What Restriction B means and how to remove it

Restriction B on a Texas driver license means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) whenever you drive. The Texas Department of Public Safety adds this restriction during your license exam if you need vision correction to meet the state's minimum sight requirements. To remove it, you have to pass a vision test without corrective lenses, proving your eyesight now meets Texas standards on its own.

The restriction stays on your license until you take action to remove it. You cannot straightforward wait it out or remove it by mail. You must visit a DPS office in person, take a vision screening, and pass without glasses or contacts. If you have had vision correction surgery like LASIK or PRK, or if your eyesight has naturally improved, this is your path forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contacts while driving, and it stays on your license until you pass a vision test without them.
  • You must visit a Texas DPS office in person to request a vision retest; there is no online or mail option.
  • You will need to bring your current driver license and proof of identity, and the vision screening is free.
  • If you pass the vision test without correction, the restriction is removed on the spot, and you receive an updated license in the mail within one to two weeks.
  • If you fail the retest, the restriction remains, and you can try again after waiting a reasonable period.

When you can request a vision retest

You can request a vision retest at any time after your license is issued with Restriction B. There is no waiting period. However, you should only request the retest if you genuinely believe your vision now meets the state minimum without correction—either because you have had corrective surgery, your eyesight has naturally improved, or you believe the original test was inaccurate.

If you have had LASIK, PRK, or another refractive surgery, wait until your eye doctor confirms your vision is stable (usually four to six weeks after surgery) before scheduling your retest. Going too early can result in a failed test if your vision is still settling.

How to schedule and prepare for your vision retest

Call your local Texas DPS office or visit the DPS website to find the office nearest you and ask about their vision retest process. Some offices allow you to walk in for a vision screening during regular hours; others may require an appointment. Ask whether you need to schedule ahead or if you can come in without one.

Bring your current Texas driver license and one form of acceptable ID (such as a passport, military ID, or birth certificate). The vision screening itself is free. Wear whatever you normally wear to see clearly—if you usually wear contacts, you can wear them to the office, but you will remove them for the actual test. The DPS will test your vision without any correction.

The vision test at DPS is the same as the one you took when you first got your license. You will read letters or numbers on a chart from a set distance. The state minimum is 20/40 vision in each eye, or 20/30 in one eye and 20/60 in the other, with or without correction. If you meet these standards without glasses or contacts, you pass.

What happens if you pass the vision retest

If you pass the vision test without correction, the DPS officer will remove Restriction B from your record when ready. You will receive a new driver license in the mail within one to two weeks. Your license number and expiration date remain the same; only the restriction is removed.

You can drive without corrective lenses as soon as you pass the test, even though your new license has not yet arrived. The restriction is gone from the system right away. When your new license arrives, keep it with you while driving to show law enforcement if stopped.

What happens if you fail the vision retest

If your vision does not meet the state minimum without correction, you will fail the retest and Restriction B will remain on your license. The DPS officer will tell you the results and explain what you did not meet. You can request another retest at any time, but it is wise to wait until you have a genuine reason to believe your vision has changed—such as after surgery or a follow-up visit with your eye doctor.

Repeated failed retests will not harm your license or result in penalties. However, failing a retest and then driving without the required correction is a violation. If you are stopped by law enforcement and you are driving without the corrective lenses your license requires, you can receive a citation.

Alternatives if you cannot pass without correction

If your vision cannot meet the state standard without glasses or contacts, Restriction B is permanent for your current license. You must wear corrective lenses every time you drive. This is a safety requirement, not a punishment.

If you believe the original vision test was performed incorrectly, you can request that a DPS officer re-administer it. Bring documentation from your eye doctor showing your current vision prescription and what you can see with and without correction. The officer may retest you based on this information, but the result must still meet state minimums.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive without my glasses if I have Restriction B while waiting for my new license?

No. Restriction B is active on your current license, and you must follow it until your new license arrives showing the restriction removed. Driving without the required correction is a violation, even if you have passed the retest and are waiting for your updated license in the mail.

Do I have to pay to take the vision retest?

No. The vision screening at DPS is free. You only pay if you need to renew your license or make other changes to it at the same time.

How long does the vision retest take?

The vision screening itself takes about five to ten minutes. The entire DPS office visit, including check-in and paperwork, usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is.

What if I wear contacts and want to remove Restriction B?

You must pass the vision test without any correction—no glasses and no contacts. If you wear contacts, you will need to remove them before the test. If your vision only meets the state standard with contacts, you cannot remove Restriction B, and you must wear some form of vision correction while driving.

Can I remove Restriction B online or by mail?

No. You must visit a Texas DPS office in person to take the vision retest. There is no online or mail option for this process.