Getting Your First Texas Driver's License

Written by Joey Rosenberg

Complete Parent-Taught Driver Education

If you have already followed the steps to obtain a Texas learner's permit, here's how to complete the requirements to obtain your Texas provisional driver's license.

  1. Continue completing all modules within the Texas Driver Education class. Our 100% online program is approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
  2. In addition to the online class, you must also complete 44 hours of driving practice in the car with a parent, legal guardian, or commercial driving school instructor. At least 10 of these hours must be a night.
  3. Upon successful completion of the Texas Driver Education class, your certificate of completion will be available for instant download.

Complete the Impact Texas Teen Driver's Course

As of Sept. 1, 2015, aspiring drivers must complete the Impact Texas Teen Drivers program (ITTD). Without an ITTD certificate of completion, anyone seeking a Texas Driver's License cannot take the driving skill test. You must take the Texas driving test within 90 days of completing the Impact Texas Teen Drivers class.

Before taking the ITTD program, you must complete the Texas online driver's education class in addition to the behind-the-wheel training.

Please note: The 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training are built into the Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education class, with the parent/legal guardian acting as the driving instructor. The Texas Online Drivers Ed course allows the student to meet the state's behind-the-wheel requirement by adding on our Behind-the-Wheel training course OR by completing the training with an instructor at a traditional driving school.

Apply for a Texas Driver's License

Students (accompanied by a parent or legal guardian) must make an appointment at their nearest Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) location. To obtain a Texas Driver's License, the student will need to successfully complete a road test at the DPS. The following must be brought to the DPS appointment:

  1. The certificate of completion from TexasDrivingSchool.com
  2. The certificate of completion from Impact Texas Teen Drivers program
  3. For Texas Online Drivers Ed students:
    Certificate(s) of completed behind-the-wheel (44 hours) from our Behind-the-Wheel course or from a certified instructor at a driving school.
    • 7 Hours of in-car observation
    • 7 Hours of in-car instruction
    • 30 Hours of in-car practice
    For PTDE Students:
    All completed forms from the PTDE Program Guide (only applies for Parent-Taught course students)
  4. Identifying documents:
  5. Proof of Texas vehicle registration and proof of financial responsibility for vehicle owner or a statement that the student does not own a vehicle.

Those under 18 are issued what is known in Texas as a Provisional License, which expires on the driver's 18th birthday. These licenses have a vertical orientation and are marked "provisional."

The Parent-Taught and Self-Taught Texas Driver's License Courses help students fulfill the requirements for a Class C Driver's License. Texas drivers need this type of license to operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 pounds. If you plan to operate a motorcycle, a commercial vehicle, or a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,001 pounds, you will need to fulfill additional licensing requirements.

If you have any questions about the course, take a look at our frequently asked questions or contact our live Live Chat Customer Support.