A restriction limits what you can do while driving, not whether you can drive

A restriction on your driver's license is a condition that limits how, when, or where you can legally drive. It does not take away your license—it stays valid, but with rules attached. Common restrictions include requiring corrective lenses, prohibiting night driving, or limiting you to vehicles with automatic transmission. Your state's DMV prints the restriction code on the back of your license or on a separate document.

Restrictions exist because you have a medical condition, physical limitation, or failed part of the driving test in a way that suggests you need extra safeguards. A restriction is not a punishment. It is a way to let you drive while protecting you and others on the road.

Key Takeaways

  • A restriction is a condition printed on your license that limits how or when you can drive, but does not revoke your license.
  • Common restrictions include corrective lenses, automatic transmission only, no highway driving, and daylight driving only.
  • Restrictions are assigned during your license exam or medical review, based on your vision, hearing, mobility, or test performance.
  • Violating a restriction can result in a traffic citation, fines, and points on your driving record.
  • You can request removal of a restriction by passing a new test or providing medical clearance to your DMV.

Common Types of Restrictions and What They Mean

The most frequent restriction is corrective lenses (often shown as code "B" on your license). This means you must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive. An examiner assigns this if your vision without correction falls below the state's standard, even if correction brings you to legal limits.

Other common restrictions include automatic transmission only (you cannot drive a manual or stick-shift vehicle), daylight driving only (no driving between sunset and sunrise), no highway driving (limited to local roads under a certain speed), and hearing aid required (you must wear your hearing aid while driving). Some states also restrict new drivers to supervised driving—meaning an adult must be in the car—or prohibit use of a cell phone even hands-free.

A few restrictions are temporary. For example, if you fail the written test but pass the driving test, some states place a restriction on your license for 30 days while you study, then remove it if you pass the written exam on your next try. Medical restrictions can also be temporary if your condition is expected to improve.

Why the DMV Assigns Restrictions

The DMV assigns restrictions based on information gathered during your license exam or from your medical history. An eye exam during your test reveals whether you need corrective lenses. A hearing test checks whether you can hear sirens and horns. A physical evaluation assesses your mobility—for example, whether you have full use of your arms and legs, or whether a physical disability means you need hand controls or an automatic transmission.

If you report a medical condition on your process—such as epilepsy, diabetes, or a recent stroke—the DMV may require a medical evaluation from your doctor before issuing your license. The doctor fills out a form stating whether you are safe to drive and, if so, what restrictions are needed. This is not a judgment about your worth as a person; it is a safety assessment based on how your condition affects your ability to control a vehicle.

Restrictions can also result from failing part of the driving test. If you fail the parallel parking portion but pass everything else, some states may issue a restriction limiting you to automatic transmission vehicles, since manual transmission requires more coordination in tight spaces.

What Happens If You Drive Outside Your Restrictions

Violating a restriction is a traffic violation. If you are pulled over and an officer sees that your license requires corrective lenses but you are not wearing them, or that you are driving at night when your restriction says daylight only, you can receive a citation. The penalty varies by state but typically includes a fine (often $50 to $250), points added to your driving record, and possible license suspension if violations stack up.

A violation also affects your insurance. Your insurer may raise your rates or drop you if they learn you were cited for driving outside your restrictions. In some cases, an accident that occurs while you are violating a restriction can be used against you in a lawsuit, since you were breaking the law at the time.

The safest approach is to follow your restrictions exactly. If a restriction makes it hard to do something you need to do—such as drive to work at night—the solution is to request removal, not to ignore it.

How to Request Removal of a Restriction

To remove a restriction, you typically must show the DMV that the reason for the restriction no longer applies. The process depends on the type of restriction.

For a corrective lenses restriction, you take a new vision exam at the DMV. If your uncorrected vision now meets the state standard, the restriction is removed. For a hearing aid restriction, you provide a letter from an audiologist stating that your hearing is now adequate without the aid, or you take a hearing test at the DMV.

For medical restrictions (such as daylight driving only due to a seizure disorder), you submit a medical evaluation from your doctor stating that your condition is controlled and you are safe to drive without the restriction. The DMV reviews the form and either removes the restriction or asks for additional information.

For restrictions tied to a failed test portion, you straightforward retake that portion of the test. If you pass, the restriction is lifted. Some states remove these restrictions automatically after a set period (such as 6 months or 1 year) if you have no violations.

Restrictions vs. Suspensions and Revocations

It is important to understand the difference between a restriction, a suspension, and a revocation, because they are not the same thing.

A restriction lets you keep your license and drive, but with conditions. A suspension temporarily takes away your license—you cannot drive at all until the suspension ends and you renew your license. A revocation cancels your license entirely, and you must reapply and pass all tests again to get a new one. Suspensions usually last weeks or months; revocations can last years.

You might receive a suspension for accumulating too many points, driving under the influence, or reckless driving. You might receive a revocation for multiple DUIs or habitual traffic violations. A restriction, by contrast, is a way to let you keep driving while managing a specific safety concern.

Restrictions on Learner's Permits and Intermediate Licenses

Restrictions are especially common on learner's permits and intermediate (or provisional) licenses issued to young drivers. These restrictions are not medical—they are age-based safety rules. A typical learner's permit restricts you to driving only with a licensed adult in the car, only during daylight hours, and with no passengers under a certain age.

An intermediate license (issued after you pass the driving test but before you reach the age for a full license) may restrict night driving, limit the number of teenage passengers, and prohibit cell phone use. These restrictions gradually lift as you age and gain driving experience, or they lift when ready once you reach the age for a full license.

These restrictions exist because statistics show that young drivers are at higher risk of crashes, especially at night and with passengers. The restrictions are temporary and are removed automatically by law, not by request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a job as a delivery driver if I have a daylight driving only restriction?

No, not if the job requires night driving. You would need to request removal of the restriction first by providing medical clearance from your doctor. If your condition does not allow safe night driving, you may not be able to remove the restriction, and you would need to find a job that fits your driving limits.

Does a restriction show up on my driving record that other people can see?

Your restrictions appear on your physical license and on your DMV record. An employer who checks your driving record, an insurance company, or a police officer can see them. However, a casual background check or a credit check does not include driving restrictions—only your DMV record and your license itself show them.

What if I disagree with a restriction the DMV assigned?

You can request a hearing with the DMV to challenge the restriction. Bring medical evidence or test results that show the restriction is not necessary. For example, if the DMV says you need corrective lenses but you have had vision surgery and now see 20/20 without glasses, bring your eye doctor's report to the hearing. The DMV will review your evidence and decide whether to remove the restriction.

If I move to a different state, do my restrictions transfer?

No. When you get a license in a new state, you must take that state's vision and driving tests. The new state may assign different restrictions based on its own standards. Some states have stricter vision requirements than others, for example, so a restriction you had in one state might not explore in another.

Can a restriction be added to my license after I already have it?

Yes. If you report a new medical condition to the DMV, or if you are involved in an accident that raises safety concerns, the DMV can require a medical evaluation and add a restriction to your existing license. You would be notified and given a chance to provide medical evidence before the restriction takes effect.