GDL Stages Overview
Under the GDL program, a teen moves through these license stages.
| Stage | Age | Driving Privilege | Main Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Learner License | 15–17 | Supervised driving only | Hold for at least 6 months |
| Phase 2: Provisional License | 16–17 | Independent driving with restrictions | Complete driver education and practice hours; pass the road test |
| Full Driver License | 18+ | Standard driving privileges | GDL restrictions end at 18 |
What Is the Texas GDL Program?
Administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in partnership with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the GDL program enforces special rules for drivers between 15 and 17 years of age. Rather than granting full driving privileges at once, the program divides learning into two distinct stages: the Learner License (learner’s permit) and Provisional License, with restrictions that gradually lift as the driver gains real-world experience and reaches age thresholds.
GDL Program History and Safety Impact
Texas enacted its modern graduated driver licensing framework through Senate Bill 577, effective January 1, 2002. The law was designed to address the notably high crash risk for inexperienced teen drivers, particularly at night and when driving with peer passengers. The legislature strengthened the program in 2009 through House Bill 339, which extended the nighttime and passenger restriction period from six months to 12 months and prohibited drivers under 18 from using wireless communication devices.
These GDL restrictions focus on the period when young drivers are most vulnerable. The NHTSA reports that teen drivers have their highest crash rates during the first six months of unsupervised driving, and AAA Foundation research has found that teens are 50% more likely to crash during their first month of independent driving than after one year. That elevated risk is also visible in Texas, and in 2024, drivers ages 15–20 made up about 9% of the population but were involved in 19% of all motor vehicle crashes in the state.
Research shows that by limiting exposure to the most dangerous driving situations, graduated licensing systems help reduce a teen’s crash risk. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study found that states with stronger GDL laws had fatal crash rates about 30% lower among minor drivers, including a 41% reduction among 16-year-old drivers, compared with states with weaker programs. (5) As a result, Texas aims to protect the youngest drivers while they build the skills needed to make safer decisions behind the wheel.
GDL Phase 1: How to Get a Learner License
For a Phase 1 Learner License, a teen must meet specific age and eligibility benchmarks, be actively enrolled in school, and complete an in-person application process at a DPS driver license office.
The GDL process begins with driver education. Texas allows teens to enroll and complete the academic portion of driver’s ed at 14 years old, although they must be at least 15 to receive a learner’s permit and get behind the wheel.
Teen Driver Education
Every Texas driver under 18 must complete 24 classroom hours of driver’s ed, 14 hours of in-car instruction, and 30 additional hours of supervised practice. A teen’s classroom instruction can be delivered via two scheduling methods. Under the concurrent method, a student completes the first six classroom hours, takes the written test, and applies for a learner’s permit before finishing the remaining 18 academic hours alongside behind-the-wheel practice. Under the block method, a student completes all 24 classroom hours before applying for a permit. The concurrent method is good for teens who want to start in-car training quickly, while the block method is good for teens who want to take driving lessons with a professional.
Teens can also choose between instruction formats: a traditional in-person classroom at a driving school, an Instructor-Led Online Course, or an online Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education (PTDE) course, which allows a qualified parent to act as the instructor for behind-the-wheel training. Families who choose the parent-taught driving course must request the official PTDE Program Guide from the TDLR site before starting driver education.
Students who want to learn and take the permit test in Spanish can choose an online course that fits this need, including the Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education Course - Spanish or Texas Teen Instructor-Led Course - Spanish.
Passing the Written Knowledge Test
To get a Texas driving permit, all applicants must pass the written knowledge exam, which consists of 30 multiple-choice questions on traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving principles. A score of 70% (21 correct answers) or higher is required to pass. TDLR-approved driver education courses, like those offered by NextDoorDriving.com, include an official written exam, allowing students to skip taking the test at the DPS office.
Verification of School Enrollment
Texas links teen driving privileges to school participation as part of the GDL program. Students prove that they are enrolled and attending school by submitting a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form, unless they have already earned a diploma or GED. The VOE form is obtained through the school office and signed by a school official, and it must show at least 90% attendance during the previous semester. The VOE form is valid for 30 days when signed during the school year and 90 days during summer months.
Learner License Application Process
To apply for a teen learner’s permit, schedule a DPS appointment and bring:
- A parent or guardian to sign the application
- Completed, unsigned driver license application (Form DL-14B)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence
- Two documents proving Texas residency
- Proof of Social Security Number
- VOE form, when required
- Driver education certificate (DE-964)
- For parent-taught students:
- PTDE Program Guide receipt
- Classroom Instruction – Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90A)
At the DPS office, the teen will take a vision test, provide thumbprints and a photo, and pay the $16 Learner License fee. The agent then issues a temporary paper learner’s permit that is valid for 60 days, while the plastic license card should arrive by mail within two to three weeks.
Texas Learner License Rules
A learner’s permit allows a teenager to begin building behind-the-wheel skills, but strict rules apply. The central rule is that the permit holder must never drive alone. A licensed adult age 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience must be in the front passenger seat at all times. Additionally, Texas enforces a zero-tolerance policy for electronic devices: learner permit holders cannot use any wireless communication device while driving, including hands-free Bluetooth systems, mobile phones, or texting devices, except in genuine emergencies. No specific passenger limits apply, but everyone in the vehicle must have a seat belt and wear it. There is also no night curfew rule, since a student driver is expected to practice at night.
Behind-the-Wheel Training and Logging Hours
Transitioning from a learner’s permit to a provisional license involves a rigorous driving schedule that starts with formal instruction and moves to supervised practice. Teens must complete 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training delivered by a certified driving instructor or approved parent-trainer. This training is divided equally into 7 hours of in-car observation and 7 hours of hands-on driving, and these hours must be recorded on an official 14-Hour Training Log form.
After the initial 14 hours of driving lessons, teens must complete at least 30 hours of practice while supervised by a licensed adult 21 or older. Crucially, at least 10 of these hours must take place at night. The hours must be recorded on an official 30-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Driving Log.
GDL Phase 2: How to Get a Provisional License
GDL Phase 2 marks the transition to independent driving, and it begins with applying for a Provisional Driver License.
Provisional License Eligibility
To apply for a provisional license, an applicant must be at least 16 years old and must have held a valid Texas learner’s permit for a minimum of six consecutive months. If a learner’s permit is suspended, the six-month clock pauses and resumes only after the license is reinstated. To be eligible for the road test, a teen needs to have a certificate of driver’s ed course completion as well as a certificate for the state’s distracted-driving awareness course.
The Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Course
All minors must complete the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) program before taking the road test. The ITTD course is a free, 2-hour online video that educates young people on the dangers of distracted driving and illegal mobile device use. The ITTD video is separate from driver education and can be accessed on the DPS Impact Texas Teen Drivers website. Finishing the ITTD video generates a certificate, which the student should print and bring to the road test.
Timing is critical when it comes to the ITTD program, since it must be viewed after completing all driver education hours. The ITTD certificate is valid for only 90 days, so if a student does not pass the road test within that window, they will need to watch the ITTD video again to get a fresh certificate.
Taking the Road Skills Test
The final hurdle for the provisional license is the road skills test. Applicants can choose to take the road test at a DPS office or through an approved Third-Party Skills Testing (TPST) provider. Anyone who tests at the DPS will need to bring a roadworthy vehicle with current auto insurance and registration, while driving schools typically use their own testing vehicles, usually for a fee. A DPS license application fee includes three road test attempts in 90 days, while a driving school may have different rules for fees and re-takes. After passing the road test, a teen can finalize the provisional license application with the DPS.
Final DPS Appointment
To take the road test at the DPS or finalize a license upgrade, book another appointment using the online Texas Scheduler portal.
When upgrading to a provisional license, bring:
- Valid learner’s permit card
- Completed driver license application (Form DL-14B)
- Driver education completion certificate (DE-964)
- Completed and signed 30-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Driving Log
- Valid ITTD certificate
- Current VOE form or equivalent, when required
- Road test results, if taken at a commercial school (may be sent electronically)
- For parent-taught driving students:
- Signed Behind-the-Wheel Instruction – Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90B)
After a successful application and paying a $16 license fee, the teen will receive a temporary paper Provisional Driver License that is valid for 60 days. The license hard card will arrive by mail within a few weeks.
Texas Provisional License Rules
While a Phase 2 Provisional License grants the freedom to drive alone, minor drivers must follow strict rules until they turn 18. These provisional license restrictions include:
- No driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m., except for work, school activities, or emergencies.
- No more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
- No cell phone use, including texting and hands-free communication while driving.
Violating provisional license rules is a misdemeanor offense carrying fines from $25 to $99 per violation.
Transitioning to an Adult Driver License
On a driver’s 18th birthday, all GDL restrictions automatically expire and the driver becomes a fully unrestricted adult operator. New adults are not required to visit a DPS office simply to remove minor license restrictions, as law enforcement databases update the driver’s legal status automatically. However, drivers can choose to get a new card to remove the “Provisional” designation by requesting a duplicate license online through the Texas by Texas (TxT) portal or at a DPS office for an $11 fee.
Special Situations in the GDL Program
Not every teen enters the GDL system the same way. Two common exceptions involve teens who qualify for a hardship license and those who move to Texas with an out-of-state permit or license. In these cases, the DPS may modify the licensing path while still ensuring driver education, testing, and safety standards.
Minor Restricted Driver License (Hardship License)
In rare circumstances, a 15-year-old who faces severe family economic struggles, family illness or disability, or attends a specialized vocational educational program may apply for a Minor Restricted Driver License (MRDL), commonly called a “hardship” license. Hardship licensees do not skip essential licensing steps, so applicants must complete all 24 driver’s ed classroom hours and pass the written and road test. If approved by the DPS, hardship license holders may drive independently for limited purposes, bypassing the six-month permit holding period. Hardship licensees remain subject to provisional license restrictions.
Transferring an Out-of-State Teen Permit or License to Texas
Minors moving to Texas who hold an out-of-state permit or provisional license must transfer it to an equivalent Texas license. Out-of-state permit holders must complete a Texas Teen Driver Education course, since external driver’s ed hours that did not result in a full license do not transfer. All minor drivers are subject to GDL program rules, even if they came from a state that issues full driving privileges before age 18.
Recommendations for Teens for Licensing Success
Plan ahead so each GDL step goes smoothly. Choose your driver education method early and stay consistent with your coursework. Schedule your DPS appointments well in advance, since spots can fill quickly. Before each DPS appointment, check that time-sensitive documents such as your VOE form and ITTD certificate are still valid and gather all required identity, residency, and driver education documents. Request official records early if needed—for example, DPS requires an acceptable birth certificate rather than a hospital souvenir certificate. A little preparation can help prevent avoidable delays between licensing stages.
