Texas Driver License Restriction Codes: A, B & G Explained
The letters printed under “Restrictions” on a Texas driver license are Texas driver license restriction codes, and each one is a rule you must follow while driving. The three you are most likely to see are A (you must wear corrective lenses), B (a licensed driver 21 or older must be in the front seat), and G (the under-18 curfew, passenger and phone rules apply until the date shown). The codes are set by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
If you are a parent of a new driver, or an adult who just got a learner license, you have probably seen one of these on a card and wondered what it means and when it goes away. This guide decodes every letter and explains how the common ones get removed.
Key Takeaways
Restriction B means a licensed operator 21 or older must ride in the front seat. It is the restriction on every Texas learner license, teen or adult.
Restriction A means corrective lenses are required. It is added when you do not pass the DPS vision screening without glasses or contacts.
Restriction G applies the under-18 driving rules in Texas Transportation Code 545.424 until the date printed, which is the driver’s 18th birthday.
Restriction B is removed by passing the driving test and being issued a driver license. It does not expire on its own.
Most other codes relate to commercial licenses, motorcycles or medical accommodations.
What Restriction B Means on a Texas License
DPS defines restriction B as “LOFS 21 or over.” LOFS stands for licensed operator in front seat. When B is on your card, you may drive only when a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is sitting in the front passenger seat.
This is the restriction that makes a learner license a learner license. A teen’s Texas learner license carries it, and so does the learner license DPS issues to adults. If you are 18 or older and DPS gave you a “Class C, B-restricted” license, that is your adult learner license. You cannot drive alone with it.
How to Remove Restriction B
Restriction B comes off when you pass the driving test and DPS issues your driver license. There is no separate removal form and no waiting it out. The steps depend on your age.
Teens (16 and 17): hold the learner license six months, finish driver education and the 30 practice hours, complete Impact Texas Teen Drivers, then pass the driving test. You receive a Texas provisional license, which drops the B and adds a G.
Adults 18 to 24: complete the 6-hour adult driver education course (certificate ADE-1317), complete Impact Texas Adult Drivers, then pass the driving test.
Adults 25 and older: the adult course is optional, but you still need Impact Texas Adult Drivers and a passing driving test.
Adults can take the driving test at a DPS office or with a DPS-authorized third-party school. SafeWay’s adult road test is open to B-restricted license holders whether or not they trained with us.
What Restriction A Means
Restriction A is “with corrective lenses.” DPS adds it when you pass the vision screening only while wearing glasses or contacts. Driving without them is a violation of your license.
To remove restriction A after vision-correction surgery or a new prescription, visit a DPS driver license office and pass the vision screening without lenses. DPS will issue an updated license. Many people see “AB” on a learner license, which simply means both restrictions apply: lenses required, and a licensed adult in the front seat.
What Restriction G Means
Restriction G reads “TRC 545.424 applies until” followed by a date. TRC is the Texas Transportation Code, and Section 545.424 is the law that sets the rules for drivers under 18:
No driving between midnight and 5 a.m., except for work, school activities or a medical emergency.
No more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
No cell phone use while driving, including hands-free.
The date printed next to G is the driver’s 18th birthday. The restriction ends automatically on that day. You do not need to visit DPS to have it removed, though the provisional license itself expires at 18 and must be renewed. Our post on passenger rules for young Texas drivers covers the details.
The Full List of Texas Driver License Restriction Codes
Here is every restriction code DPS uses, with its official description. CMV means commercial motor vehicle and MC means motorcycle.
Code | Restriction | Who usually has it |
A | With corrective lenses | Anyone who needs glasses or contacts to drive |
B | LOFS 21 or over (licensed operator in front seat) | Teen and adult learner license holders |
C | Daytime driving only | Medical or vision cases |
D | Speed not to exceed 45 mph | Medical cases |
E | No manual transmission equipped CMV | Commercial drivers |
F | Must hold valid learner license to the date shown | Some learner license holders |
G | TRC 545.424 applies until the date shown | Provisional license holders under 18 |
H | Vehicle not to exceed 26,000 lbs GVWR | Commercial drivers |
I | Motorcycle not to exceed 250cc | Young motorcycle riders |
J | Licensed motorcycle operator 21 or over in sight | Motorcycle learners |
K | Intrastate only | Commercial drivers |
L | No air brake equipped CMV | Commercial drivers |
M | No Class A passenger vehicle | Commercial drivers |
N | No Class A and B passenger vehicle | Commercial drivers |
O | No tractor-trailer CMV | Commercial drivers |
P | Stated on license | Individual conditions written on the card |
Q | LOFS 21 or over, vehicle above Class B | Commercial learners |
R | LOFS 21 or over, vehicle above Class C | Commercial learners |
S | Outside rearview mirror or hearing aid | Drivers with hearing loss |
T | Automatic transmission | Drivers tested in an automatic with a related medical need |
U | Applicable prosthetic devices | Drivers using adaptive equipment |
V | Medical variance | Commercial drivers |
W | Power steering | Medical cases |
X | No cargo in CMV tank vehicle | Commercial drivers |
Y | Valid Texas vision or limb waiver required | Commercial drivers |
Z | No full air brake equipped CMV | Commercial drivers |
Restriction codes are different from license classes. The class (A, B, C or M) tells you what kind of vehicle you may drive. The restriction tells you the conditions. A regular car driver holds a Class C license, and you can read more in our guide to Texas license classes. Endorsements, such as M for motorcycle, are a third category that adds privileges rather than limiting them.
Conclusion
For most Texas families, restriction codes come down to three letters. A means glasses. B means a licensed adult in the front seat until you pass your driving test. G means the teen driving rules apply until 18. Everything else on the list is for commercial, motorcycle or medical situations.
The only restriction you have to earn your way out of is B, and the way out is a passing road test. That is what good driver training is built for.
FAQ
How do I remove restriction B from my driver’s license in Texas?
Pass the driving test. Restriction B is the learner license restriction, and DPS removes it when it issues your driver license after a passing road test. Adults 18 to 24 must first complete the 6-hour adult driver education course, and every adult must complete Impact Texas Adult Drivers before testing.
What does restriction B mean on a driver’s license?
Restriction B means “LOFS 21 or over,” a licensed operator age 21 or older must be in the front seat whenever you drive. It appears on Texas learner licenses for teens and adults.
What does restriction A mean on a Texas driver’s license?
Restriction A means you must wear corrective lenses while driving. DPS adds it when you pass the vision screening only with glasses or contacts, and removes it if you later pass the screening without them.
What is a Class C, B-restricted license in Texas?
It is the adult learner license. Class C is the standard car license class, and the B restriction means you may drive only with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat. Adults use it to practice before taking the driving test.
Is restriction B the same as a Class B license?
No. A Class B license is a commercial license class for large single vehicles such as buses and dump trucks. Restriction B is a condition placed on a regular Class C learner license. The letter is the same, but they have nothing to do with each other.
Ready to get that B restriction off your license? SafeWay Driving prepares teens and adults across Texas for the road test, and DPS lists SafeWay among its authorized third-party testing schools. Explore teen driver training or adult driver training, find a SafeWay location near you, or contact us at 844-DRIVE-SAFE.