What you need to do to get an adult learner's permit in Texas
An adult learner's permit in Texas is called a Learner License, and it lets you practice driving with a licensed adult in the car. You do not need a learner's permit first — you can go straight to a full driver's license if you pass the tests. But if you want to practice before taking the license exam, a Learner License is the faster route than waiting for a license appointment.
To get one, you visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person, pass a written test on traffic laws, and pay a fee. You cannot get a Learner License online or by mail. The whole process takes one office visit, though you will need to bring specific documents with you.
The main difference between an adult Learner License and a minor's learner permit is that adults have fewer driving restrictions — you can drive alone after 5 p.m., and you do not have to follow passenger limits. But you still cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you still need a licensed adult in the car during daylight hours.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS office in person with proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and your Social Security number to get a Learner License.
- The written test covers Texas traffic laws and road signs; you need a passing score of 70 percent or higher.
- A Learner License costs $16 and is valid for two years from the date you receive it.
- Adults with a Learner License can drive alone after 5 p.m. but must have a licensed adult in the car during the day and cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- You can skip the Learner License entirely and go straight to a full driver's license exam if you prefer not to practice first.
Documents you must bring to the DPS office
Texas requires you to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number (or a letter from Social Security if you do not have a number). You do not need to bring originals of everything — copies are fine for some documents — but the DPS office staff will tell you which ones they need to see in person.
For proof of identity, bring a U.S. passport, a military ID, a certified birth certificate, or a foreign passport with a visa. A school ID or work ID alone will not work. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a combination of documents like a Social Security card plus a utility bill, but the DPS website lists the exact combinations that work.
For proof of residency, bring a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government document with your current Texas address on it. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of residency, even if it shows a Texas address.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will also need to bring proof of legal presence in Texas — usually a valid visa, a green card, or an employment authorization document. Visit the DPS website or call your local DPS office before you go, because the rules for non-citizens are more detailed and vary by immigration status.
The written test and what it covers
The written test has 30 multiple-choice questions about Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You have 30 minutes to finish it. You need a score of 70 percent or higher to pass, which means you can miss up to 9 questions.
The test covers things like speed limits, right-of-way rules, what different road signs mean, how to handle intersections, parking rules, and what to do in bad weather. It also includes questions about seat belts, distracted driving, and how alcohol affects driving. The DPS publishes a free study guide called the Texas Driver Handbook on its website, and most of the test questions come straight from it.
You take the test on a computer at the DPS office. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day — there is no waiting period between attempts. Each retake costs the same $16 fee as the first test.
How long a Learner License lasts and when to renew
A Learner License is valid for two years from the date you receive it. You do not renew it — when it expires, you either take the full driver's license exam or let it lapse. Many people use the two years to practice and build confidence, then take the license test before the Learner License expires.
If your Learner License expires and you have not taken the driver's license test yet, you have to start over: get a new Learner License, pass the written test again, and pay the fee again. There is no grace period or extension.
Driving restrictions while you have a Learner License
As an adult with a Learner License, you can drive alone after 5 p.m., but you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. During the day (5 a.m. to 5 p.m.), you must have a licensed adult in the car with you. The adult must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license.
You do not have passenger limits like minors do — you can have as many people in the car as you want, as long as the required adult is present. You also do not have to follow the texting ban that applies to minors, though texting while driving is illegal for everyone in Texas.
You must display a red "L" decal on your vehicle so other drivers know you are a learner. The DPS gives you this decal when you get your Learner License. If you lose it, you can get a replacement at any DPS office.
The cost and how to pay
A Learner License costs $16 in Texas. You pay this fee at the DPS office when you take the written test. If you fail the test and retake it, you pay the $16 fee again for each attempt.
The DPS accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Some offices may have limits on which payment methods they take, so call ahead if you want to be sure. The fee covers the two-year Learner License itself and the written test.
Where to go and how to schedule your visit
You can visit any Texas DPS office to get a Learner License. There is no need to go to the office in your county — you can go to whichever one is most convenient. DPS offices are open Monday through Friday, and some are open on Saturday mornings.
You do not need an appointment for a Learner License test in most offices, but wait times vary. Some offices have short lines in the morning, while others have long waits all day. Call your local DPS office before you go, or check the DPS website for current wait times at offices near you.
If you cannot visit an office in person, you cannot get a Learner License — there is no online or mail-in option. However, if you are over 18 and do not want to practice with a learner permit, you can go straight to the full driver's license exam, which also requires an in-person visit to a DPS office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Learner License if I already have a driver's license from another state?
No. If you hold a valid driver's license from any state or country, you cannot get a Texas Learner License. You can only get a Learner License if you have never held a driver's license, or if your previous license has expired or been suspended. If you have an out-of-state license, you can transfer it to a Texas license instead.
What happens if I fail the written test?
You can retake the test the same day or come back another day. There is no waiting period. Each attempt costs $16. You have as many tries as you need, but most people pass on the first or second attempt if they study the Texas Driver Handbook.
Do I need a Learner License before I can take the driver's license test?
No. You can skip the Learner License and go straight to the full driver's license exam if you want. The license exam includes both a written test and a driving test. Many adults choose to do this instead of getting a Learner License first.
Can someone else pick up my Learner License for me if I cannot go to the DPS office?
No. You must be present in person to take the written test and receive your Learner License. The DPS will not issue one without you there to pass the test yourself.
What if I move to a different Texas county while I have a Learner License?
Your Learner License is valid statewide, so you do not need to do anything. You can keep using it in your new county. You only need to update your address if you want to, and you can do that at any DPS office.