What you need to know before your teen applies
In Texas, your teen can get a driver's license at 16 if they hold a learner permit for at least 6 months and meet the other requirements. The process has two main stages: the learner permit (which you may already have), and then the actual driver's license. You cannot skip the permit stage, and you cannot rush the 6-month waiting period — it is a hard requirement, not something you can waive.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) handles all driver's licenses and permits. Your teen will need to pass a written test to get the permit, then pass a driving test to get the license. Between those two tests, they must log supervised driving hours and follow specific rules about who can be in the car with them.
The cost is around $16 for a learner permit and around $30 for a driver's license, though these fees can change. You will also need to bring certain documents to the DPS office — a birth certificate, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Texas residency are the main ones.
Key Takeaways
- Your teen must hold a learner permit for at least 6 months before they can take the driver's license test, and this waiting period cannot be shortened.
- The learner permit requires passing a written test about traffic laws and road signs at a DPS office.
- Once they have the permit, your teen must log at least 30 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours at night.
- The driver's license test includes a written portion and a driving portion, both administered by DPS.
- Teens under 18 face restrictions on who can ride with them and when they can drive, even after getting their license.
The learner permit: what your teen needs to do first
Before your teen can get behind the wheel, they need a learner permit. To get one, they go to a DPS office with you and bring their birth certificate, Social Security card (or a document showing their Social Security number), and proof that they live in Texas. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement with your name and address on it.
At the DPS office, your teen will take a written test covering Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The test is 30 questions, and they need to score at least 21 correct to pass. They can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which DPS provides free online. Many teens also use practice tests on the DPS website or through third-party apps.
If your teen fails the written test, they can retake it the same day or come back another day — there is no waiting period between attempts. Once they pass, they get the learner permit on the spot. The permit is valid for 2 years.
Supervised driving hours and permit restrictions
With a learner permit, your teen can drive only when a licensed adult (at least 21 years old) is in the front seat next to them. They cannot drive alone, and they cannot drive with only other teenagers in the car. The adult must be awake and able to exercise control over the vehicle if needed.
During the 6-month permit period, your teen must log at least 30 hours of supervised driving. Of those 30 hours, at least 10 must be at night (between sunset and sunrise). You can log these hours yourself — there is no official form you submit to DPS. However, you should keep a record in case DPS asks about it later, and some driving schools provide a log sheet.
Your teen also faces time-of-day restrictions while holding the permit. They cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless a parent or guardian is in the car. This rule stays in place even after they get their license, until they turn 18.
Taking the driver's license test after 6 months
Once your teen has held the learner permit for at least 6 months and logged the required driving hours, they can schedule a driving test. You book this through DPS — either online at the DPS website, by phone, or in person at a DPS office. Wait times vary by location, but in busy areas you may need to schedule weeks in advance.
The driving test has two parts. First, your teen takes a written test similar to the one for the permit, though it may cover different material. Then they take a behind-the-wheel test with a DPS examiner. The examiner sits in the passenger seat and watches your teen perform basic driving tasks: starting the car, turning, parking, stopping, and following traffic laws. The test usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
Your teen needs to bring the same documents they brought for the permit, plus their learner permit. If they fail the driving test, they can retake it after waiting at least 7 days. There is no limit to how many times they can retake it.
Restrictions for drivers under 18
Even after your teen gets their driver's license, they face restrictions until they turn 18. These are called Graduated Driver License (GDL) restrictions, and they are set by Texas law.
The main restrictions are: your teen cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless a parent, guardian, or licensed adult over 21 is in the car. They also cannot have more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle unless a parent or guardian is present. The only exceptions are family members and passengers needed for school or work.
These restrictions explore to all drivers under 18, whether they just got their license or have had it for years. They end automatically on your teen's 18th birthday.
Documents you need to bring to DPS
For both the learner permit and the driver's license, bring originals or certified copies of these documents:
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- Social Security card, or a document showing the Social Security number (such as a W-2 or tax return)
- Proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or similar document with your name and address)
- Proof of identity (passport, school ID, or other government-issued ID)
For the driver's license test, also bring the learner permit. If your teen's name has changed since they got the permit, bring a document proving the change (such as a marriage certificate or court order).
DPS offices do not accept photocopies of birth certificates or Social Security cards. If you do not have an original, you can order a certified copy from the Texas Vital Statistics Unit (for birth certificates) or the Social Security Administration (for Social Security cards), though this takes time.
Real ID and what it means for your teen's license
Starting May 7, 2025, a standard Texas driver's license will not be accepted as identification for federal purposes — such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. Your teen will need a Real ID-compliant license instead.
When your teen applies for their driver's license, DPS will ask whether they want a Real ID license or a standard license. A Real ID license costs the same as a standard license but requires one extra document: proof of a Social Security number (the Social Security card itself, or a W-2, tax return, or similar). If you already brought the Social Security card or proof for the permit process, you have this covered.
If your teen gets a standard license now and later needs Real ID, they can upgrade at a DPS office. You do not have to get Real ID right away, but if your teen plans to fly or enter federal buildings, it is simpler to get it when they first explore for the license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my teen get their license before 6 months with the permit?
No. Texas law requires a minimum of 6 months with the learner permit before taking the driver's license test. There is no exception to this rule, even if your teen has logged more than the required driving hours.
What happens if my teen fails the driving test?
They can retake it after waiting at least 7 days. There is no limit to how many times they can retake it. They keep their learner permit and can continue practicing with you between attempts.
Do I have to use a driving school, or can I teach my teen myself?
You can teach your teen yourself. A driving school is optional. However, some insurance companies offer discounts if your teen completes a defensive driving course, so it may be worth considering for that reason.
What if my teen turns 18 before they get their license?
The GDL restrictions (midnight to 5 a.m. curfew and passenger limits) end on their 18th birthday, even if they still have a learner permit. However, they still need to pass the driving test to get a full license.
Can my teen drive for work or school during the midnight to 5 a.m. curfew?
Yes, but only if they are driving directly to or from work or school, and only if a parent or guardian is not available to drive them. They cannot use work or school as a reason to drive around for other purposes during those hours.