Texas Permit Test: 70% to Pass
Texas teen licensing has two GDL phases: Learner License and Provisional License. Teens may begin driver-education classroom work at 14, but the learner license starts at 15 after either the first 6 classroom hours under the concurrent method or all 24 classroom hours under the block method and the knowledge-test requirement.
Independent guide. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by a DMV, DPS or other government agency. Use the official state links below when a rule, fee or procedure matters.
Texas teen driver education is more than just the classroom course. Before the provisional license, DPS lists 7 hours of in-car observation, 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction/demonstration and 30 hours of additional driving practice, including 10 hours at night, plus ITTD within 90 days of the skills test. See the complete Texas teen timeline →
- 70%knowledge-exam passing mark
- 15minimum teen learner-license age
- 6 monthsminimum learner hold
Texas learner-license knowledge-test format
The Texas Driver Handbook puts the knowledge-exam pass mark at 70 percent. DPS gives the test in English or Spanish, and teens can take it during approved driver education or at a driver license office. DPS publishes no fixed number of questions, so study the whole current handbook. After a failed first try the application stays open for 90 days; the third failure, or the end of those 90 days, means applying and paying again. Everyone under 25 needs approved driver education.
| passing mark | 70% |
|---|---|
| test languages | English / Spanish |
| application window, up to 3 tries | 90 days |
Option 1: knowledge exam during approved driver education
The completion/certificate paperwork serves as evidence when the course administered the test.
Option 2: knowledge exam at DPS
If you did not take it during driver education, complete it at the driver license office.
The steps to a Texas driver license
For a Texas learner license at 15 to 17 you need the driver-education classroom checkpoint (the first 6 hours, or all 24 in a block course), school-attendance proof (VOE, diploma or GED), citizenship or lawful-presence, identity, residency and Social Security documents, a passed knowledge test and a vision test. The fee is $16.
- Step 1. At age 15–17, complete the required classroom hours for your approved teen driver-education method, gather citizenship/lawful-presence, residency, identity, SSN, driver-ed and VOE/diploma documents, show knowledge-test completion or take it at DPS, pass vision and obtain the $16 learner license.
- Step 2. Hold the learner license at least six months unless you turn 18. Complete the full behind-the-wheel driver-education package: 7 hours observation, 7 hours behind-the-wheel instruction/demonstration, and 30 hours practice with a licensed adult age 21+, including at least 10 hours at night.
- Step 3. At 16–17, complete Impact Texas Teen Drivers within 90 days of the skills test, pass the driving test through DPS or an authorized third-party school, then follow provisional passenger, midnight–5 a.m. and cellphone restrictions until age 18.
Before you go: requirements and documents
Texas teen learner-license requirements
Texas teen learner license: age 15–17, the classroom hours, identity, residency, SSN and lawful-presence proof, driver-ed certificate, VOE and vision test.
Open the requirements guide →Documents for a Texas teen learner license
Texas teen learner-license documents: application, lawful presence, Texas residency, identity, SSN, driver-ed certificate, test evidence and VOE.
Open the document checklist →Bring citizenship/lawful-presence, identity and Texas-residency proof
Use DPS's current acceptable-document lists because combinations differ by status.
Provide Social Security number for electronic verification
DPS verifies the SSN during the application process.
Fees
Texas charges $16 for an under-18 learner license and $16 for an under-18 driver license; a new Class C license for ages 18 to 84 costs $33. These totals already include the $1 administrative fee.
| under-18 learner | $16 |
|---|---|
| under-18 new DL | $16 |
| new DL age 18–84 | $33 |
See the full Texas fee guide →
Texas teen learner and provisional-license path
Texas has two teen phases. Driver education starts before the learner license and continues after it, so getting the learner card does not mean the education requirement is finished.
Step 1: start approved driver education
Concurrent: first 6 classroom hours before learner; block: all 24 before learner.
Step 2: learner license at 15
Complete the document, knowledge, school and vision requirements; drive only with a licensed adult 21+ in the front passenger seat.
Step 3: hold six months and finish 7+7+30/10
Complete the behind-the-wheel observation/instruction and 30 practice hours including 10 at night.
First Texas driver's license for adults
Texas has a clear age split: first-time applicants 18–24 generally must complete six hours of adult driver education; ages 25+ have no driver-education requirement, although education is recommended. Skills-test applicants age 18+ still complete an Impact Texas Drivers program.
Ages 18–24: complete six-hour Adult Driver Education
The requirement is waived for certain new residents age 18+ surrendering a valid unexpired out-of-state license.
Age 25+: driver education is not required
DPS still strongly recommends driver education for first-time drivers.
Prepare the standard first-license document/insurance package
Bring citizenship/lawful-presence, identity, residency, SSN and vehicle insurance/ownership statements as applicable.
Appointments and office visits
Book Texas DPS driver license office visits, including the Class C road skills test, in DPS's Driver License Services appointment system. An approved third-party school sets its own test dates and fees.
Schedule the learner-license office visit
Bring the parent/guardian or qualifying notarized authorization plus the full teen document package.
DPS road test: select Class C Road Skills Test
Bring current registration and insurance for the test vehicle and all required education/ITD documents.
Third-party test: schedule with an authorized school
School test fees are not regulated by DPS; some schools submit eligible results electronically through the TPST portal.
Texas permit and road-test locations
Texas splits government credentialing from optional third-party skills testing. A driver-education school can test your driving, but DPS/online processing issues the actual license.
Find the right office
Use a Texas DPS driver license office for learner and provisional licenses and DPS tests, or a TPST school for the Class C driving test.
Open office locations →Check the service first
Office types, appointment rules and testing availability can differ by location. Confirm the exact service before you travel.
Check appointment rules →After the permit: prepare for the road test
Book a Texas DPS driving test using the state appointment scheduler. Before choosing a date, prepare your license number, ITD completion, proof of driver education if needed and insured test vehicle.
Reserve a driving test through Texas DPS
Use the Texas DPS appointment scheduler with your assigned driver license number and required test-day documents.
Next step
Teen: complete six-month learner hold and full driver education
Finish the 7 observation, 7 driving/instruction and 30/10 practice requirements before the provisional skills test.
Open the full road-test guide →
Practice for the Texas knowledge test
Texas missions are live in Road to Permit: practice Texas questions in the game, the first five missions free. Use these pages for the 70% knowledge exam, the 15+ learner license and its six-month hold, the 7+7+30/10 driver-education package, ITTD within 90 days of the driving test and the provisional restrictions.
Texas road signs for the learner test
Whether your knowledge exam is administered by driver education or DPS, sign recognition belongs inside the broader Texas traffic-law curriculum.
Study road signs →How to study the Texas Driver Handbook
Texas lets many teens complete the knowledge exam inside approved driver education. Whether you test in the course or at DPS, study current Texas law and signs rather than an old fixed question count.
Open the handbook study guide →What to study
Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.
- Study Texas traffic laws and safe-driving rules
- Learn traffic signs, signals and markings
- Teen applicants: learn GDL rules
- Use your approved driver-education provider materials too
- Use the current DPS copy
- How to study the Texas handbook
- Turn the handbook into active practice
- Recognize sign shapes and colors
- Know the required action
Texas permit test: questions and answers
What is the Texas knowledge-test format?
You pass the Texas knowledge exam with 70 percent or better (Texas Driver Handbook), and DPS gives it in English or Spanish. Teens take it during approved driver education or at a driver license office. DPS publishes no fixed number of questions.
What do I need before I apply in Texas?
For a Texas learner license at 15 to 17 you need the driver-education classroom checkpoint (the first 6 hours, or all 24 in a block course), school-attendance proof (VOE, diploma or GED), citizenship or lawful-presence, identity, residency and Social Security documents, a passed knowledge test and a vision test. The fee is $16.
Which documents should I prepare?
For a Texas teen learner license, bring proof of citizenship or lawful presence, identity and Texas residency, your Social Security number, the Driver Education Certificate for your course type (DE-964, DEE-964 or DE-964E) and a VOE, diploma or GED.
How much does the permit or first license cost?
Texas charges $16 for an under-18 learner license and $16 for an under-18 driver license; a new Class C license for ages 18 to 84 costs $33. These totals already include the $1 administrative fee.
Where do I make an appointment?
Book Texas DPS driver license office visits, including the Class C road skills test, in DPS's Driver License Services appointment system. An approved third-party school sets its own test dates and fees.
How old do I have to be for a Texas teen learner license?
At least 15 and no older than 17 for the teen Phase I route.
Can I start driver education before 15?
Yes. Texas allows the classroom phase to begin at age 14.
How much classroom driver education before the learner license?
Concurrent method: the first 6 hours; block method: all 24 classroom hours.
Where do I take the knowledge test?
It may be completed during approved driver education or at DPS if you did not take it in the course.
What score do I need on the Texas knowledge exam?
70 percent or better, according to the Texas Driver Handbook. DPS does not publish a fixed number of questions.
Can I take the Texas knowledge test in Spanish?
Yes. DPS offers the driver license knowledge test in English or Spanish.
What happens if I fail the knowledge exam?
The application stays open for 90 days. A third failed attempt, or the end of the 90 days, means a new application and a new fee.
How much is the Texas learner license under 18?
$16 and it expires on the 18th birthday.
How long must I hold the learner license?
At least six months unless you turn 18; suspension time extends the period.
What behind-the-wheel work is required?
DPS lists 7 hours observation, 7 hours driving/instruction and 30 additional practice hours, including 10 at night.
When do I take Impact Texas Teen Drivers?
After the behind-the-wheel requirements and within 90 days before the skills test.
What are the provisional passenger restrictions?
No more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
What is the provisional curfew?
No driving midnight–5 a.m. except for work, school activities or medical emergencies.
Can a Texas teen use hands-free cellphone features?
No. Under-18 provisional drivers are barred from wireless communication-device use, including hands-free, except emergencies.
What is required for a first Texas license at ages 18–24?
A six-hour adult driver-education course is required unless an applicable new-resident waiver applies, plus an Impact Texas Drivers certificate within 90 days of the skills test.
Complete Texas driver guide
Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.
How to study the Texas Driver Handbook
Study the current Texas Driver Handbook and your driver-education materials for the laws, signs and safe-driving rules on the knowledge exam.
Open guide →Texas teen learner-license requirements
Texas teen learner license: age 15–17, the classroom hours, identity, residency, SSN and lawful-presence proof, driver-ed certificate, VOE and vision test.
Open guide →Documents for a Texas teen learner license
Texas teen learner-license documents: application, lawful presence, Texas residency, identity, SSN, driver-ed certificate, test evidence and VOE.
Open guide →Texas learner-license and driving-test appointments
Texas DPS books office visits and Class C road tests by appointment. Third-party skills schools schedule their own tests and can submit results online.
Open guide →Texas Class C driving skills test
Book a Texas DPS driving test through the state's scheduler. Bring ITD completion, required driver education proof and insurance for the test vehicle.
Open guide →Texas road signs for the learner test
Study Texas regulatory, warning, school, railroad, work-zone and guide signs, signals and markings from the Driver Handbook before the exam.
Open guide →Texas learner and Class C license fees
Texas DPS currently charges $16 for a new under-18 learner license or driver license and $33 for a new Class C driver license ages 18–84.
Open guide →Texas learner-license knowledge-test format
DPS publishes no fixed question count: study the whole handbook, signs included. Test at DPS in English or Spanish, or in driver ed. Free Texas practice.
Open guide →Texas teen learner and provisional-license path
Texas teens: driver ed from 14, learner license at 15, six months, 7+7+30 hours with 10 at night, ITTD, road test, then provisional limits.
Open guide →First Texas driver's license for adults
Texas adult first-license guide: ages 18–24 generally need a six-hour adult driver-education course; ages 25+ do not.
Open guide →Texas permit and road-test locations
Use a Texas DPS driver license office for learner and provisional licenses and DPS tests, or a TPST school for the Class C driving test.
Open guide →Official sources
Last updated . Procedures and fees can change, so check the official page before you apply.
- Texas DPS — Teen Learner License
- Texas DPS — Teen Provisional License
- Texas DPS — Graduated Driver License
- Texas DPS — Choosing Driver Education
- Texas DPS — Apply for a Texas Driver License
- Texas DPS — Driver License Fees
- Texas DPS — Third Party Skills Testing
- Texas DPS — Schedule Driving Test
- Impact Texas Teen Drivers
- Texas DPS — Driver Handbook DL-7
- Texas DPS — Testing in Other Languages
- Texas — Driver Handbook DL-7
- Texas DPS — Identification Requirements
- Texas DPS — Residency Requirement
- Texas DPS — U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence Requirement
- Texas DPS — Driver License Services: Appointments
- Texas DPS — Online Services
- Texas DPS — FAQ: Scheduling a Road Test
- Texas DPS — Impact Texas Drivers
- Texas DPS — Driver License FAQ