sometimes your Social Security number. Search "[your state] DMV check license status" or "[your state] DMV online services" to find the portal.
You can also call or visit your local DMV office in person. Bring your license and a photo ID. Staff can print out a full record of your license status, including all restrictions, their codes, and whether any have expiration dates.
How to remove or change a restriction
The process depends on the type of restriction. For a corrective lenses restriction, you need to pass a vision test without the restriction. Visit your DMV with proof of a recent eye exam showing you now meet the vision standard without correction, or take the vision portion of the driving test again. If you pass, the restriction is removed.
For a daylight-only or medical restriction, you typically need a letter from a doctor stating that the condition has improved or been treated. Submit this to your state's medical review unit or directly to the DMV, depending on your state's process. The DMV will review the letter and may remove the restriction or schedule you for a re-evaluation.
For an automatic transmission only restriction, you must take the driving test again in a manual transmission vehicle and pass. Once you pass, the restriction is lifted and you can drive either type of transmission.
Some restrictions cannot be removed — they expire automatically on a set date. Check your license or your DMV record to see if an expiration date is listed. If it is, the restriction will fall off on that date without any action from you.
What happens if you drive with a violated restriction
Driving in violation of a restriction is a traffic violation in all states. If you're stopped by police and they see you've broken a restriction, you can receive a ticket and a fine. The fine amount varies by state but typically ranges from $50 to $200 for a first violation.
A restriction violation can also affect your insurance. Your insurer may increase your rates or drop your coverage if they learn you were cited for violating a license restriction. This is especially true for violations of medical or daylight-only restrictions, which suggest you drove in a way your state deemed unsafe for you.
Repeated violations of the same restriction can lead to license suspension. If you're cited multiple times for driving without corrective lenses or for driving outside your allowed hours, the DMV may suspend your license entirely for a set period.
Restrictions versus suspensions and revocations
A restriction lets you drive under certain conditions. A suspension takes your license away for a set time — you cannot drive at all during the suspension period. After the suspension ends, your license is automatically restored (though you may need to pay a reinstatement fee).
A revocation is permanent or long-term removal of your license. You cannot drive, and you must go through a formal process — usually including a hearing and reapplication — to get your license back. Revocations typically follow serious violations like multiple DUIs or reckless driving causing injury.
If you have a restriction, you still have driving privileges. If you have a suspension or revocation, you do not. This is the key difference that affects what you can legally do behind the wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without following my restriction?
No. Driving in violation of a restriction is a traffic violation and can result in a ticket, fine, and points on your driving record. It may also lead to insurance rate increases or license suspension if violations repeat.
Do restrictions show up on background checks?
Restrictions on your driver's license are not typically visible on criminal background checks. However, they are part of your driving record, which employers, insurance companies, and courts can access if they have a reason to look.
Can I get a restriction removed before the expiration date?
Yes, if you can show the reason for the restriction no longer applies. For vision restrictions, pass a vision test. For medical restrictions, provide a doctor's letter. For automatic transmission restrictions, pass a driving test in a manual car. Requirements vary by state.
What if I move to a different state with a restriction on my license?
When you transfer your license to a new state, restrictions usually transfer as well. However, some states may not recognize certain restrictions or may have different codes. Contact your new state's DMV to confirm what restrictions will appear on your new license.
Does a restriction affect my insurance rates?
Most restrictions do not directly affect rates, but violations of restrictions do. If you're cited for breaking a restriction, your insurer will likely see it and may increase your rates. Medical or daylight-only restrictions may also signal higher risk to some insurers.