Restriction G is a requirement to wear corrective lenses while driving

Restriction G on your Texas driver's license means you must wear eyeglasses 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 drive safely. If you drive without your corrective lenses when Restriction G is on your license, you can be cited for a traffic violation.

This restriction appears on your license card itself — you'll see the letter "G" printed in the restrictions section. It's one of the most common restrictions issued, and it exists because uncorrected vision creates a real safety risk on the road. The restriction stays on your license until you request it be removed and pass a new vision test without needing correction.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction G requires you to wear glasses or contacts every time you operate a vehicle, and driving without them is a traffic violation.
  • The restriction is added during your license test or renewal if the vision examiner determines you need correction to see the road clearly.
  • You can request removal of Restriction G by visiting a Texas DPS office and passing a vision test that shows you no longer need correction.
  • If you wear contacts, make sure you have them in before you drive; if you wear glasses, keep them on you and put them on before starting the engine.

How Restriction G gets added to your license

Restriction G is added during your vision screening at the Texas DPS office. When you take your written test for a new license or renew an existing one, you sit at a vision machine that checks how clearly you can see. If the machine shows you need correction — meaning your uncorrected vision is below the legal standard — the examiner will add Restriction G to your license.

You don't have to do anything to get this restriction; it's automatic based on the test result. The examiner isn't making a judgment call — the machine produces a measurement, and if that measurement falls below the threshold, the restriction is added. Texas law requires this because driving with uncorrected vision that falls below the standard puts you and others at risk.

What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses

Driving without your glasses or contacts when Restriction G is on your license is a traffic violation. If a police officer stops you and discovers you were driving without correction, you can receive a citation. This is separate from any other traffic violation you might have committed — it's specifically a violation of your license restriction.

The penalty varies, but it typically results in a fine and can add points to your driving record. More importantly, driving without the correction you need is genuinely dangerous. Your reaction time, ability to read signs, and ability to spot hazards all depend on seeing clearly. The restriction exists because the state has determined that your uncorrected vision creates a measurable safety problem.

How to remove Restriction G from your license

To remove Restriction G, you need to visit a Texas DPS office and take another vision test. You'll need to bring your current driver's license and proof of identity. The vision examiner will test your uncorrected vision first. If your vision now meets the legal standard without correction, the restriction can be removed.

There's no waiting period — if you pass the test, the restriction is removed that day. However, if your vision still requires correction, the restriction stays on your license. Some people remove Restriction G after having vision correction surgery like LASIK, or if their vision naturally improves. Others keep the restriction for years because they continue to need glasses or contacts.

The difference between Restriction G and other vision-related restrictions

Texas has other vision restrictions besides G. Restriction H requires you to wear a protective lens or device (like a special contact lens or protective eyewear) if you have vision in only one eye. Restriction J means you must wear a hearing aid. These are less common than Restriction G, but they work the same way — they're requirements printed on your license that you must follow every time you drive.

Restriction G is purely about needing eyeglasses or contact lenses for normal vision correction. It doesn't mean you have a serious eye condition or that your license is limited in any other way. You can drive anywhere, at any time of day, and for any distance — you just have to be wearing your corrective lenses.

What to keep in mind if you have Restriction G

The most important thing is to make wearing your glasses or contacts a habit before you drive. Put them on before you start the engine, not after you're already on the road. If you wear contacts, keep a backup pair of glasses in your car in case a contact tears or falls out. If you wear glasses, keep them somewhere accessible — not in the trunk or glove compartment where you can't reach them quickly.

If your vision changes — if you notice you're having trouble seeing even with your current correction — schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Your prescription may need updating. Driving with an outdated prescription is still driving without adequate correction, and it defeats the purpose of the restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a ticket just for having Restriction G on my license?

No. You get a ticket only if you're caught driving without your corrective lenses when the restriction is on your license. Having the restriction itself is not a violation — it's a requirement you must follow.

What if I lost my glasses and need to drive?

You should not drive without your corrective lenses if Restriction G is on your license. If you've lost your glasses, get them replaced or use a backup pair before driving. If you have no way to correct your vision when ready, arrange alternative transportation.

Do I have to tell the officer I have Restriction G if I'm pulled over?

You should have your glasses or contacts on when you're driving, so the officer will see you're complying with the restriction. If you're pulled over and you're not wearing them, tell the officer when ready — it's better to be honest than to have them discover it during the stop.

Will Restriction G affect my insurance rates?

Restriction G itself doesn't affect your rates. However, if you get a ticket for driving without your corrective lenses, that violation can increase your rates just like any other traffic citation would.

Can I remove Restriction G online or by mail?

No. You must visit a Texas DPS office in person to take the vision test. You cannot remove the restriction remotely or through the mail.