Requirements By Age

*You can have the driving test requirement waived if you complete the classroom and behind-the-wheel portions of a Texas driver’s ed course and your instructor allows you skip the test.

Graduated Driver License Program

When the state enacted this program for teens, it didn’t change the basic requirements for obtaining a license. Instead it split the requirements for those applicants younger than 18 into two phases. Steps one through four below cover Phase One; Steps four through six cover Phase II.

If you have not yet turned 18, you must:

1. Complete the classroom portion of the driver education requirement.
2. Obtain and hold a valid instruction permit or hardship license for six months if you are at least 15 years old.
3. Complete the laboratory (driving) portion of the driver education requirement.
4. Turn 16 years old to apply for a Class C license (or 17 for a Class A or B license).
5. Obtain and hold a valid provisional license for at least another six months.
6. Obtain a regular (and unrestricted) driver’s license.

Take Drivers Education

Residents

As long as you are between the ages of 14 and 17, you might be eligible to take advantage of the state’s Parent Taught Driver Education Program. To make things even easier, our sponsor offers a state-approved, parent-taught course that you can order online (no more than 10 hours of video count toward the 32-hour classroom requirement). You must first apply with the state to make sure you are eligible to take the program:

1. Complete a request form (DL-92).
2. Have ready a check or money order to pay the $20 nonrefundable fee.
3. Mail the form and fee to:

• Texas Department of Public Safety

• License Issuance Bureau

• P.O. Box 149246

• Austin, TX 78714-9246

You’ll receive the program details in the mail within two to three weeks.

If you prefer another method of driver’s ed, the state offers a number of alternatives. Each program requires a minimum of 32 hours classroom instruction, 7 hours behind-the-wheel instruction, and 20 hours behind-the-wheel instruction (10 of which must be night driving) practice.

New to the State

If you have completed driver education in another state, all you have to do is show proof when applying for your permit. You’ll also have to present verification you are currently enrolled and attending a Texas school (or hold a high school diploma or GED) along with all other requirements listed above in the section for Texas residents.

If you are 16 and older not quite 18, the state will issue you a Phase Two provisional GDL as long as you can prove you completed a driver’s ed course and present a valid out-of-state instruction permit. Your Texas permit will have passenger and time restrictions on it for the first six months you operate your vehicle on Texas roads.

Driver Preparation Course

Obtain an Instruction Permit

New drivers ages 15 and older can obtain an instruction permit; the only restriction is that you have with you a validly licensed driver in the front seat who is at least 21. If you plan to get behind the wheel to practice driving at ANY time, you’ll need a permit no matter how old you are.

1. Be ready to present proof of identity and your Social Security number.
2. Obtain a driver education completion certificate. If you went through the Parent Taught Education Program you must have a completed Parental Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90A) and possibly a Classroom Instruction Record (DL-91A) that states you have completed all objectives the program requires.
3. Obtain Verification of Attendance and Enrollment in school (TEA form GEA-043R93).
4. If you own a vehicle, obtain proof it is registered in Texas and proof of liability insurance.
5. Complete Application for Texas Driver License (DL-14A)―and also get a parental authorization signature―which you can pick up at any Texas Driver License office.
6. Be prepared to turn in any out-of-state permits or licenses if you are new to Texas.
7. Be prepared to pay the appropriate fees for testing and applying for a permit.
8. With the above paperwork and fees, go to the nearest Texas Driver License office.

When you visit the branch office to apply for a permit, you’ll also take the written test. To prepare for the test, take a few practice tests. During this visit you’ll also take a vision exam, give your thumbprints, and have a photo taken.

Provisional Permit Driving Restrictions

Your instruction permit is designed to allow you get practice hours on the road while still under the supervision of a passenger with driving experience. Therefore you must always have someone in the front seat with you who holds a valid Texas drivers license and who is also at least 21 years old.

Practice Behind the Wheel

You must complete seven hours of in-car instruction and 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice (10 of which must be at night) before you can apply for a license. Heed the restrictions that apply to your permit so you can safely and legally learn how to operate a motor vehicle.

Apply for a License

Make sure you have done the following before going the DPS to apply for a license:

• Turned 16.

• Held a valid instruction permit for at least six months.

• Have completed 32 hours of classroom instruction, seven hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and 20 hours of in-car practice (10 of which at night).

If you meet the above requirements, you can graduate to Phase Two of the licensing process (and skip the driving test).

1) Take the Driving Test

If you're under 18 you must take the driving test. There are no exemptions. Contact your local Texas Driver License office to schedule a road test.

2) Begin Phase Two of the Graduated Driver’s License Program

As stated above, if you are at least 16 years old, have held an instruction permit for six months, and you have completed the classroom and driving portions of driver’s ed, you’ll begin Phase Two. A few restrictions apply for this next one year period once you enter this phase of the program:

• You cannot operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is younger than 21 unless these passengers are also family members of yours.

• You cannot operate a motor vehicle between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving the car to attend work or a school-related activity, or if you are responding to an emergency situation.

• You cannot a motor vehicle while using a cell phone or other wireless communication device.

3) Obtain a Provisional Driver’s License

Your license restriction will indicate when Phase Two of the graduated program expires. It should read “TRC 545.424 applies until MM DD YY." When that day arrives, the time and passenger restrictions are lifted. You might consider applying for a duplicate license at the nearest driver’s license office to remove the restriction, but you’ll have to pay an additional fee. If you opt not to apply for a duplicate, when it comes time for you to renew your current license on your birthday, the restrictions will then fall off (as long as the Phase Two one year time period has passed).

Once you get your provisional license in the mail you’ll notice it displays your info vertically. Until you turn 18 your license will be this way. Also notice the expiration on the vertical license occurs automatically on your 18th birthday.

To obtain this license you paid a fee. When it comes time to renew, the DPS won’t send a renewal notice; you’ll have to stay on top of this yourself. For each year of the renewal period you’ll pay a renewal fee. You’ll also have to prove you are enrolled in and attending school.

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