Teen Learners Permit and Drivers License in Texas

Getting Your Texas Learner License

Once you complete 3 days of the classroom phase of Driver’s Ed, it’s time to take the written exam to get your learner license. You will do this at Drive Smart Driving School.

You must apply for your TX learner’s permit in person. You can save yourself some time by making an appointment online. If you’re under 18 years old, you must bring your parent(s) or legal guardian to sign off on paperwork.

When you visit your local Texas DPS office, you’ll need to:

  • Provide proof of identity and lawful U.S. presence (e.g. unexpired U.S. passport, Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, original or certified birth certificate).
  • 2 documents proving residency (e.g. Texas high school transcript or report card, medical or health card, paycheck).
  • Proof of Social Security number (e.g. Social Security card, health insurance card, pay-stub with name and SSN).
  • Bring a completed Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) or a high school diploma or GED.
  • Submit a completed Application for Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-14A) with your parent/guardian’s signature of consent.
  • Provide the following driver education forms that apply to you:
    • A Texas Driver Education Certificate (Form DE-964) issued to students at Drive Smart Driving School who complete the first three days, are paid in full and pass the permit exam.
  • Pay the $16 learner license fee.

 

Drivers License/Provisional License

Once you have held your learner’s permit for 6 months, and you’ve completed your 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training, all of your scheduled classes and have reached 16 years old, it’s time to make a trip to the DPS and take your driving test. Successfully pass this test and Phase Two, with your solo license, begins. Prior to testing, all teens must watch a video called ITTD and print out a certificate of completion. the video and registration can be found at https://impacttexasteendrivers.dps.texas.gov/

  • Q: Is ITTD part of the 32 classroom hours of Driver Education required to complete prior to taking the skills (behind the wheel) examination?
    A: ITTD is a separate requirement and must be completed no more than 90 days prior to the applicant taking the skills examination. ITTD should be completed after the 32 classroom hours and all behind the wheel instruction has been given and is the last step before taking the driving skills examination.
  • Q: Who is required to take ITTD?
    A: Any applicant who has taken a Teen Driver Education Course (32 hours classroom/44 hours behind the wheel), issued a DE-964, and is scheduled to take a drive test September 1, 2015 and beyond is required to view the ITTD program and receive a completion certificate before the drive test will be administered. The certificate must be dated within 90 days of the drive test.Applicants ages 18-24 who have been issued an ADE-1317 showing completion of Adult Driver Education (6 hours classroom) are not required to take ITTD at this time.

Restricted Driving with an Intermediate License

With your Intermediate License, you can now drive solo without supervision, but there are a few restrictions:

  • You can’t drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
  • You can’t have more than 1 passenger under 21 years old who is not a family member.
  • You can have no wireless communication, hands-free or not, unless it is an emergency.

Once you turn 18 years old, the state GDL restrictions will be lifted. Your Texas driver’s license will be marked  “provisional” until you turn 18 years old.