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Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Texas
Getting a driver’s license for the first time is a life changing experience for any teen. Imagine no longer needing a ride to the mall, or waiting to be picked up after school. Once you have your Texas driver’s license in hand, those days will be a distant memory.
The process of getting your Texas driver’s license might seem complicated, but we’ve made it much easier to understand by explaining the process in a simple, easy-to-follow manner.
That’s what we’re all about at DMV.org.
New to Texas?
Teens under the age of 18 who have a license or learner's permit from another U.S. state/territory or Canada do not have to take the knowledge portion of the driver's test in Texas, but they must take the driving part in order to obtain a Texas state driver's license.
Teens will then be eligible to get a Phase Two license.
The Texas GDL Explained
In an effort to minimize the tremendous risks associated with first-time drivers, many states, including Texas, have adopted a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. Over the course of the GDL program, teens must achieve certain milestones prior to obtaining their driver licenses. Many of these milestones are age and experience related.
Let’s get started.
Age Requirements
- 15 Years Old: Eligible for a learner license or the Minor Restricted Driver License (MRDL), also known as a hardship license.
- 16 Years Old (Under 18 Years Old): Eligible to get a provisional driver's license after maintaining a valid learner's license for six months.
- 18 Years Old: Eligible to apply for a full license.
Driver's Education in Texas
All individuals younger than 25 years old must complete an approved driver's education course.
Teens can start driver's education as soon as they are 14 years old, but they cannot apply for their Phase One license until they are at least 15 Years Old.
There are three different options for teens to complete driver's education:
- An approved for-profit driver training school
- Public school driver education
- Parent-taught driver education
The Driver’s Ed requirement must include 32 hours of classroom instruction.
You can also take Driver’s Ed online! Check out this course from our friends at [insert advertiser’s name].
Phase One: Learner’s Permit
The minimum age for applying for your learner’s permit is 15 Years Old, but you can begin your driver’s education at age 14 if you want to get a jump start.
Let’s break down this complicated process into simple terms. The first milestone on your path to your driver’s license is obtaining a Texas learner’s permit.
Prepare for the Written Exam
If you’re at least 15 years and six months old and you have completed your first six hours of Driver’s Ed, it’s time to prepare for the DPS written exam. Grab a copy of the Texas Driver Handbook and start studying with your parents. This is also an ideal time to establish some house rules about driving.
Another excellent way to prepare for the DPS written exam is to take an online practice test. These professionally-crafted exams use information directly from the Texas Driver Handbook and deliver it in an easy-to-retain format, which will help you pass the test on your first attempt. What are you waiting for? Get your practice test now.
Pass the Texas Written Exam
Once you’ve completed Driver’s Ed and polished your skills with a practice test, it’s time to head to the DPS for your written exam.
NOTE: If you already passed the written exam as part of your Driver’s Ed course, you are exempt from taking it again.
Be sure to bring:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Proof of Texas residency or lawful presence in the state and country (you must have lived here for 30 days)
- Your Texas Driver Education Certificate (DE-964). You’ll get this when you complete driver’s education. *
- A completed Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (get one from your principal or school secretary), your high school diploma, or a GED
- A completed Application for Texas Driver’s License (DL-14A) with the parental authorization signature. Pick this up at any TX DPS office.
- $16 to cover the fee
- Your mom, dad, or legal guardian to sign off on the paperwork
- You can’t drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- You can’t have any passengers younger than 21 in your car, unless you’re with a licensed driver 21 or older.
- You can have no wireless communication, hands-free or not, unless it is an emergency.
- You must be at least 15 Years Old, but younger than 18.
- Complete the driver education course.
- Pass the knowledge, vision, and driving tests.
- Meet any other licensing requirements.
- Provide supporting documentation proving a need based on:
- Economic hardship
- Illness of a family member
- Enrollment in a VOE program that requires the applicant to be licensed to participate
- Have completed a driver's education course
- Already have a valid provisional driver license
- Complete an approved 16-hour motorcycle training course
- Parental permission
- Completion of a driver education course
- Completion of an approved 16-hour motorcycle training course
- Teen Guide to Car Insurance
- Buying Car Insurance for Teens
- Saving Money on Teen Car Insurance
- Adding Teens to Your Car Insurance Policy
- Texas Insurance Center
* You can substitute traditional Driver’s Ed with a Parent-Taught Education program. If you do, bring the completed Classroom Instruction Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90A) and a Classroom Instruction Log (DL-91A). These forms are included in the packet you’ll receive. Learn more about Parent-Taught Driver's Education.
Once you present your documents and fees, you’ll take the exam.
The written exam includes questions about traffic laws, road signs, and rules for safe driving―everything you’ll find in the Driver Handbook.
Once you pass the written test and a vision exam, you’ll earn your learner’s permit.
Get Behind-the-Wheel Training
Once you have your learner’s permit in your possession, it’s time to get busy. Your permit basically says that you understand the principles of being a responsible driver, but you still need some valuable practice.
How much practice, you ask? Great question.
With your learner’s permit in hand, you must log 20 hours of driver training with a licensed driver over 21 years of age. Also, 10 hours must be at night.
Phase Two: Intermediate License
Once you have held your learner’s permit for six months, and you’ve completed your 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training, it’s time to make a trip to the DPS and take your road test. Successfully pass this test and Phase Two, with your intermediate license, begins.
Restricted Driving with an Intermediate License
With your Intermediate License, you can now drive solo without supervision, but there are a few restrictions:
Once you have one year of safe driving under your belt with your intermediate license, or if you turn 18, the state GDL restrictions will be lifted. You’re now a fully licensed driver.
Congratulations!
Other Texas Licenses
Minor Restricted Driver License (MRDL)
The Minor Restricted Driver License (MRDL) is another kind of license teens can get. It’s not related to the GDL program; rather, it’s a type of hardship license that allows teens to become fully licensed at 15 years old if they meet certain requirements:
You and your parent, legal guardian, or employer (if there is no legal guardian) must file a Minor’s Restricted Driver License Application (DL-77) and, if applicable, a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form.
The Texas Department of Safety will determine whether or not the MRDL is justified on a case-by-case basis.
Teen Motorcycle/Moped License in Texas
Teens can get a motorcycle license at 16 years old once they:
Teens can get a moped/small-motor motorcycle license at 15 years old with:
Contact local DPS office for more information.
Texas Car Insurance Requirements
Auto insurance is required by law and is extremely important for protecting yourself financially if there is an accident. Adding a teen driver may significantly increase the cost of auto insurance premiums, so it is a good idea to check with multiple auto insurance companies to find the best coverage.
(At this point, you might want your parents to take over the reading!)
Phase One: Learner’s Permit Insurance
Phase One teens may be covered under the insurance of the adult licensed driver who is riding with them. Contact your insurance company to verify that the teen driver is covered when driving the vehicle with an adult. If not, get an insurance policy that covers the teen.
Phase Two: Intermediate License Insurance
Phase Two teen drivers are required to show proof of insurance in order to get their intermediate license. Parents can add teens to an existing family policy or a parent's policy, or teens can get their own policy.
There may be opportunities for teens and their families to qualify for discounts from insurance companies. For more information about discounts, rates, and coverage, visit the DMV.org resources:
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