What Is Restriction G on a Texas Driver’s License?

Restriction G on a Texas driver’s license means the holder is under 18 and must follow Texas Transportation Code Section 545.424 until the expiration date printed next to the code. That statute imposes three rules at once: no wireless device use while driving, no driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m., and no more than one non-family passenger under 21 in the vehicle.¹² The restriction appears on every provisional license issued to a driver under 18, and the date on the card tells you exactly when it stops applying.

The Three Rules You Have to Follow

Each piece of Restriction G targets a specific teen-driving risk. All three apply at the same time, and all three apply to the same driver.

No wireless devices. A driver under 18 cannot use any wireless communication device while the vehicle is moving. That includes hands-free setups, not just handheld phones. The statute defines the term broadly to cover any handheld or hands-free device using commercial mobile service. The only exception is an actual emergency.²
No driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Nighttime driving in that window is prohibited unless the trip is for work, a school-related activity, or a medical emergency.²
One non-family passenger under 21. The driver cannot carry more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.²

The passenger rule is the one that catches most teens off guard. Siblings, parents, and other relatives of any age don’t count toward the cap. Two friends in the car does, even for a two-block drive.

And notice there is no exception written into the phone rule other than a true emergency. Hands-free calls, texting at a red light, checking GPS mid-drive are all off limits for a driver under 18, even where an adult driver would be allowed.

Exceptions to the Curfew and Passenger Rules

The statute carves out several situations where the curfew or passenger cap bends:

Work. Driving to or from a job at any hour is permitted, and the statute specifically includes working on a family farm.²
School activities. Trips tied to school events qualify, from early-morning athletics to late-night rehearsals.
Medical emergencies. Urgent medical situations override the curfew.
Learner permit with a required supervisor. If the teen still holds a learner license and is accompanied by the licensed adult required under Section 521.222(d)(2), the curfew and passenger limit do not apply.²

What a Violation Costs

Penalties depend on which part of Restriction G gets broken. Using a wireless device while driving under 18 carries a fine between $25 and $99 for a first offense. A repeat violation moves the range to $100 through $200.²

Breaking any license restriction, including the curfew or the passenger cap, is a separate misdemeanor under the Transportation Code, punishable by a fine of up to $200.³ The dollar amounts are modest, but a citation can push up insurance rates and can complicate the next step in the graduated licensing process.

How Officers Enforce It

A police officer cannot pull you over just to check whether you are violating Restriction G. The statute says an officer may not stop a vehicle or detain its operator for the sole purpose of determining whether Section 545.424 has been violated.² In practice, officers find Restriction G violations during stops triggered by something else: speeding, a broken taillight, an at-fault accident. A young-looking driver stopped at 2 a.m. for rolling a stop sign will have the license checked, and the curfew violation stacks on top of the original reason for the stop.

When Restriction G Comes Off

Restriction G is age-based, so removal is simple. The code prints with a specific expiration date on the license itself. Once that date passes, Section 545.424 no longer applies, even if the physical card still shows the code.

If you want a clean card without the restriction printed on it, you can visit a DPS driver license office in person and request a replacement.¹ The replacement fee is $11 and covers changes like removing restrictions.⁴ Your license expiration date stays the same; only the face of the card changes. Many drivers skip the replacement and wait for their next regular renewal, since the restriction is unenforceable after the printed date regardless of what the old card still says.

1
Department of Public Safety. Driver License Endorsements and Restrictions
2
State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code 545.424
3
State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code 521.221
4
Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees