Texas teen learner and provisional-license path

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.

Step 4: ITTD within 90 days and road test at 16+

Finish ITTD after behind-the-wheel education, then test through DPS or authorized TPST school.

Step 5: provisional license until 18

No more than one non-family passenger under 21; no midnight–5 a.m. driving except work/school/emergency; no wireless device use except emergency.

Driver education comes before or alongside the learner stage

Texas lets a teen begin the classroom portion of driver education before age 15, but a learner license cannot be issued until age 15. DPS describes both concurrent and block education methods, which determine whether the learner permit comes after the first classroom segment or after the full classroom phase.

Teen applicants have extra school documentation

In addition to the normal first-license identity and residency requirements, a teen applicant may need a Verification of Enrollment or qualifying school record. DPS publishes validity rules for the VOE, including a longer summer window.

• Texas documents checklist
• Texas first-license requirements

Learner-license restrictions and the six-month period

Texas requires a licensed adult, at least 21 years old, in the front passenger seat while a teen learner drives. DPS also prohibits learner-license cell-phone use except for an emergency and requires the learner license to be held for at least six months unless the driver turns 18 sooner.

Before the skills test, the teen route also includes the applicable Impact Texas Teen Drivers step.

• Texas road-test guide
• Texas DPS Impact Texas Drivers