License restrictions explain your driving limitations. License restriction codes are printed on the front of your license on the line under the "Expiration date" and "E" Endorsement Fields, after the letter "R". A description of any restrictions you have is printed on the back of your photo license document. See sample license documents for restriction code placement.

If you operate only in Excepted Interstate or Excepted Intrastate operations, you are not required to hold a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Medical Examiner's Certificate. Certifying to an excepted operation (Ei/EA) will result in the A3 - Medical Certification Exempt restriction being placed on your CDL.

If you have a K restriction (CDL Intrastate Only), you are limited to driving in New York State only. The K restriction does not mean that you do not need USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate.

If you have an S1 restriction (School Bus Only), you are limited to driving only a school bus in New York State only.

See School Bus Only Restriction for more information.

If your USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate indicates "must be accompanied by a Hearing or Seizure waiver exemption or an SPE Certificate," you must obtain a Medical Variance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

FMCSA sends the Medical Variance directly to DMV. Visit the FMCSA website for more information about Medical Variances.

If you have a Medical Variance, you must have a "V" Restriction placed on your CDL. If you have a Medical Variance and a V Restriction is not present on your driver license document now, you must visit a DMV office with a copy of your current USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate to amend your CDL. A license amendment fee will apply.