Texas Adult Drivers Education
While it’s easy to think of getting a drivers license as a teenage rite of passage, there are many people who, for a variety of valid reasons, learn to drive and get licensed as adults.
In Texas, their journey looks like this:
Adult Driving Students: 18 - 24
Even amongst adults, the path to getting a license will vary slightly by age. Here’s what adults between the ages of 18 to 24 can expect.
Adult Drivers Ed Course: 6 Hours
New drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are required to take a six-hour Adult Drivers Ed course before applying for a Texas drivers license. This course can be taken in a classroom setting or online, as long as it is approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Topics Covered
Students taking this course will learn about the following topics:
Right-of-Way Rules
Traffic Control Devices
Sharing the Road
Effects of Drugs and Alcohol Impairment
Passing a DPS-approved course provider’s exam exempts the student from having to take the Texas Department of Public Safety written Class C Knowledge test. Three attempts at passing the test are allowed before a student is required to retake the course.
An ADE-1317 Certificate is issued to the student upon successful completion of this course.
Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) Course: 1 Hour
Having completed an approved Adult Drivers Ed course, first-time adult drivers then need to take a seperate Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) course.
This free course is comprised of a one-hour informational video that provides educational information on the dangers of distracted driving. The video also shares real life stories of people and their families who were impacted as a result of distracted driving.
This requirement should be completed no more than 90 days prior to the student taking the DPS driving skills test. Information regarding registering for the ITYD course and viewing the video can be found on the DPS website.
An ITYD certificate will be emailed to the student upon viewing the video. This certificate will need to be printed by the student for submission to the drivers license office or third-party skills test provider through whom the student will be taking the driving skills test.
The certificate will carry a 90-day expiration date.
Vision & Hearing Exam
A vision and hearing exam will need to be completed at the student’s local DPS office prior to taking the driving skills test.
Behind the Wheel Road Test
The final step to getting a license is the successful completion of a behind-the-wheel road test, which can be scheduled by appointment through the DPS. Information on scheduling a driving test can be found at the DPS website.
If desired, an adult driving student may go to their local DPS office and request a drivers permit to practice driving with a person 21 years or older prior to taking the road test.
Adult Driving Students: 25+
New drivers 25 years old or more will follow a path similar to that described above, except they are not required to take the six-hour Adult Drivers Ed course. The DPS highly encourages it, however, because these students will be required to take the DPS Class C Knowledge exam if they haven’t taken the Adult Drivers Ed course and exam.
Where to Take the Adult Drivers Ed in Austin
Adult driving students in Austin have a handful of DPS-approved education providers from which to choose. Many students, find the providers of online classes to be the most convenient and conducive to their already full schedules.
That’s especially true with the IDriveSafely Adult Drivers Ed course, where we have made the process as smooth and simple for you as possible. Sign up in minutes and get started today.
