A restricted driver’s license looks almost identical to a standard license at a glance, but it carries specific markings that signal limited driving privileges. In most states, what a restricted driver’s license looks like comes down to three visible cues: one or more alphanumeric codes printed in a “Restrictions” or “RST” field on the front, a legend on the back explaining each code, and in some cases a header word such as “RESTRICTED,” “PROVISIONAL,” or “INTERMEDIATE.” Licenses issued to drivers under 21 are usually printed vertically rather than horizontally, which is itself a form of restriction marking.
What’s Visibly Different on the Card
The physical card is the same size, material, and general format as any other driver’s license. The difference sits in a small section on the front, usually labeled “Restrictions” or “RST,” that lists one or more codes. These codes are shorthand for specific limitations on your driving privileges. When no restrictions apply, many states print “NONE” in that field.
Flip the card over and you’ll typically find a legend translating each code. One might read “corrective lenses required,” another “daylight driving only.” Some restrictions are spelled out rather than coded. A license tied to an ignition interlock requirement, for example, may carry a notation that the driver can only operate a vehicle equipped with that device. The information is printed directly on the card so law enforcement can verify compliance during a traffic stop.
The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators sets the card design standard that all states follow. Under that standard, restriction codes appear in a designated zone on the front and must be described on the back. The codes themselves vary by state, so the same restriction can show up as different letters or numbers depending on where the license was issued.1American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. AAMVA DL/ID Card Design Standard (2020)
What the Codes Typically Mean
Every state uses its own code set, but certain restrictions turn up on licenses everywhere. The most common ones you’ll see:
- Corrective lenses. By far the most widespread restriction. If you passed your vision test wearing glasses or contacts, your license will carry a code requiring you to wear them while driving.
- Daylight driving only. Applied when a driver’s vision meets daytime standards but falls short for nighttime conditions.
- Automatic transmission. Prevents the holder from driving a manual transmission vehicle.
- Outside mirrors required. Added for drivers with limited peripheral vision, hearing impairments, or vehicles with obstructed rear views.
- Adaptive or prosthetic equipment. Covers mechanical aids like hand-operated brakes, gearshift extensions, or prosthetic devices needed for safe operation.
- Ignition interlock device. Requires the driver to operate only a vehicle equipped with a breath-testing interlock, typically after an alcohol-related offense.
- Accompanied by licensed driver. Common on learner’s permits and some provisional licenses, requiring a licensed adult in the passenger seat.
- Geographic or purpose limitations. Some hardship licenses restrict driving to specific routes or purposes, such as commuting to work or getting to medical appointments.
If you’re looking at a license and can’t decipher the codes, turn it over. The explanation is almost always on the back. Your state’s DMV website publishes the complete list.
Under-21 and Provisional License Markings
For younger drivers, the visual cues go well beyond a small code. The vast majority of states issue under-21 licenses in a vertical (portrait) orientation, making them instantly distinguishable from the horizontal licenses issued to adults over 21. The design choice exists so bartenders, store clerks, and law enforcement can immediately spot a young driver.
States often add colored bars or text to highlight age-related information. You might see a red bar reading “UNDER 21 UNTIL [date]” or a blue bar stating “PROVISIONAL UNTIL AGE 18.” Some states print “PROVISIONAL,” “INTERMEDIATE,” or “LIMITED” directly in the license header. These markings correspond to graduated licensing stages, which typically restrict nighttime driving, the number of passengers, and phone use until the driver gains enough experience behind the wheel.
Interlock, Medical, and Hardship Notations
A license issued after a DUI suspension often carries two visible signals at once: an interlock code and, in some states, a separate notation describing the permitted purposes of driving, such as work, school, or treatment. Hardship or occupational licenses frequently display those purpose limits in plain text rather than a code.
Medical restrictions on a standard license are handled the same way as any other restriction: they’re printed on the card. If a driver’s medical condition changes, the licensing agency can add, remove, or update restrictions after a new evaluation, and the card is reissued to reflect the change.
Some restrictions don’t fit on the card at all. Drivers with certain physical conditions who operate commercial vehicles may need to carry a separate Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate or variance document alongside their license. The document details required equipment, such as specialized controls or prosthetics, and must be in the vehicle at all times during operation.2Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Medical If you’re inspecting a commercial driver’s credentials, the license alone may not tell the full story; the paperwork in the cab fills in the rest.
Reading an Unfamiliar Restricted License
Because codes aren’t standardized across state lines, the same letter can mean different things in different jurisdictions. A “B” restriction in one state might require corrective lenses; in another it might require an outside mirror. The back of the card is the authoritative reference for that specific license. If the back legend is worn or unreadable, the issuing state’s DMV publishes a current code list online.
A few quick checks will tell you most of what you need to know about any license in front of you. Look at the orientation first: vertical generally means under 21. Scan the header for words like “PROVISIONAL” or “RESTRICTED.” Find the restrictions field on the front, then match any codes against the legend on the back. If the card references an interlock, a purpose limit, or an accompanying document, those terms govern how the person is allowed to drive, and driving outside them is treated as a separate offense in most states rather than a minor technicality.