Drivers Ed in Texas

To complete Driver's Ed in Texas, you must:
  • Be at least 14 years old.
  • Finish 32 hours of classroom instruction.
  • Complete 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice.

Ready to learn more? Keep reading!

Driver's education is an invaluable resource for anybody who wants to be a smarter, safer, and more responsible driver. Driver's Ed teaches the importance of traffic safety and road awareness and it can also be an excellent refresher for those who are more seasoned drivers.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires the completion of Driver's Ed in order to obtain your first driver's license if you're 24 years old or younger.

Texas Driver's Ed Eligibility Requirements

Once you turn 14 years old, you can start the classroom phase of a TX driver's education course, but you'll have to wait until you're 15 years old to apply for your learner's permit.

New to Texas?

If you're new to Texas and already took teen Driver's Ed at your school in your previous state, it may be possible to transfer those credits to Texas.

You'll need a letter from your previous school written on their letterhead that confirms the amount of hours you completed in the classroom and behind the wheel.

Note that even if you already have a license or permit from your previous state and you can show proof of Driver's Ed, you'll still need to re-take the skills exam to transfer your credential to Texas.

If you have any questions about making a transfer, please call (512) 424-2600.

Don't Forget an Online Practice Test

An ideal compliment to your Driver's Ed course is preparing for a Texas DPS written exam with an online practice test. These industry-leading study helpers have been developed from content sourced directly from the TX Driver Handbook. It's like having the answers before you take the test!

About Your Texas Driver's Ed Course

In Texas, Driver's Ed is mandatory if you are a first-time driver 24 years old and younger. Depending on your age, you will have different requirements for Driver's Ed.

Under 18 Years Old

If you're under 18 years old, your Driver's Ed course must include:

  • At least 32 hours of classroom instruction. This must be completed over at least 16 days.
  • 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training. These hours include:
    • 7 hours of in-car observation.
    • 10 hours of night driving.

NOTE: The required 32 hours of classroom instruction may vary depending on your course provider.

18 to 24 Years Old

If you're 18 through 24 years old, your Driver's Ed course must include:

  • 6 hours of classroom instruction (can be completed online).
  • 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training; not required if enrolled in an adult Driver's Ed course. These hours include:
    • 7 hours of in-car observation.
    • 10 hours of night driving.

You are also required to take an Impact Texas Driver course.

Types of Driver's Ed in Texas

In Texas, there are driver's education courses for both teens and adults.

Teen Driver's Ed

Teen Driver's Ed can be taken:

Your qualified instructor must:

  • Have a driver's license in good standing.
  • Have less than 6 points on their driver record.
  • Have never been convicted of or received a sentence for DUI, DWI, or a criminally negligent homicide.
  • Not be disabled due to a mental illness.

NOTE: If your instructor has lived outside of Texas during any part of the last 3 years, they must provide the TX DMV with a certified abstract driver record from their previous state when you apply for a driver's license.

Adult Driver's Ed

If you're between 18 through 24 years old, you have the choice between one of the following Texas driver's education options:

  • Adult Driver's Ed classroom instruction (can also be taken online).
    OR
  • Traditional driver's education, which includes behind-the-wheel training.

See “ About Your Driver's Ed Course" above for details on each of these options.

You are also required to take an Impact Texas Driver course.

Impact Texas Drivers

The Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) program is a DPS-required educational program that helps motorists understand the impacts of distracted driving. The program is split into 2 categories depending on your age and what sort of driver's education course you took. Read on for details on the program.

Impact Texas Teen Drivers

Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) is a free, 2 hour video that some drivers must view before taking their driving skills exam. You must view this video if:

  • You are 15 through 17 years old and have complete a teen driver's education course or a PTDE.
  • You are 18 through 24 years old and have completed a teen driver's education course.

After viewing the video, you will be e-mailed an ITTD certificate of completion. The certificate must be printed out and presented at your driving skills test within 90 days of completion or you must start the program over.

To register for and view the ITTD program, visit the state's Impact Texas Drivers website.

Impact Texas Young Drivers

Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) is a free, 1 hour video that some drivers must view before taking their driving skills exam. You must view the ITYD video if:

  • You are 18 through 24 years old and older who have completed the adult driver's education course.
  • You are 25 years old or over and may or may not have completed the driver's education course.

After viewing the video, you will be e-mailed an ITYD certificate of completion. The certificate must be printed out and presented at your driving skills test within 90 days of completion or you must start the program over.

To register for and view the ITYD program, visit the state's Texas Impact Drivers website.

After Driver's Ed – What's Next?

Once you complete your Texas Driver's Ed course, your course provider will provide you with a Certificate of Completion (Form DE-964) that you'll need to bring to a Texas DPS office when you apply for your learner's permit.

You'll have to wait until you turn 15 years old to apply for your TX learner's permit. For more information, refer to our Drivers Permits in Texas page.

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Forms

DE-964
Driver Education Certificate
Submit this certificate to DPS after completing an approved teen driver education course as part of applying for your Texas driver's license. Must be obtained from your driver education provider. Not available online.
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