Texas Driver's License Code Restrictions: Violations, Fines & Suspension

Under Texas Transportation Code § 521.221, the Department of Public Safety may place a restriction on a driver's license "for good cause" to help ensure the license holder can safely operate a motor vehicle. A restriction can relate to:

• The type of vehicle the person may operate
• A required mechanical control device on the vehicle
• Required mechanical attachments on the person, such as glasses or an artificial limb
• A specific area, road, or highway where driving is permitted
• The time of day driving is permitted
• Any other condition DPS determines necessary for safe operation

These restrictions are printed directly on the license as a code, and officers are trained to check for them during a traffic stop.

By far, the most common restriction violation is a Code A citation — a license marked "with corrective lenses" where the driver is stopped not wearing glasses or contacts. This one comes up constantly: a driver gets a license with a vision restriction, later feels their eyesight is fine, stops wearing their glasses, and gets pulled over for an unrelated reason (or even specifically because an officer notices no glasses) — resulting in a restriction violation citation in addition to, or instead of, whatever prompted the stop.

DPS publishes the following standard restriction codes that may appear on a Texas driver's license:

Code	Meaning
A	With corrective lenses
B	A licensed driver 21 or older must be in the front seat
C	Daytime driving only
D	Speed not to exceed 45 mph
E	No manual transmission-equipped commercial motor vehicle
F	Must hold a valid learner license until a stated date
G	Transportation Code § 545.424 applies until a stated date
H	Vehicle not to exceed 26,000 lbs. GVWR
I	Motorcycle not to exceed 250cc
J	Licensed motorcycle operator 21 or older must be in sight
K	Intrastate driving only
L	No air-brake-equipped commercial motor vehicle
S	Outside rearview mirror or hearing aid required
T	Automatic transmission only
U	Applicable prosthetic devices required
V	Medical variance documents required
W	Power steering required
Y	Valid Texas vision or limb waiver required

Several additional codes (M, N, O, P, Q, R, X, Z, and the numbered "P1"–"P40" series) apply mainly to commercial driver's licenses and specific commercial vehicle classes. Whatever code appears on your license, the same basic rule applies: driving in a way that violates that printed restriction can result in a citation.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety, "Driver License Endorsements and Restrictions."

Under Texas Transportation Code § 521.221(c), operating a motor vehicle in violation of a restriction printed on your license is a misdemeanor. Because this specific offense doesn't list its own fine amount, it falls under the Transportation Code's general penalty provision, § 521.461, which sets a fine of up to $200. On its own, a single restriction-violation citation is a fine-only matter — the real risk comes from accumulating more than one.

Yes, in specific circumstances. Under § 521.221(d), a court may dismiss the charge if all of the following are true:

• The restriction was imposed because of a physical condition that was surgically or otherwise medically corrected before the date of the offense (for example, LASIK eye surgery that eliminated the need for corrective lenses), or the restriction was imposed in error and the defendant can establish that fact;
• DPS removes the restriction from the license before the defendant's first court appearance; and
• The defendant pays a reimbursement fee not to exceed $10.

The key detail many people miss: simply having had the vision-correcting surgery, or switching to contacts, isn't enough by itself. The restriction has to actually be removed from your license record with DPS before your first court date for the dismissal option under this section to apply.

Under § 521.221(e), DPS is required to remove a corrective-lens restriction and mail a new license without it if the license holder submits:

• A written statement from a licensed physician or optometrist verifying that the person's vision has been surgically corrected and corrective lenses are no longer required; and
• The required fee.

DPS maintains a process to submit this documentation electronically or by mail, separate from visiting a driver license office in person.

Yes — and this is where a single Code A ticket can turn into a much bigger problem. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety's own driver license enforcement actions reference, a person who receives two or more convictions for violating a license restriction is subject to a departmental suspension under Transportation Code § 521.292(a)(6):

• If no hearing is requested, there is an automatic 90-day suspension.
• If a hearing is requested and there is an affirmative finding against the person, the suspension can run for up to one year.
• A $100 reinstatement fee applies before the license can be renewed or reissued.
• An occupational license option is available during the suspension period, and an administrative hearing option exists to contest the suspension.

In short: one restriction citation is a fine. Two convictions can cost you your license for months. This is functionally the same structure as the two-conviction rule for no-insurance citations — a pattern Texas uses in several places in the Transportation Code to escalate consequences for repeat violations.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Enforcement Actions (Form DL-176).

What does Code A mean on a Texas driver's license?

Code A means the license holder is required to wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) while driving. It's the single most common restriction code violation.

Can I get a restriction ticket dismissed just by showing I had LASIK?

Not by itself. You also need DPS to actually remove the restriction from your license record before your first court appearance, and you'll pay a reimbursement fee of up to $10.

Is one restriction violation a big deal?

A single conviction is a fine-only misdemeanor (up to $200). The real risk is a second conviction, which can trigger a 90-day to one-year license suspension.

What other restriction codes exist besides corrective lenses?

Many, covering everything from daytime-only driving and speed limits to required mechanical devices and vehicle types — see the full table above.