What Restriction B means and how to remove it

Restriction B on a Texas driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) whenever you drive. To remove it, you need to pass a vision test without correction at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, then pay a $20 fee to update your license.

The restriction appears on your license because you failed the uncorrected vision portion of your original test or renewal. Texas law allows you to drive with correction, but the state tracks that you need it. If your vision has improved — through surgery, new prescription, or straightforward a better test result — you can remove the restriction without renewing your entire license.

The process takes about 15 minutes at a DPS office and you'll walk out with an updated license the same day. You do not need an eye doctor's note or any paperwork beyond your current license and payment.

Key Takeaways

  • You must pass an uncorrected vision test at a DPS office to remove Restriction B; wearing glasses or contacts during the test will not work.
  • The vision test is the only requirement — you do not need a doctor's letter, eye exam results, or any outside documentation.
  • The fee to remove the restriction is $20, paid at the DPS office when you pass the test.
  • Your updated license is printed on-site and ready to use when ready; you do not have to wait for mail delivery.
  • If you fail the uncorrected test, the restriction stays in place and you can try again at any later visit.

How the vision test works at DPS

When you arrive at a DPS office to remove Restriction B, you will take the same vision screening used during license renewal. The test checks your uncorrected vision — meaning you remove your glasses or contacts before the exam begins. The standard is 20/40 vision or better in each eye, with both eyes combined reaching 20/40 or better.

The test uses a machine called a vision screener that displays letters at decreasing sizes. You read the smallest line you can see clearly. The whole screening takes two to three minutes. If you pass, you move to payment and license printing. If you do not pass, you leave with Restriction B still on your license and can return another time to try again.

Bring your current Texas driver's license and a form of payment (cash, debit, or credit card). You do not need an appointment at most DPS offices, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the DPS website for your nearest office and current hours before you go.

When you might pass the uncorrected test

Vision can change for several reasons. If you had LASIK or PRK eye surgery, your uncorrected vision may now meet the state standard even though it did not before. If you received a new glasses or contact prescription and your vision improved significantly, you might pass without correction. Some people straightforward had a bad test day during their original exam and pass easily on a second attempt.

You do not need to wait for a specific time period or provide proof that your vision changed. You can attempt the uncorrected test as many times as you want, at any DPS office, whenever you believe you might pass. There is no penalty for failing — the restriction straightforward remains until you pass.

What happens if you fail the uncorrected test

If your vision does not meet the 20/40 standard without correction, you will not be able to remove Restriction B at that visit. The restriction stays on your license exactly as it was. You can return to any DPS office at any later date to try again — there is no waiting period between attempts and no limit on how many times you can test.

If you believe your vision has genuinely improved, consider getting a current eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist before your next DPS visit. While you do not need the exam results to take the DPS test, knowing your current prescription can help you decide whether it is worth attempting the uncorrected vision screening.

Restriction B versus other license restrictions

Texas driver's licenses can carry several restrictions beyond Restriction B. Restriction A means you can drive only during daylight hours. Restriction C means you cannot drive on interstate highways. Restriction D limits you to automatic transmission vehicles only. Each restriction has its own removal process, and removing one does not affect the others.

If you have multiple restrictions, you will need to address each one separately. Restriction B is the only one removed by passing a vision test. The others typically require different documentation or a full license renewal. Check your license to see which restrictions explore to you.

Finding a DPS office near you

Texas has DPS driver license offices in most cities and many smaller towns. You can find the nearest office and check hours on the official Texas DPS website under "Driver License Offices." The site shows addresses, phone numbers, and current wait times at some locations.

Offices in rural areas may have limited hours or may only be open certain days of the week. If your nearest office has inconvenient hours, you may have other DPS locations within reasonable driving distance. Call ahead if you want to confirm the office is open or ask about current wait times before you make the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove Restriction B by mail or online?

No. You must take the vision test in person at a DPS office. There is no mail-in or online option for vision screening or restriction removal.

Do I need an eye doctor's letter to remove the restriction?

No. The DPS vision test is the only requirement. You do not need a doctor's note, eye exam results, or any outside documentation. The test itself is your proof that your vision meets the standard.

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

You must take the vision test without your contacts in. If your uncorrected vision (without contacts) meets the 20/40 standard, you can remove the restriction. If it does not, you will need to keep wearing contacts while driving and the restriction will remain.

How long does the whole process take?

The vision test itself takes two to three minutes. Add time for waiting in line, which varies by office and time of day. Once you pass the test, your updated license is printed on-site in a few minutes. Plan for 15 to 45 minutes total depending on how busy the office is.

Can I remove Restriction B when I renew my license?

Yes. If you are renewing your license anyway, you can ask to take the uncorrected vision test at the same visit. If you pass, the restriction is removed and your new license reflects that. You still pay the $20 restriction removal fee in addition to your renewal fee.