Restriction B is a corrective lens requirement
Restriction B on a Texas driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) adds this restriction when your vision test shows you need correction to meet the state's minimum visual acuity standard of 20/40 in each eye.
The restriction appears as a code on the front of your license, usually in the lower left corner where other restrictions are listed. It is not optional: driving without the required correction when Restriction B is on your license is a violation, and you can be cited even if your vision is otherwise adequate.
This restriction is one of the most common ones issued in Texas. It does not limit where you can drive or what vehicle you can operate — only that you must correct your vision while doing so.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle, as determined by your vision test at the time of licensing.
- The restriction is added by TxDPS when your uncorrected vision does not meet the state minimum of 20/40 in each eye, but your corrected vision does.
- You can be cited for driving with Restriction B on your license if you are not wearing the required correction.
- If your vision improves or you want to remove the restriction, you must pass a new vision test at a TxDPS office or an approved vision testing location.
How TxDPS determines if you need Restriction B
When you renew your license or explore for a new one in Texas, you take a vision screening at the TxDPS office. The screener tests each eye separately, both with and without correction. If your uncorrected vision is worse than 20/40 in either eye but your corrected vision meets or exceeds 20/40, TxDPS will add Restriction B to your license.
The 20/40 standard is a legal minimum, not a recommendation. It means you can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 40 feet. If you cannot meet this standard even with correction, TxDPS will not issue you a license at all, or will restrict your driving to daylight hours only (Restriction D) or impose other limitations.
You do not need to bring your own glasses or contacts to the vision test. TxDPS has a trial lens kit on hand, and the screener will use it to find the correction that brings you to the legal standard. The restriction is based on what you need to meet that standard, not on what you currently wear.
What happens if you drive without the required correction
Driving with Restriction B on your license while not wearing corrective lenses is a traffic violation in Texas. A law enforcement officer can cite you for this violation during a traffic stop, even if you were not involved in an accident or driving recklessly. The citation is separate from any other violations you might receive.
The penalty for violating a license restriction is typically a fine, which varies by county and court. You may also face points on your driving record, which can affect your insurance rates and your ability to renew your license without additional testing. Repeat violations can lead to license suspension.
If you are stopped and cannot produce the required correction, you may also be cited for driving without a valid license, which carries more serious consequences than a straightforward restriction violation.
How to remove Restriction B from your license
To remove Restriction B, you must pass a new vision test that shows your uncorrected vision now meets the 20/40 standard in each eye. This can happen if your vision has naturally improved, though this is uncommon in adults. More often, people request a retest if they believe the original test was inaccurate or if they have had vision correction surgery.
You can take a vision retest at any TxDPS office during regular business hours. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay the retest fee, which is typically a few dollars. The screener will test both eyes without correction. If you pass, TxDPS will issue you a new license without Restriction B, usually within a few days.
If you have had LASIK, PRK, or another refractive surgery, you may be able to pass the uncorrected vision test afterward. However, you must wait the recommended healing period (usually several weeks to months, depending on the procedure) before retesting. Bring documentation of your surgery if you have it, though TxDPS does not require it to perform the retest.
Restriction B versus other vision-related restrictions
Texas uses several vision-related restrictions, and Restriction B is the most straightforward. Restriction D means you can drive only during daylight hours and is issued when your corrected vision is between 20/40 and 20/70. Restriction E limits you to daylight driving and speeds under 45 mph, issued for vision between 20/70 and 20/100. Restriction F is a daylight-only restriction for vision between 20/100 and 20/200.
Unlike these other restrictions, Restriction B does not limit when or where you can drive — only that you must wear correction. If you have Restriction B and your corrected vision is good, you can drive at night, on highways, and in any weather. The restriction straightforward requires the correction to be in place.
What to do if you disagree with the vision test result
If you believe the vision test at TxDPS was inaccurate, you have options. You can request an when ready retest at the same office, though you will pay the retest fee again. You can also have your own eye doctor perform a vision test and provide documentation of the results. Some TxDPS offices will accept an eye doctor's letter stating your corrected vision meets the legal standard, though this varies by location.
If TxDPS refuses to remove the restriction based on your eye doctor's documentation, you can file a complaint with TxDPS or request a hearing through the administrative process. Contact your local TxDPS office for the specific procedure in your area, as it can vary.
Keep in mind that TxDPS uses a specific vision chart and testing procedure, and results can vary slightly depending on lighting, the equipment used, and how the test is administered. If you are borderline on the 20/40 standard, a retest on a different day or at a different location might produce different results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with Restriction B if I wear contacts instead of glasses?
Yes. Restriction B requires corrective lenses, which includes both glasses and contact lenses. As long as you are wearing one or the other while driving, you are complying with the restriction. You do not have to wear the same type of correction you wore during your vision test.
Does Restriction B affect my insurance rates?
Restriction B itself does not typically affect your insurance rates. However, if you are cited for violating the restriction — driving without correction — the resulting points and citation will likely increase your rates. Maintaining the restriction and following it prevents this problem.
What if I lost my glasses and cannot drive?
If you have Restriction B and your glasses are lost or broken, you should not drive until you have replacement correction. You can be cited for driving with the restriction violated. Get your glasses or contacts replaced as quickly as possible, or arrange alternative transportation in the meantime.
Will Restriction B show up on my driving record when I explore for a job?
Restriction B appears on your license itself, not on your driving record. Employers who run a background check will see your license restrictions. Some employers, particularly those hiring for commercial driving or safety-sensitive positions, may have concerns, though Restriction B is common and typically not disqualifying for most jobs.
Can I get a commercial driver's license with Restriction B?
Yes, you can hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) with Restriction B. However, you must meet stricter vision standards for a CDL than for a regular license. If you are explore for a CDL, you will undergo a separate vision test, and the restriction will be noted on your CDL as well.