Restriction B is a corrective lens requirement that Texas places on your driver's license

If your Texas driver's license shows Restriction B, it means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — whenever you drive. The restriction appears as a code on the back of your license and is legally binding. Driving without the required correction is a violation and can result in a traffic citation, even if you can see reasonably well without them.

The restriction is added during the vision screening at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) when you renew, replace, or first obtain your license. If the examiner determines that your vision meets the legal standard only with correction, Restriction B is noted on your license record. This is one of the most common restrictions issued in Texas.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle in Texas.
  • The restriction is added by the DPS vision examiner if your uncorrected vision does not meet the legal standard of 20/40 in each eye.
  • Driving without the required correction while Restriction B is on your license is a traffic violation.
  • You can have the restriction removed by passing a vision test without correction at a DPS office.
  • The restriction does not affect your ability to drive; it only specifies the condition under which you are licensed to drive.

How the vision test determines Restriction B

During your license transaction at a DPS office, you take a vision screening test. The examiner checks your vision in each eye separately, both with and without correction. Texas law requires that you see at least 20/40 in each eye to drive legally.

If your uncorrected vision is worse than 20/40 in either eye but improves to 20/40 or better when you wear glasses or contacts, the examiner will add Restriction B to your license. This means your vision meets the legal standard only with correction, so correction is a condition of your license.

If your vision is 20/40 or better in each eye without correction, no restriction is added. If your vision cannot be corrected to 20/40 even with glasses or contacts, you may be denied a license or issued a restricted license with different conditions.

What happens if you drive without the required correction

Driving while Restriction B is on your license but without wearing your 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 other traffic offense.

The citation is typically written as a violation of the restriction on your license. Penalties can include a fine, points on your driving record, and potential increases to your insurance rates. The violation is separate from any other traffic offense you might receive during the same stop.

If you are involved in an accident while driving without required correction, the violation strengthens liability claims against you and may affect insurance coverage or claims.

Removing Restriction B from your license

You can have Restriction B removed by visiting a DPS office and passing a vision test without wearing correction. The examiner will test your uncorrected vision in each eye. If you now see 20/40 or better in each eye without glasses or contacts, the restriction will be removed from your license.

There is no fee to remove the restriction, and you do not need to renew your license to do so. You can request a vision retest at any time. If your vision has improved — for example, after corrective eye surgery — a retest is the way to document that improvement and remove the restriction.

If your vision has not improved and you still need correction to meet the 20/40 standard, the restriction will remain on your license. You can retest again at any point in the future if your vision changes.

Other common Texas driver's license restrictions

Texas uses letter codes to mark different restrictions on licenses. Restriction A requires corrective lenses and also limits you to daytime driving only — no driving between sunset and sunrise. Restriction C limits you to vehicles with automatic transmissions. Restriction D requires an outside left mirror on your vehicle.

Some restrictions are medical in nature, such as restrictions related to hearing loss or seizure disorders. Others are based on age, such as restrictions on new teenage drivers. Each restriction is tied to a specific condition that the DPS has determined affects your ability to drive safely under certain circumstances.

You can have multiple restrictions on a single license. For example, you might have both Restriction B (corrective lenses) and Restriction C (automatic transmission only). Each restriction is independent and must be followed separately.

Corrective lenses that satisfy Restriction B

Restriction B is satisfied by either eyeglasses or contact lenses, as long as they correct your vision to the legal standard. The type of correction does not matter — bifocals, progressive lenses, single-vision lenses, and contacts all count equally.

You do not need to carry proof of your prescription or a copy of your eye exam results while driving. The restriction on your license is the legal requirement. However, it is practical to keep your glasses or contacts with you while driving so you can put them on if stopped by law enforcement.

If you wear contact lenses, make sure they are in your eyes before you start driving. If you wear glasses, keep them on while driving. Either way, the correction must be in place whenever you operate the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with Restriction B if I forget my glasses at home?

No. If Restriction B is on your license, you must wear corrective lenses while driving. Forgetting your glasses is not a legal excuse. You can be cited for violating the restriction even if you were not speeding or breaking any other traffic law.

Does Restriction B mean I am a bad driver?

No. Restriction B straightforward means your vision meets the legal standard only with correction. Millions of licensed drivers have this restriction. It is a safety measure, not a judgment about your driving ability or your character.

What if I got LASIK or another eye surgery and no longer need glasses?

Visit a DPS office and request a vision retest. If your uncorrected vision now meets the 20/40 standard in each eye, the restriction will be removed. There is no fee for the retest, and you do not need an appointment at most offices.

Can I get a license without Restriction B if I wear contacts?

No. Restriction B is based on your uncorrected vision, not on whether you choose to wear glasses or contacts. If your uncorrected vision is worse than 20/40, the restriction applies regardless of how you correct it.

What if I have Restriction B but my vision has gotten worse?

You should still be able to drive as long as you wear your corrective lenses and they bring your vision to 20/40 or better. If your current prescription no longer corrects your vision adequately, see an eye doctor for an updated prescription and new glasses or contacts.