Rest is a restriction code that limits when you can drive
Rest on your driver's license means you cannot drive during certain hours — usually between midnight and 5 a.m., though the exact times vary by state. It is a restriction placed on your license by a court or the DMV, most often after a DUI conviction or if you were under 18 when you got your license. The restriction stays on your record until a judge removes it or your license renewal period passes and the state does not renew it.
The restriction appears as a code on the back of your physical license card and in the DMV's computer system. If you drive during the prohibited hours, you can be pulled over and cited for violating the terms of your license — even if you are driving safely and have not broken any other law.
Rest restrictions are different from other license restrictions like corrective lenses or automatic transmission only. Those restrictions describe how you must drive. Rest describes when you are allowed to drive at all.
Key Takeaways
- Rest is a time-based restriction that prohibits driving during specific hours, most commonly midnight to 5 a.m.
- Courts impose rest restrictions most often after DUI convictions or as a condition of a hardship license for young drivers.
- Driving during prohibited hours is a separate violation, even if your driving itself is legal.
- You can request removal of a rest restriction through the court that imposed it or by petitioning the DMV, depending on your state's rules.
Why courts and DMVs add rest restrictions
Rest restrictions serve two purposes: they reduce the risk of impaired driving during late-night hours, and they enforce a consequence for license violations without suspending the license entirely.
After a DUI arrest, a judge may impose rest as a condition of keeping your license. The logic is that most DUI arrests happen between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., so restricting those hours lowers the chance you will drive impaired again. Some states make rest mandatory for all DUI convictions; others leave it to the judge's discretion.
Young drivers — typically under 18 — sometimes receive rest restrictions as part of a graduated licensing system or a hardship license. A hardship license lets a suspended driver go to work, school, or medical appointments during the day, but the DMV may restrict nighttime driving to keep inexperienced drivers off the road when visibility is poor and fatigue is more likely.
How rest restrictions appear on your license
On the physical card, rest shows up as a code in the restrictions section, usually printed as "REST" or a number code like "12" (the exact code varies by state). The back of your license lists all restrictions and what they mean.
In the DMV's database, the restriction is flagged in your driving record. When a police officer runs your license during a traffic stop, the restriction appears on their screen. If you are driving outside the permitted hours, the officer can cite you for violating the license restriction.
Some states also send you a written notice explaining the restriction when it is imposed. Keep this notice with your license, because it documents the hours you are prohibited from driving. If you are stopped and the officer questions the restriction, the notice proves what the court or DMV ordered.
What happens if you drive during prohibited hours
Driving during a rest restriction is a separate violation from any other traffic offense. You can be cited even if you are obeying the speed limit, have no passengers, and are driving safely. The violation is that you are behind the wheel at all during those hours.
The consequences depend on your state and whether this is your first violation of the restriction. A first violation may result in a fine of $100 to $500 and points on your record. A second or third violation can lead to license suspension, higher fines, or both. In some states, repeated violations can result in criminal charges.
If you are stopped and cited, you have the right to contest the citation in traffic court. You can argue that the restriction was imposed in error, that the time on the citation is wrong, or that the restriction has been removed. Bring any court orders or DMV documents that show the restriction's status.
How to remove a rest restriction
The method depends on how the restriction was imposed. If a court ordered it as part of a DUI sentence, you must petition that court to remove it. If the DMV imposed it as part of a hardship license or graduated licensing system, you can petition the DMV.
For court-ordered restrictions, contact the criminal court that handled your case and ask about the process for modifying the license restriction. Some courts allow you to file a motion to remove the restriction after a certain amount of time has passed — often one to three years — if you have a clean driving record. Others require you to wait until your license renewal or until the sentence is fully complete.
For DMV-imposed restrictions, contact your state's DMV directly. If the restriction was part of a graduated licensing system, it may automatically expire when you reach a certain age or after a set period. If it was part of a hardship license, you can request a full license reinstatement once you are may be able to access.
Some states allow you to request early removal if you have completed a DUI education program, maintained a clean record, or met other conditions. Ask the court or DMV what conditions, if any, would allow you to petition for removal before the restriction's natural expiration date.
Rest restrictions by state
The hours and rules for rest restrictions vary significantly. Some states prohibit driving between midnight and 5 a.m. Others use 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., or 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. A few states do not use rest restrictions at all, instead suspending licenses outright or using other conditions.
States also differ on whether rest is mandatory or discretionary for DUI convictions, how long it lasts, and what process you must follow to remove it. Some states allow removal after one year of clean driving; others require you to wait until your next renewal or until the full sentence is served.
Check your state's DMV website or call the DMV directly to learn the specific hours for your restriction and the process to remove it. If you received the restriction in one state and have since moved, contact both the original state and your new state's DMV to understand how the restriction transfers or whether it applies in your new state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during rest hours if I have a passenger or am going to an emergency?
No. A rest restriction applies to all driving during the prohibited hours, regardless of the reason or who is in the car. There is no exception for emergencies or passengers. If you have a genuine emergency, call 911 instead of driving yourself.
Does a rest restriction show up on my insurance or background check?
Your insurance company can see the restriction because they have access to your driving record. It may affect your rates. A background check will show the underlying conviction or license action that led to the restriction, but not the restriction itself unless the check specifically includes your DMV record.
What if I did not know I had a rest restriction?
Lack of knowledge is not a defense to a violation. When a restriction is imposed, the court or DMV sends notice, and it appears on your license card. If you did not receive notice, contact the court or DMV when ready to confirm the restriction's status and request removal if it was imposed in error.
Can I get the restriction removed early if I take a defensive driving course?
Defensive driving courses do not automatically remove a rest restriction. Some courts or DMVs may consider it as part of a petition for early removal, but you must ask the specific court or agency that imposed the restriction what conditions they require.
If my license expires, does the rest restriction go away?
Not automatically. When you renew your license, the restriction may renew with it unless a court has ordered it removed or the restriction's term has expired. Check your new license card when you receive it to confirm whether the restriction is still there.