Texas Driving Test: Quick Summary
Here are the basics you should know for the Texas DPS driving test:
- Duration: ~20 minutes
- Passing score: 70 points, with no major errors
- Mandatory prep: Complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) video course within 90 days prior to testing.
- Age minimum: 16 years old
- Scheduling: DPS Appointment Scheduler
DPS Driving Test Overview
Texas driver license testing is regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 521. The road driving test is an in-car evaluation conducted on public roads that measures practical vehicle control, knowledge of traffic laws, and safe driving habits. Texas driving tests are administered by DPS examiners or certified instructors at authorized Third Party Skills Testing (TPST) locations.
Note that the DPS road driving test is different from the Texas written (driving) test. The written test measures your knowledge of traffic laws and road signs, while the Texas road test covered in this guide evaluates the ability to operate a vehicle. You must pass the written test to apply for a learner’s permit, and pass the road driving test to get your driver’s license.
Who Needs to Take the Texas Driving Test for a License?
The main Texas drivers license tests must be complete before a license can be issued, whether this is the written test for a learner’s permit or the driving test for a full driver’s license. All first-time drivers must pass the road test, and some previously-licensed drivers will need to, depending on their situation. If you fall into any of the following categories, you will need to pass the road driving test to get a Texas license:
- Teens ages 16–17 upgrading from a learner’s permit to a provisional license
- Adult license applicants who have never held a U.S. driver license
- Drivers whose previous license has been expired for over two years
- International drivers surrendering a license from a country without a formal Texas reciprocity agreement
- Individuals required to re-test by the DPS or a court order for a driver safety review or specific restriction removals
Passing the Texas driving test demonstrates that you know state traffic laws and can safely apply them on real Texas roads.
Who Is Exempt from the Road Test?
Certain drivers can skip the Texas drivers license tests when applying for a license. They include:
- Drivers surrendering a valid, unexpired license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province
- Drivers transferring an out-of-state or Texas license that has been expired for less than two years
- Adults surrendering a valid, unexpired license from a country with a Texas reciprocity agreement, including France, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, or the United Arab Emirates
- Active-duty U.S. military members or recently discharged veterans meeting specific state license extension qualifications
New Texas Residents
New Texas residents surrendering a valid out-of-state license are generally exempt from both the written test and road driving test, but they still must satisfy the state’s documentation, residency, application, and vision requirements in order to receive a Texas driver license and drive legally within the state.
Road Test Eligibility
Before scheduling a Texas DPS driving test, license applicants must meet age-specific education and training requirements. Key benchmarks include:
- Teens (16–17): Must be at least 16, hold a learner’s permit for 6 full months, and complete a Texas teen driver education course, behind-the-wheel training, and supervised practice hours.
- Young adults (18–24): Must complete an approved 6-hour Texas adult driver education course and hold a B-restricted driver license (adults can apply for this permit the same day as the road test).
- Adults (25+): Driver education is recommended but optional; must pass the Texas written test and hold a B-restricted license.
Texas teens and adults are able to complete the required classroom hours and take the Texas written driving test online through approved driver education providers. If you need a driver’s ed program, NextDoorDriving.com offers TDLR-approved online driver education courses for teens and adults. Your course includes an official Texas permit test so you can skip the written exam at the DPS. Courses are also available in Spanish, so you can study and take your permit test in your preferred language.
Mandatory Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Requirement
Everyone who takes the Texas road driving test must first complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) video course. Importantly, the ITD course must be done after finishing driver education and before taking the road test. The ITD program is mandatory, free, and available on the Impact Texas Drivers website. There are separate videos for teens and adults, so choose the correct one for your age:
- Ages 15–17: Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) video (2 hours).
- Ages 18+: Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) video (1 hour).
Important: Finishing the ITD video generates a completion certificate that you must print out and bring to your Texas driving test. The ITTD/ITAD certificate is valid for exactly 90 days. If it expires before your road test, you must watch the ITD video again for a new certificate.
Taking the Driving Test at the DPS vs. Commercial Schools
You can choose to take your Texas driving test at a state DPS office or through an authorized private driving school. The Texas road test format and scoring is the same no matter where you take it, but the cost, scheduling availability, and whether you need to provide a test vehicle can differ by location.
| Feature | Texas DPS Office | Third-Party Provider (TPST) |
|---|---|---|
| Testing Fee | Included in license fee ($16 minor or $33 adult) | $50 – $125 |
| Wait Time | Weeks to months | Often same week |
| Retakes | Up to 3 attempts in 90 days | Varies by provider |
| Vehicle Provided? | No (must bring your own) | Usually yes, for a fee |
How to Schedule Your Texas Driving Test
To schedule your Texas road driving test appointment:
- Access the official online Texas Scheduler portal, select “Class C Road Test” as your service type, and search by location to find an opening. Save your appointment confirmation number.
- Alternatively, contact a certified local driving school directly to book a private road test appointment.
What to Bring on Driving Test Day: Essential Checklist
Every driver must apply for their Texas license in person at a DPS office to complete identity verification, vision testing, and receive an unique driver license or permit number. If you are taking the road test at the DPS, you can complete the driving test and application processing in one appointment. If you take the driving test at a commercial school, you must bring your test results to the DPS to finalize your license application.
For your DPS license appointment, have all of these items in order:
- License application (Form DL-14A for adults; DL-14 B for minors under 17 years and 10 months)
- Valid Texas Learner License or B-restricted license
- Printed Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) certificate, dated within 90 days
- Driver education completion certificate (Form DE-964 for teens; Form ADE-1317 for adults)
- Proof of current Texas vehicle registration and insurance for the test vehicle
- If under 18, bring:
- Signed 30-Hour Practice Log
- Current VOE form (valid for 30 days during the school year or 90 days in summer)
- A parent or guardian to sign consent forms
- For PTDE students:
- Signed Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Affidavit (Form DL-90B)
DPS document standards: The DPS only accepts original, physical copies of your identity and training documents. Digital files or screenshots will be rejected. If you’re missing a key document or bring an uncertified photocopy, your appointment will be cancelled and your license application placed on hold.
Vehicle Inspection Requirements: Will Your Car Pass?
Before your driving test can begin, Texas expects the examiner to inspect your test car to ensure it is legally compliant and safe to operate. If your vehicle fails the inspection, the driving test is immediately canceled.
Your road test vehicle should have:
- Two valid metal license plates (front and rear)
- Working turn signals, brake lights, headlights, and taillights
- Functional horn, speedometer, wipers, and seatbelts
- Doors that open from inside and outside
- Clear windshield without dangerous cracks
- Valid registration sticker and insurance
What Happens During the Texas Road Test?
The Texas drivers test takes approximately 20 minutes. During the exam, the examiner will guide you through a series of basic maneuvers, including parallel parking and straight-line backing, before moving to the road and real traffic conditions. Throughout the drive, the examiner will evaluate your overall vehicle control, traffic law compliance, intersection scanning, lane changes, smooth stopping, and proper signaling.
Before your Texas driving test, review the DPS How to Prepare for a Drive Test checklist.
How the Test Is Scored: Passing Score and Automatic Fails
On the Texas road test, you are graded using a point-deduction system. To pass, you cannot lose more than 30 points on the on-street test, including more than 5 points on the backing test or 7 points on parallel parking. The examiner subtracts points for mistakes like improper mirror checks, wide turns, or late signaling, with an emphasis on consistent good judgment. Committing a critical safety violation—such as running a Stop sign, striking a curb, nearly causing a collision, or forcing the examiner to intervene—results in an immediate automatic failure regardless of your remaining points.
What to Do After Passing Your Driving Test
Immediately following your driving test, the examiner will review your score sheet (Form DL-20) with you, outlining your performance and highlighting any areas for improvement. If you are tested at a DPS office, you will complete your license processing on-site. If you tested through a third-party provider, you will receive your official test results in a sealed envelope to take to a DPS office, or your provider will submit them electronically so you can complete the process online via the Texas by Texas TxT site, if eligible.
Once your license application is finalized, the DPS will issue a temporary paper driver license valid for 60 days. You can use this document to drive legally while your official hard plastic driver license card is processed and mailed to your address, typically arriving within two to three weeks.
