Most teenagers count down the days until they can apply for their learner's permit. It's just a rite of passage. But before they can get behind the wheel in Texas, they need to thoroughly study and prepare. If you're ready to get your driver's license, follow this handy guide.
Step 1: Enroll in a Driver's Ed Class
The first step in getting your Texas license is enrolling in a driver's ed class. You have to take a driver's ed class if you're under 25 years old. You can start the classroom portion as early as 14 years old, but you can't apply for your permit until you turn 15. There are four types of Texas driver's ed classes you can take:
A traditional driver's ed class from a certified driver training school.
An online driver's ed class from a certified driver training school.
Parent-taught driver's ed (PTDE).
Driver's ed from your high school (if they offer it).
If you're under 18, the course consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 44 hours of in-car driving with an instructor. You only have to complete the first six hours of classroom instruction (the first two chapters in the IDriveSafely course) before applying for your permit.
If you're between the ages of 18 and 25, you only have to take a six-hour course before you can get your license. To determine if you need to enroll in a class, Texas has a handy 'Do I Need Driver's Ed?' page.
How to Sign Up for IDriveSafely.com Courses
IDriveSafely.com courses are fully TDLR compliant, and we offer two types of online learning for aspiring drivers:
Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education: A 24-hour course for teen drivers aged 14-17. This course prepares new drivers for the learner license exam and helps parents work with their teens to thoroughly teach behind-the-wheel skills before they get their full license.
Texas Adult Drivers Education: A six-hour course for new drivers aged 18-24. This affordable course is fully online for the ultimate in scheduling flexibility.
Once you've chosen the right course based on your age, you can sign up with just a few clicks at our Texas online driving course main page. It’s fast and easy!
Step 2: Get Your Learner's Permit
After completing the first six hours of the course, 15- to 17-year-olds with their parent or guardian's consent can apply for their learner's permit. The process isn't too difficult:
Fill out a driver's license application.
Schedule an appointment at your local driver's license office.
Bring the required documents including proof of citizenship, Texas residency, identity, vehicle registration, insurance, Texas Driver Education Certificate, Verification of Enrollment and Attendance, and proof you passed your written knowledge exam. When you take an IDriveSafely.com course, you'll take the written exam online, so you don’t have to take a Texas DPS written test in person.
Pay the $16 license fee.
Have your picture taken.
Your Texas learner's permit allows you to drive with a licensed adult over the age of 21 in the front seat. You must have this for at least six months before getting your license unless you turn 18.
Step 3: Complete In-Car Training
Now that you have your learner's permit, you can finish up the in-car portion of your training. You'll need to complete 14 hours of in-car training with a state-approved driving instructor (if you're taking the Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education course, this will be your parent or legal guardian). They split the 14 hours into seven hours of direct instruction and seven hours of observation.
Once you finish the 14 hours, you'll need to log another 30 hours while with a licensed adult driver. You must complete 10 of these hours while driving at night.
Step 4: Take the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Course
Outside of the road test, the ITTD course is the final step in the licensing process. Texas introduced this course to help teens focus when they're behind the wheel. It is an eight-part video series that shows the dangers of distracted driving from those who learned the hard way.
You can complete each segment at your own convenience. You'll be able to print out a certification that you need to bring to the licensing center. The certificate is only valid for 90 days, so don't complete it too early.
Step 5: Take Your Road Test
Once you feel confident in your skills and check the required boxes, it's time to take the road test. Prepare for the road test correctly:
Study the driver's handbook front to back.
Practice the following maneuvers:
Backing up
Turning
Stopping
Controlling the vehicle
Schedule a driver's test appointment.
Bring your learner's permit, $16 license fee, proof of ITTD and driver's ed completion, proof of insurance, and a fully registered and functioning vehicle to the license center.
Complete the test with the instructor, which takes about 20 minutes.
Learn if you passed or failed. If you fail, you have three more attempts in 90 days before you have to pay a new application fee.
Hit the Road with Your New Texas License
To start the process of earning your Texas license, the first step is enrolling in Texas driver's ed. Sign up for your required driver's ed classes at IDriveSafely.com. For busy adults — and teens with shorter attention spans — online courses allow for customized scheduling. Take it whenever you want, and feel free to break the sessions up into smaller bites.
Update 06/24/24
