How Driver's License Restrictions Work
A driver's license restriction is a condition that limits how or when you can drive. It appears on your license as a code or letter — usually on the back — and tells law enforcement what you are not permitted to do. Restrictions do not take away your license; they modify it. You can still drive, but only under the conditions listed.
Restrictions are set by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency) and are based on your age, medical condition, vision, driving record, or the type of vehicle you drive. Some restrictions are automatic — for instance, a 16-year-old in most states gets a restriction against driving after midnight. Others are added because of a conviction, a medical report, or a failed test.
The key difference between a restriction and a suspension or revocation is that you keep your license. A suspension temporarily removes your right to drive; a revocation ends it. A restriction lets you drive, but not everywhere or not in every situation.
Key Takeaways
- Restrictions appear as codes on your license and limit when, where, or how you can drive without suspending your license entirely.
- Common restrictions include corrective lenses, automatic transmissions, daylight-only driving, and prohibitions on towing or passengers under a certain age.
- Age-based restrictions are automatic for teen drivers in most states and typically expire when you reach a certain age or after a violation-free period.
- Medical restrictions are added when your state receives a report that your vision, hearing, or physical ability may affect safe driving.
- Conviction-based restrictions — such as an ignition interlock device — are imposed by a court as part of a sentence for a driving offense.
Age-Based Restrictions for Teen Drivers
Most states impose automatic restrictions on drivers under 18 or 21, depending on the state's graduated licensing system. These restrictions phase in as you age and prove you can drive safely. The most common age-based restrictions are a curfew (no driving between certain hours, often 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.), a limit on passengers (usually no passengers under 21 unless a parent or guardian is present), and a ban on cell phone use while driving.
Some states also restrict the type of vehicle you can drive as a teen — for example, no driving vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above a certain threshold. These restrictions typically expire when you turn a set age (often 18 or 21) or after you have held your license violation-free for a set period, usually six months to two years.
If you receive a traffic violation while under a curfew or passenger restriction, the restriction period may be extended. Check your state's DMV website or your license itself to see what restrictions explore to you and when they expire.
Vision and Medical Restrictions
If your vision does not meet your state's standard for unrestricted driving, you will receive a corrective lens restriction. This means you must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive. The restriction code on your license tells an officer that you are breaking the law if you are caught driving without them.
Medical restrictions are added when your state's DMV receives a report — from a doctor, an eye exam, or a medical review board — that a condition may affect your ability to drive safely. Common medical restrictions include hearing aid required, left foot accelerator only, hand controls only, or daylight driving only (no driving at night). Some states also restrict driving to a certain radius from your home or to specific routes you have pre-approved.
If you have a medical condition that results in a restriction, you may be able to have it removed by passing a new medical exam or providing a doctor's statement that the condition has improved. The process and timeline vary by state.
Conviction-Based Restrictions
A conviction for a driving offense can result in restrictions imposed by a court as part of your sentence. The most common is an ignition interlock device (IID), required after a DUI or DWI conviction in most states. An IID is a breathalyzer connected to your vehicle's ignition; you must blow into it to start the car, and it tests your breath alcohol level while you drive.
Other conviction-based restrictions include a requirement to carry proof of insurance at all times, a ban on driving with a suspended license (which sounds redundant but is a separate offense), or a restriction to driving only for work or medical appointments. Some states also impose a restriction on towing or carrying passengers as part of a reckless driving sentence.
The length of a conviction-based restriction depends on the offense and your state's law. An IID requirement typically lasts six months to three years. Once the restriction period ends, you can petition your state's DMV to have it removed from your license.
Commercial Driver's License Restrictions
If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), restrictions are more specific because they relate to the type of vehicle and cargo you can operate. Common CDL restrictions include air brake restriction (you cannot drive vehicles with air brakes), passenger restriction (you cannot transport passengers), hazmat restriction (you cannot carry hazardous materials), or tank vehicle restriction (you cannot drive tanker trucks).
CDL restrictions are usually the result of failing a specific test — for example, if you fail the air brake component of the CDL exam, you receive an air brake restriction. You can remove the restriction by retaking and passing that portion of the exam. Some CDL restrictions are medical, similar to regular license restrictions, and require a medical examination to remove.
How to Find Out What Restrictions You Have
Your restrictions are printed on the back of your physical license, usually as a letter or number code. Each state uses its own codes, so a "B" restriction in one state may mean something different in another. Your state's DMV website has a key that explains what each code means.
You can also contact your state's DMV directly by phone or through their online portal. Many states allow you to view your license record online if you create an account. If you are unsure what a restriction means or believe it was added in error, call your DMV and ask for clarification before you drive.
Removing or Modifying a Restriction
The process for removing a restriction depends on why it was added. Age-based restrictions expire automatically on a set date — you do not have to do anything. Medical restrictions can often be removed by passing a new medical exam or providing updated documentation from a doctor. Vision restrictions can be removed if you pass a new vision test without corrective lenses.
Conviction-based restrictions typically require you to complete the sentence (such as the full term of an IID requirement) and then submit a petition to your DMV. Some states charge a fee to remove a restriction; others do not. A few states allow you to request early removal if you can show that the reason for the restriction no longer applies — for example, if a medical condition has resolved.
If you believe a restriction was added in error or no longer applies to you, contact your state's DMV in writing and include supporting documentation. The DMV will review your request and notify you of the outcome. This process can take several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if I ignore a restriction on my license?
No. Driving in violation of a restriction is a separate offense and can result in a fine, points on your record, or license suspension. If you have a corrective lens restriction and drive without glasses, or a curfew restriction and drive after the allowed time, you are breaking the law even if you are otherwise driving safely.
What happens if I get a ticket while under a restriction?
The consequences depend on the restriction and the offense. A traffic violation while under a curfew or passenger restriction may extend the restriction period. A violation while under an ignition interlock requirement may result in additional penalties or an extended IID term. Always disclose the restriction to the officer and to the court.
Do restrictions from one state carry over if I move?
No. When you get a license in a new state, that state sets its own restrictions based on your driving record and any medical conditions you report. However, your driving history — including convictions — transfers, so a DUI conviction in one state may result in an IID restriction in your new state as well.
Can a doctor request that a restriction be added to my license?
Yes. In most states, a doctor can report a medical condition to the DMV if they believe it affects your ability to drive safely. The DMV will then contact you and may require a medical examination. You have the right to request a hearing if you disagree with the restriction.
How long does it take to remove a restriction?
It depends on the type. Age-based restrictions expire automatically on a set date. Medical restrictions can be removed within days if you pass a new exam. Conviction-based restrictions require you to complete the sentence first, which can take months or years, and then submit a petition — the review process typically takes two to four weeks.