Check how to select documentation in What It Takes to Apply for a DL or ID Card Brochure.
What if I have a serious reason for driving on my own? If you are at least 15 years old and can prove your necessity to drive due to a hardship, you may get a hardship license (Minor Restricted Driver License or MRDL), which will allow you to drive with some restrictions based on the hardship. To qualify, you must also complete a behind the wheel phase of a driver education course and apply together with an authorized adult (a parent, guardian, employer or county judge).
Getting a provisional license is phase 2 of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program that applies to drivers younger than 18 years of age. The provisional license will expire on your 18th birthday.
Provisional license restrictions: no driving with more than one passenger in the car under the age of 21 who is not a family member, no driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless for employment or school purposes or medical emergency, no use of a wireless communication device, including a hands-free device, except in an emergency.
The same is true about a hardship license if you possess one. You should also reach the age of 16 before you apply.
You must finish both the classroom and behind-the-wheel portions of driver education. You can complete it at your public school, driver training school or take a parent-taught driver education course (PTDE). Check here all driver education options.
It is a free, 2 hour informational video that shares the dangers of distracted driving. You must watch it after having completed a driver education course. Your certificate of ITTD course completion will be valid for 90 days. If you don't pass your driving skills exam within these 90 days, you'll have to take the ITTD course again.
You can schedule the test online at all driver license offices. To locate a nearby office, use this map. Alternatively, you can schedule a driving test appointment with an authorized Commercial Driver Education school ( also known as a third party skills testing (TPST) school). Additional fees apply.
Make sure you bring the following:
If you have already paid, bring the receipt. Remember that payment is good for only 90 days.
If you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, your application will be held for 90 days. After 90 days or three failed exams, a new application and fee will be required.
If you take and pass the driving exam through an approved TPST school, you must present the sealed envelope prepared by the school for the exam to be waived at the driver license office.
You may use your temporary license for 45 days or until you receive your permanent license in the mail. If you do not receive your license in 45 days, contact the customer service center.
It is a free, 1-hour informational video that provides educational information on the dangers of distracted driving. Your ITYD course completion certificate will be valid for 90 days. If you don’t pass your driving skills exam within these 90 days, you’ll have to take the course again.
Check how to select documentation in What It Takes to Apply for a DL or ID Card Brochure.
What if I fail exams? if you do not pass either your knowledge test or driving test on your first attempt, your application will be held for 90 days. After 90 days or three failures, a new application, fee and ITYD course completion certificate will be required.
The exam is going to test your ability to safely operate a vehicle and obey traffic laws. The test takes about 20 minutes.
You may take a driving exam at a driver license office or through a third party skills testing (TPST) school. You can schedule your driving test online if you have been registered in the Applus system by a driver license office employee. Otherwise, ask for assistance at a driver license office.
Driving tests are available in Spanish in some driver license offices. If you don't speak English, you may bring someone to translate, but the translator may only help you communicate with the customer service representative ( CSR) before and after the driving test is given. The CSR will use hand signals and other non-verbal cues during the driving test for applicants who do not speak English. These non-verbal cues can be explained with the help of the translator before the test.
Show that you:
During the driving exam, you will not be asked to do anything illegal. You must follow all the instructions given by the customer service representative (CSR). Do not carry on a conversation during the driving exam.
You will be asked to demonstrate the following maneuvers:
Always:
You fail automatically if you
If you have a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state or U.S. territory, you are not required to take the knowledge or driving skills exams.
You must apply in person at any driver license office. Some offices offer phone or online scheduling. To locate a nearby office, use this map.
Check how to select documentation in What It Takes to Apply for a DL or ID Card Brochure.
Forms DL14A are available at every driver license office, however, you can download it here and complete at home.
You can pay the fee by cash, credit card, check or money order.
You may use your temporary license for 45 days or until you receive your permanent license in the mail. If you do not receive your license in 45 days, contact the customer service center.
Tip! All applicants under 18 must take the driving skills exam even if they hold a valid driver license from another state. Applicants who have a valid learner license from another U.S. state, do not have to take the knowledge exam. Check here how to apply for a provisional license if you are a learner license holder.
If you have a valid driver license from Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan, you won't have to take the knowledge or driving skills exams provided that you surrender your out of country driver license. However, if you don't want to surrender your current license, you must pass all required exams. Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish will need to have a translation service.
New residents from other countries must pass the knowledge and driving skills exam. See the complete guide how to apply for your Texas driver license.
Tip! All applicants under 18 must take the driving skills exam even if they hold a valid driver license from another country. Applicants who have a valid learner license from Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan, do not have to take the knowledge exam. Check here how to apply for a provisional license if you are a learner license holder.
