Texas Driver Education & Licensing Resources
Find Your TEXAS Driving Course
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Why Choose DOT Driving School in Texas?
DOT Driving School is your trusted source for Texas driving courses, driver education, and free study tools designed to help Texas drivers become safer and more confident behind the wheel. Tap any topic to learn more.
We offer a complete selection of online Texas teen drivers education, Texas adult driver education, defensive driving / traffic school, and other driver improvement courses. Our online courses are recommended for additional practice, skill development, and driver knowledge.
Getting licensed doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. We combine high-quality online education with powerful free study tools. Practice as much as you'd like with our Free Texas Permit Practice Test, designed to closely match the Texas DPS knowledge exam. Build real-world confidence with our Free Driver's License Simulator, where you can practice driving scenarios in a fun, interactive environment. Study Texas road signs, review Texas traffic laws, and strengthen your driving skills before ever getting behind the wheel.
From teens earning their first learner's permit and adults obtaining a Texas driver's license to drivers completing defensive driving or traffic school requirements — or anyone who simply wants to become a safer, more knowledgeable driver — DOT Driving School provides everything you need in one convenient place. Our courses are 100% online, self-paced, affordable, and supported by free study tools that help Texas drivers succeed.
Texas driver's education, Texas DPS permit test, Houston driving school, Texas behind-the-wheel training, TX parent-taught driver's ed
How to Get a Texas Driver's License
From your first learner's permit to a full Texas driver's license, here's the general path most Texas drivers follow. Always verify the latest requirements with Texas DPS. Tap any step to expand the details.
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Texas learner license. A parent or legal guardian must provide authorization, and you must meet school attendance requirements (VOE form).
Teens under 18 must complete a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)-approved driver education course. You can choose a driving school, a parent-taught program, or a hybrid — the classroom portion must be underway before you receive your learner license.
Pass the Texas DPS knowledge test covering traffic laws and road signs (70% to pass), then visit a driver license office with your parent, required documents, and your driver education certificate to receive your learner license.
Finish the behind-the-wheel portion of your driver education course and log 30 hours of supervised driving — at least 10 hours at night — with a licensed adult 21 or older seated beside you. No wireless devices are allowed while driving on a learner license.
Before your driving skills test, complete the Impact Texas Drivers video program and print your certificate. The ITD certificate must be presented at the time of the driving test.
After holding your learner license for at least 6 months (or turning 18), pass the driving skills test to receive your provisional Texas driver license at 16, which carries nighttime and passenger restrictions.
Your provisional restrictions end and you receive your full, unrestricted Texas driver license at age 18.
Texas Driver's Education Requirements
Texas has specific driver education requirements for new drivers. Tap any topic to expand the details.
Texas requires all teens under 18 to complete a TDLR-approved driver education course before receiving a driver license. You can complete it through a licensed driving school, a parent-taught driver education program, or a combination of the two. The classroom portion must be underway before you can get your learner license at 15.
The course includes classroom instruction plus behind-the-wheel driving. Before the driving skills test, teens must also complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) video program and present the certificate at the DPS.
Adults 18 to 24 must complete a 6-hour adult driver education course before testing for a Texas driver license; adults 25 and older are not required to take driver education but must pass the knowledge and driving tests.
Texas Permit Test Requirements
The Texas permit test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. Tap any topic to expand the details.
The Texas learner license knowledge test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving rules from the Texas Driver Handbook. You must score at least 70% to pass, and the test may be taken as part of an approved driver education course or at a DPS office.
You must also pass a vision test. Teens hold the learner license for at least 6 months — or until age 18 — before taking the driving skills test, and must complete the Impact Texas Drivers program first.
Before your DPS exam, practice with our free Texas permit practice test — questions modeled on the Texas knowledge exam covering road signs, traffic laws, and right-of-way rules. Take it as many times as you'd like to build confidence before test day.
Start the free practice test →Texas Traffic School & Driver Improvement
Texas offers state-approved defensive driving (driver safety) courses drivers can take to dismiss a traffic ticket, satisfy a court order, or earn an insurance discount.
A 6-hour TDLR/TEA-approved course drivers can take once every 12 months to dismiss one eligible traffic ticket and keep it off their driving record.
A 6-hour course many Texas insurers accept for a defensive-driving insurance discount, typically valid for up to three years.
Texas Licensing Agency
Texas driver licensing is administered by Texas DPS. Tap any topic to expand the details.
Texas driver licensing is administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS driver license division issues learner licenses, driver's licenses, and ID cards and conducts knowledge and driving tests statewide.
Learn about the Texas DPS →Texas Driver's License FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about Texas learner's permits, driver education, and getting licensed.
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Texas learner license. A parent or legal guardian must authorize the application, and you must meet school attendance requirements.
Yes. Teens under 18 must complete a TDLR-approved driver education course, available through a driving school or a parent-taught program. Adults 18–24 must complete a 6-hour adult driver education course before testing.
Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) is a short video program all teen drivers must complete and present the certificate for before taking the driving skills test at the DPS.
You must log at least 30 hours of supervised driving — including 10 hours at night — with a licensed adult 21 or older seated in the front passenger seat.
A provisional license (ages 16–17) restricts driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and limits you to no more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member, with exceptions for work, school, and emergencies.
Yes. A 6-hour state-approved defensive driving course can dismiss one eligible traffic ticket every 12 months and may also qualify you for an insurance discount.
Disclaimer
Courses identified as “State Approved” are licensed, approved, or accepted by the applicable state agency, as specifically stated on the individual course listing. Not all courses offered through this website are state approved or state required.
DOT Driving School is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the DMV, DOT, FLHSMV, any state driver licensing agency, or any federal, state, county, or local governmental agency, except where a specific course approval or authorization is expressly stated.