How to Remove Restriction B From Your Texas Driver License

What Restriction B means and how to remove it

Restriction B on a Texas driver license means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) whenever you drive. The Texas Department of Public Safety adds this restriction when your vision test shows you need correction to drive safely. To remove it, you must pass a vision test without needing correction — which means either your eyesight has improved naturally, or you have had vision correction surgery like LASIK.

The removal process is straightforward: you visit a DPS office, take a vision screening, and if you pass without correction, the restriction is removed on the spot. You do not need a new license printed unless you want one — the restriction lifts in the system when ready. If you fail the test, the restriction stays and you must continue wearing your corrective lenses while driving.

Key Takeaways

Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contacts while driving and can only be removed by passing a vision test without correction at a DPS office.
You do not need an appointment at most DPS locations; walk-in vision screenings are available during regular office hours.
If you have had LASIK or another vision correction surgery, wait until your eye doctor confirms your vision is stable before attempting the test.
Driving with Restriction B in effect but without your corrective lenses is a traffic violation and can result in a ticket.

Where to go for a vision screening in Texas

Any Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License office can perform a vision screening. You can find the office nearest you on the DPS website by entering your city or zip code. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening or Saturday hours.

You do not need to schedule an appointment for a vision screening — it is a walk-in service. Bring your current driver license and be prepared to wait, especially during lunch hours or late afternoon. The screening itself takes only a few minutes. Some offices are busier than others; if you want to avoid a long wait, try visiting early in the morning or mid-week.

What happens during the vision test

The DPS vision screening uses a standard eye chart and a machine called a phoropter or automated refractor. You will read letters on a chart from a set distance, and the machine will show you different lens strengths to find the one that gives you the clearest vision. The test checks each eye separately and both eyes together.

To pass without correction, you must see 20/40 or better in each eye without any lenses. This is the legal minimum for driving in Texas. If you need any lens correction to reach 20/40, the restriction remains. The test takes about five minutes, and you get the result before you leave the office.

Vision correction surgery and timing

If you have had LASIK, PRK, or another refractive surgery, your vision will continue to shift for several weeks or months after the procedure. Your eye surgeon will tell you when your vision has stabilized — usually between three and six months after surgery. Do not attempt the DPS vision test until your surgeon confirms stability, because an unstable result could delay your removal unnecessarily.

Bring a letter from your eye surgeon stating that your vision is stable if you have had recent surgery. The DPS staff will not require it, but it can help explain any borderline results. If you fail the test shortly after surgery, you can return once your surgeon confirms further healing has occurred.

What to bring to the DPS office

Bring your current Texas driver license. That is the only document required for a vision screening. If you have had recent eye surgery, bring your surgeon's letter confirming vision stability, though it is not mandatory.

Do not wear your corrective lenses during the test if you are trying to remove the restriction. The point of the screening is to measure your uncorrected vision. If you wear glasses or contacts during the test, you will fail and the restriction will remain.

If you fail the vision test

If you do not pass the test without correction, Restriction B stays on your license. You can return and try again after your vision has changed — there is no waiting period between attempts. Some people's vision improves over time due to changes in their eye health, though this is not common in adults.

If you believe the test result was wrong, you can request that a DPS supervisor review the screening. You can also have your eye doctor perform an independent vision test and bring those results to the DPS office. However, the DPS will use their own equipment and standards to make the final decision.

Driving with Restriction B in effect

While Restriction B is on your license, you must wear your corrective lenses every time you drive. This is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. If a police officer stops you and you are not wearing your glasses or contacts, you can be cited for violating your license restriction. The ticket is separate from any other traffic violation and can result in a fine.

If you are stopped and do not have your corrective lenses with you, tell the officer when ready. Some officers will issue a warning if your vision is only slightly corrected, but you should not count on this. The safest approach is to always keep your glasses or contacts in your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove Restriction B without having surgery?

Only if your vision has improved on its own, which is rare in adults. Most people's vision either stays the same or worsens over time. If your vision has genuinely improved, a vision test at the DPS will show it and the restriction will be removed.

How long does the vision screening take?

The screening itself takes about five minutes. The total time at the DPS office depends on how busy it is — you might wait anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. Arriving early in the day usually means a shorter wait.

Do I need a new license if the restriction is removed?

No. The restriction is removed from your record when ready, and you can drive without it right away. Your current license is still valid. You can request a new license without the restriction if you want, but there is no requirement to do so.

What if I wear contacts instead of glasses?

Contacts count as corrective lenses under Restriction B. You must wear them while driving, just as you would with glasses. If you want to remove the restriction, you must pass the vision test without any correction — no contacts and no glasses.

Can I take the vision test while wearing my glasses to see if I still need them?

No. The test is designed to measure your uncorrected vision. If you wear your glasses during the test, the result will show that you need correction, and the restriction will remain. You must take the test without any lenses.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.