Texas Adult Driver’s License at a Glance
Before diving into the details, here are the four basic steps for a license:
- Complete adult driver’s ed (required for ages 18–24): If you are between 18 and 24, you must complete an approved 6-hour adult driver education course (usually done online). If you are 25 or older, this course is optional but highly recommended.
- Watch the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) video: Before you can take a road test, all adult applicants must watch a free, 1-hour distracted driving video provided by the DPS. You will receive a certificate that is valid for 90 days and required to start the road test.
- Book a DPS appointment and gather your documents: Book an appointment online through the DPS scheduling portal. Grab your original paperwork: proof of identity (like a passport or birth certificate), your Social Security card, two printed proofs of Texas residency, and your driver’s ed and ITAD certificates.
- Pass your DPS tests: At the DPS office, pass a vision test and submit your physical forms. If you passed the written test within a driver’s ed course, you do not need to take it again. If you have not taken the written test, you will take it at the DPS. Finally, you will take your road driving test. If you pass, you will receive your license.
How to Get a Texas Driver’s License at 18
Follow these steps to successfully navigate the adult Texas driver’s license application process.
Complete Adult Driver Education (18–24)
If you are between 18 and 24 and applying for your first Texas driver’s license, you must complete a state-approved, 6-hour adult driver education course. Adults 25 and older are not required to take driver’s ed, although the DPS strongly recommends it for all new drivers. Most adults choose online driver’s ed for convenience.
To satisfy your driver education requirement:
- Enroll in the NextDoorDriving Texas Adult Driver Education Course. The program is 100% online and can be completed in a single day or at your own pace.
- Pass the official written knowledge test at the end of the course. Unlike the DPS office, your NextDoorDriving course offers unlimited free attempts.
- After finishing the course, we immediately email your driver education certificate (Form ADE-1317). Print your certificate, and present it at the DPS office to waive their written test.
Need driver education? NextDoorDriving offers convenient, state-certified online adult driver education courses in English and Spanish. Our course includes electronic certificate delivery and an official written test with unlimited free retakes, so you can skip the testing line at the DPS.
Watch the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) Video
Every adult who takes a road test is required to complete the Impact Texas Adults Drivers (ITAD) program first. The ITAD course is a free, 1-hour video produced by the DPS on the subject of distracted driving. If you are 18–24, you must watch the ITAD video after completing your 6-hour driver education. Your course dates will be checked by the DPS.
You can register for and watch the ITAD video via the official Impact Texas Portal and print a certificate from your dashboard after you are done.
Key points to note about the ITAD course:
- The DPS Impact portal is not compatible with mobile devices, so use a desktop or laptop to watch the video.
- You must bring a printed copy of your ITAD certificate to your driving test.
- The ITAD certificate is valid for 90 days. If you do not pass your road test by then, you must watch the video again and get a new certificate.
Book Your DPS Appointment
The DPS does not accept walk-ins and appointment slots can go quickly. All appointments are booked using the online Texas Appointment Scheduler portal. When choosing your service, select “Apply for an Original Driver License” and follow the directions. Remember to click “Confirm” to secure your appointment!
Pro Tip: If the DPS system is booked out, check the online scheduler between 7:00–7:30 AM in the morning, or refresh the portal throughout the day, to check for cancellations or same-day releases. You can also try widening your search radius, as smaller offices can have shorter wait times. If all else fails, you can walk into a DPS office and check the lobby kiosk to book any new openings. These tricks can help you avoid a months-long wait.
Get an Adult Learner Permit (optional)
You cannot legally practice driving on Texas roads without an adult learner’s permit and a licensed adult (21+) next to you in the front seat. To get this adult permit, pass the written test and bring your application paperwork and identity documents to the DPS and request a “B-Restricted License.” Unlike minors, adults are not required to hold a learner’s permit for six months before taking a road test.
If you already know how to drive (perhaps you practiced on private property or are an out-of-state driver whose previous license expired), you may opt to get the permit on the same day as your road test. To do this, book a single DPS appointment for a “First Time License with Road Test,” or book your road test with a certified third-party testing center. You will still need to pass the written test before the road test.
Take the Written Knowledge Test
The Texas written knowledge test measures your understanding of traffic laws, legal penalties, and road signs. If you complete an approved online adult driver’s education course, this exam is built directly into your program. If you do not take driver’s ed, you will take the written test on a terminal at the DPS office. If you test in person at the DPS, the rules for attempts are more strict, while online programs generally allow unlimited retakes.
Key points to know about the Texas written test:
- The test consists of 30 multiple-choice questions split into two 15-question sections (road signs and traffic laws). You must answer at least 21 questions correctly (a 70% score) to pass.
- Texas grants you 3 total attempts if you test at the DPS.
- If you fail the exam 3 times, your application is officially closed. You must start a new application.
Gather Your License Documents
Before heading to a license appointment, note the DPS paper copies rule. You must provide physical, original copies of your identity documents and training certificates. The DPS does not accept digital versions or screenshots.
Bring original copies of each of the following:
- Completed license application (Form DL-14A)
- Proof of Identity (e.g., U.S. Passport or birth certificate)
- Social Security card
- Two documents proving Texas residency (e.g., utility bill or bank statement)
- Your printed ITAD and Driver Education completion certificates
Identity proofs list: For a current list of acceptable identification documents, see the DPS Identification Requirements page.
Complete Your License Application
You should complete the adult driver license application (Form DL-14A).
- If you are a U.S. citizen and would like to register to vote, checking “Yes” to this question triggers an automatic voter registration packet.
- You must disclose medical conditions that could interfere with driving safety, to include blackouts, seizures, cardiac episodes, or insulin-dependent diabetes within the past two years.
- By federal and state law, males aged 18–25 consent to registration with the United States Selective Service System upon signing a license application.
Pass In-Office Processing and the Vision Test
Arrive 15 minutes early for your DPS office appointment. The agent will check your documents, take your photo, scan your thumbprints, and collect the $33 license fee.
You will then take a basic vision test by reading lines of letters on a chart. If you have glasses or contact lenses, you should wear them for the vision screening. If you do not meet the minimum standard, your application will be paused and you will be asked to have additional testing with an eye specialist.
Pass the Behind-the-Wheel Road Test
The final road test measures how well you drive. For around 20 minutes, an examiner will evaluate your essential driving skills, knowledge of traffic laws, and safe driving practices.
You may schedule the road test with the DPS or a certified Third-Party Skills Testing (TPST) provider. At the DPS, you must provide a vehicle that is safe, registered, and insured. A third-party testing center will usually provide a vehicle for a fee.
After you pass the road test, you will be given a temporary paper license. Your license hard card will arrive by mail in 2–3 weeks. Congrats! You are officially a licensed Texas driver.
Getting a Texas Driver’s License Over 25
The Texas licensing process is more straightforward for new drivers over 25. If you 25 or older, key rules to remember are:
- Texas does not require you to take driver education, but it is encouraged.
- You are not required to hold a learner’s permit for a set amount of time.
- You do not have to log a set number of supervised driving practice hours.
- You must watch the 1-hour ITAD video before you can take your road test.
- You must pass the written test and road test.
Aside from these differences in training requirements, the license application process will be the same.
Why choose driver’s ed? Many new drivers over the age of 25 choose to complete a driver education course to take the written test online, learn traffic laws, and feel more confident before the road test. Our adult driver’s ed can be done in only 6 hours and includes an official DPS written test, so you can skip this step at the office.
Common License Application Mistakes
Minor errors often lead to applications being rejected at the DPS counter. Avoid these common pitfalls to make sure you walk out with your license.
| The Pitfall | Why It Happens | The Fix |
| Expired ITAD | The ITAD certificate is valid for 90 days. | Pass your road test within 90 days of completing the ITAD course. |
| Digital Documents | DPS will not accept screenshots, emails, or digital PDFs shown on your smartphone. | Print physical, hard copies of every document before your appointment. |
| Doubling Up on Residency Proof | Bringing two items from the same source (e.g., a checking and savings statement from the same bank). | Bring two entirely separate sources, such as a lease agreement and an electric bill. |
| Skipping Driver’s Ed | Young adults often assume driver’s ed is optional since they are no longer teens. | Complete an adult driver’s ed course if you are 18–24. |
| The Wrong Course | Confusing Defensive Driving courses with driver education. | Defensive Driving is used for ticket dismissal or insurance discounts. Verify you are enrolled in an Adult Driver Education course. |
| Unsafe Testing Vehicle | The vehicle you supply for your road test fails the on-site safety inspection. | Ensure your car has a valid Texas registration sticker, insurance card showing the VIN, and functional equipment. |
Texas Adult Driver License FAQs
What happens if I fail the written or road test?
Your $33 application fee covers three test attempts within 90 days. If you do not pass the tests in the 90-day window, you must start a new application.
If I already have a valid driver license from another U.S. state, do I have to take the DPS tests?
No. If you are an adult surrendering a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state (or one that expired less than two years ago), the DPS waives both the written knowledge test and the road test. You only need to present your identity and residency documents, pass the vision test, and pay the application fee.
What is the difference between an Adult Learner License and a standard license?
An Adult Learner License (B-restricted license) means you cleared your paperwork and the written test, but cannot legally drive alone. You must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat. The full, unrestricted license you earn after passing the road test allows you to drive independently.
My identity documents show different names. Will the DPS reject them?
Yes. If your birth certificate, Social Security card, or out-of-state license show different names because of marriage, divorce, or a legal name change, the DPS will reject your file. You must bring the physical, certified legal documents (like a marriage license or court decree) that explicitly show the name change paper trail.
