The B restriction limits you to daylight driving only
A B restriction on a Texas driver's license means you can only drive during daylight hours — typically from sunrise to sunset. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) places this restriction on your license when your vision does not meet the standard for unrestricted driving, but is good enough for daytime operation.
This is not a temporary mark or a warning. It is a legal condition of your driving privilege. If you drive outside daylight hours with a B restriction, you are breaking the law, and law enforcement can cite you for a violation. The restriction appears on the front of your physical license card.
The B restriction is one of several vision-related restrictions Texas uses. Others include the K restriction (which requires corrective lenses) and the L restriction (which limits you to vehicles with an automatic transmission). You can have more than one restriction on the same license.
Key Takeaways
- A B restriction means you can only drive between sunrise and sunset, and driving outside those hours is a traffic violation.
- Texas DPS places the B restriction when your vision test shows you do not meet the standard for unrestricted driving but can drive safely during daylight.
- The restriction appears on your physical license card and is checked during traffic stops and license renewals.
- You can request a vision retest to remove the restriction if your vision has improved or if you believe the original test was inaccurate.
Why Texas DPS adds a B restriction during your vision test
During a license test or renewal, a DPS examiner checks your vision using a machine called a visual acuity screener. The standard for unrestricted driving in Texas is 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction. If your vision falls below that standard but is still safe for daylight driving — typically 20/70 or better — the examiner will add the B restriction instead of denying your license.
The restriction exists because daylight driving is generally safer than night driving. You have more natural light, fewer glare issues from oncoming headlights, and better depth perception. Night driving requires sharper vision to read signs at distance, judge speed, and react to hazards in low light. If your vision does not support that demand, the restriction keeps you off the road when the risk is highest.
You do not have to accept the restriction. If you disagree with the test result, you can request an when ready retest at the same DPS office. If you fail the retest, you can also see an eye doctor and bring their report to DPS to challenge the restriction.
What you cannot do with a B restriction
With a B restriction, you cannot drive between sunset and sunrise. This includes early morning hours before dawn and evening hours after dusk. The exact times shift with the seasons, so what counts as "daylight" in June is different from December. If you are unsure whether it is legal to drive at a particular time, the safest approach is to check a sunrise-sunset table for your location on that date.
You also cannot drive in conditions that reduce daylight visibility — heavy fog, dust storms, or rain so severe that headlights are required. Even if the clock says it is daytime, if visibility is so poor that you would normally use headlights, you should not drive.
If you are stopped by police during restricted hours, the officer will cite you for violating your license restriction. This is a separate violation from any other traffic offense and can result in a fine. Repeated violations can lead to license suspension.
How to remove a B restriction from your license
The most direct way to remove a B restriction is to request a vision retest at any Texas DPS office. You do not need an appointment for a vision test — you can walk in during business hours. The test is free and takes about five minutes. If you pass the unrestricted vision standard (20/40 in each eye with or without correction), the examiner will remove the restriction on the spot and issue you a new license.
If you fail the retest, you have another option: visit an eye doctor and ask them to perform a vision test. Bring the results to a DPS office. If the eye doctor's report shows you meet the unrestricted standard, DPS will remove the restriction based on that professional evaluation. You may need to pay for the eye doctor's test, but DPS will not charge you to update your license.
You can also request a retest if you believe the original test was performed incorrectly — for example, if the machine was not calibrated properly or the examiner did not follow the standard procedure. Ask to speak with a supervisor at the DPS office and explain your concern. They can review the test record and may authorize a retest.
B restrictions and commercial driving
If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), a B restriction will be noted on that license as well. However, the restriction may affect your ability to work in certain roles. Some employers require unrestricted vision for safety-sensitive positions, and some states' commercial driving rules have stricter vision standards than passenger vehicle rules.
If you drive commercially and have a B restriction, check with your employer or the Texas DPS CDL section to understand how it affects your job. You may be able to work in certain roles but not others. If you want to remove the restriction, the process is the same: request a vision retest or bring an eye doctor's report to DPS.
What happens at license renewal with a B restriction
When you renew your license, DPS will retest your vision. If your vision has improved and you now meet the unrestricted standard, the restriction will be removed automatically. If your vision is still below the unrestricted standard, the B restriction will remain on your new license.
You can renew your license online through the Texas DPS website if you do not have any restrictions or medical conditions that require an in-person visit. However, if you have a B restriction, you must renew in person at a DPS office so that your vision can be retested. Bring your current license and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease).
License renewal in Texas is required every eight years for most drivers. If you are over 85, renewal is required every five years. The vision retest at renewal is a good opportunity to challenge the restriction if you believe your vision has changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a B restriction if I use glasses or contacts?
Yes. The vision standard for a B restriction is measured with your correction in place — meaning with glasses or contacts if you normally wear them. If you wear correction, you must wear it every time you drive. If you are stopped and not wearing your correction, you can be cited for violating your license restriction.
What time exactly does the B restriction start and end each day?
Texas law defines daylight as the period between sunrise and sunset for your location on that date. The exact times change daily. You can find sunrise and sunset times on weather websites or the National Weather Service. When in doubt, do not drive — the restriction is not worth the risk.
Will a B restriction affect my insurance rates?
Insurance companies may ask about restrictions on your license, but a B restriction alone typically does not increase your rates. The restriction actually shows that you are following the law and driving within your safe limits. However, if you are cited for violating the restriction, that ticket can affect your rates.
Can I get the restriction removed before my next renewal?
Yes. You can request a vision retest at any DPS office at any time, not just at renewal. There is no waiting period. If you pass the unrestricted vision standard, the restriction is removed when ready and you receive a new license on the spot.
What if I disagree with the vision test result?
You can request an when ready retest at the same DPS office. If you fail again, bring a report from an eye doctor showing your vision meets the unrestricted standard, and DPS will remove the restriction based on that professional evaluation. You can also ask to speak with a supervisor if you believe the test was performed incorrectly.