State Driving Guide

Texas

Official permit & driving info · Last reviewed 2024-04-01

Official DMV Driver Handbook

Free Practice

Practice for your Texas permit test with confidence.

Use DriveReadyAI's premium-certified state practice to learn road signs, real driving rules, defensive driving decisions, and weak spots before test day.

Start Free — No Credit Card Try a Sample Quiz
2,000+ DMV practice questions across certified state banks  ·  Premium-certified for NY, NJ, FL, CA & TX.
What you'll practice
✓ Texas DPS practice
✓ Road signs
✓ Defensive driving
✓ Confidence coaching
🎂
15
Permit Age
⏱️
30
Practice Hours
🌙
10
Night Hours
📋
3
License Stages
📝
Getting Your Permit

Texas teens can apply for a learner license at age 15. Before applying, teens under 18 must complete Phase 1 of an approved driver education course. A parent or guardian must sign the application. The learner license allows supervised driving practice before the behind-the-wheel skills test.

Required Documents
  • ✓
    Proof of identity (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or other Texas DPS-approved document)
    Source: Texas DPS
  • ✓
    Proof of Texas residency
    Source: Texas DPS
  • ✓
    Social Security Number
    Source: Texas DPS
  • ✓
    Parent or guardian signature (applicants under 18)
    Source: Texas DPS
  • ✓
    Certificate of completion of Phase 1 driver education (teens under 18)
    Source: Texas DPS
📊
Graduated License Stages
Learner License
Age 15+

Requirements: Complete Phase 1 of an approved driver education course. Pass vision and written knowledge test. Parent or guardian must sign application.

Restrictions: Must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 21+ seated beside you at all times. Cannot drive between midnight and 5 AM.

Source: Texas DPS — Graduated Driver License
Provisional License
Age 16+

Requirements: Must hold a learner license for at least 6 months. Must complete driver education (Phase 1 and Phase 2, including in-car instruction). Must log at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice (10 hours at night). Must pass the behind-the-wheel skills test.

Restrictions: Cannot drive between midnight and 5 AM. For the first 12 months, cannot transport more than 1 passenger under 21 who is not a family member.

Source: Texas DPS
Full (Unrestricted) License
Age 18+

Requirements: All GDL restrictions are automatically lifted at age 18.

Restrictions: No GDL restrictions.

Source: Texas DPS
🚗
Required Practice Hours
30
Total Hours
10
Night Hours

Texas requires at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice (10 hours at night) logged in addition to completing the driver education in-car instruction hours. A parent or guardian must certify the practice hours.

Source: Texas DPS
⚖️
Texas-Specific Laws
Hands-Free / Texting Ban

Texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers in Texas. Drivers under 18 may not use a wireless communication device while driving — including hands-free. In school zones, all drivers are prohibited from using a handheld device.

Texas Transportation Code §545.4251 · Reviewed 2024-04-01
Move Over Law

Texas drivers must vacate the lane closest to a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or TxDOT vehicle with lights flashing. If a lane change is not safely possible, drivers must slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit (or 5 mph if the limit is 25 mph or less).

Texas Transportation Code §545.157 · Reviewed 2024-04-01
Seat Belt Law

All front seat occupants must wear a seat belt. All passengers under 15 must be buckled regardless of seating position. Children under 8 must be secured in an appropriate child safety seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches.

Texas Transportation Code §545.413 · Reviewed 2024-04-01
Speed Limits

General speed limits: 70 mph on most highways, 75 or 80 mph on certain designated highways, 30 mph in urban districts, 20 mph in school zones when children are present. The basic speed rule requires driving at a speed that is safe and reasonable for current conditions.

Texas Transportation Code §545.351 and §545.352 · Reviewed 2024-04-01
Right Turn on Red

Right turn on red is permitted in Texas after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to cross-traffic before turning.

Texas Transportation Code §544.007 · Reviewed 2024-04-01
Open Container Law

It is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public highway in Texas, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or stopped.

Texas Penal Code §49.031 · Reviewed 2024-04-01
🎯
Road Test Tips for Texas
  • Come to a complete stop at all stop signs and before the stop bar at red lights — rolling stops are a common failure.
  • Use your turn signal every time you turn or change lanes — signal before you brake or move.
  • Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder into your blind spot before every lane change.
  • Keep a safe following distance — at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
  • Obey posted speed limits and adjust your speed for road and weather conditions.
  • Know how to parallel park and how to perform a three-point turn (Y-turn).
  • Practice in the area where you will take your test so you know the roads.
  • Bring your learner license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration to your skills test appointment.
🎓
Pass your Texas permit test

Free practice questions calibrated to Texas's DMV exam.

Start Free → Try a Sample Quiz
Start Free — No Credit Card Try a Quiz
Source transparency: All rules on this page are sourced directly from official government publications. Laws may change — always verify with the Texas DMV before your test. Last reviewed: 2024-04-01.