Texas Driving Test ‘Don’t Forget’ Checklist
Before walking out the door on road test day, remember your:
- Texas learner’s permit card
- Driver education completion certificate
- Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) certificate
- If you’re under 18, bring:
- VOE form (or diploma/GED)
- Signed 30-Hour Practice Log
- Parent or legal guardian to sign consent forms
DPS Office vs. Third-Party Testing
When booking your driving test in Texas, you can choose to take it directly at the DPS office or through an authorized Third-Party Skills Testing (TPST) private driving school. The document requirements to take the driving test are generally the same at the DPS and commercial schools. When you pass the Texas road test at a driving school, they may electronically submit your results to the DPS, or you may receive a sealed results envelope to bring to the DPS to receive your physical driver license.
Road Test Requirements: What to Bring to Your Driving Test
Driver license specialists and driving test examiners follow strict licensing protocols set by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Your paperwork requirements depend on your age and driver education path. Importantly, every document presented for Texas driver license tests must be an original or certified physical copy. Digital copies, screenshots, or photos on a smartphone are generally not accepted at check-in (with a single exception for auto insurance, which may be in digital form).
Document Requirements
Every candidate taking a Texas road test must present the following core items:
- Valid Texas Learner License or Class C license with a “B” restriction
- Proof of valid insurance and Texas registration for the test vehicle
- Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) certificate, printed and dated within 90 days
Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program Requirement
The Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) program is a mandatory, free online video course created by the Texas DPS to educate new drivers on the dangers of distracted driving. Every driver taking a road test in Texas must watch the ITD video course and bring a printed completion certificate to their driving test.
The ITD program has two course tracks:
- Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD): 2-hour video course for ages 15–17.
- Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD): 1-hour video course for ages 18 and up; adults can also take the longer ITTD course.
Key ITD rules to remember are:
- The ITTD/ITAD completion certificate is valid for 90 days. If you do not pass your driving test within 90 days, you must re-watch the course to generate a new certificate.
- You must complete your main driver education course before registering for the ITD course; the DPS verifies these dates.
- Examiners will not accept digital evidence or screenshots. You must bring a physical paper printout of the completion certificate to your Texas driving test appointment.
Driver’s Education and School Attendance
Education requirements for a Texas driver license test differ by age group, so bring the specific forms for your age category:
- Teens (Ages 16–17):
- Driver Education Completion Certificate (Form DE-964) from an approved Texas Teen Driver Education course
- Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form
- Signed 30-Hour Practice Log
- Parent or legal guardian with valid photo ID to sign consent forms
- Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education students:
- Proof of purchase for the official PTDE Program Guide packet (purchased online from TDLR before starting the course).
- Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Affidavit (DL-90B), signed by the parent instructor
- Adults (Ages 18–24):
- Driver Education Completion Certificate (Form ADE-1317) for an approved Texas 6-Hour Adult Driver Education course
- Adults (Ages 25+):
- Formal driver education is not mandated by Texas law, but bring your completion certificate (Form ADE-1317) if you voluntarily take the adult course Texas adult driver education course.
Verification of Enrollment (VOE) Requirement
Texas law requires driver license applicants under 18 to present a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) Form to prove they meet the state’s 90% school attendance rule.
- Request the VOE form from your high school’s administration office. Homeschool parents can download the VOE Form PDF and sign as the program administrator.
- The signed VOE form is valid for 30 days during the school year, or 90 days if issued during summer break (June–August). The VOE used for a learner’s permit will have expired, so teens applying for a provisional license will need a new one.
- During summer, a final end-of-year report card showing complete grades and attendance is also accepted if a VOE form cannot be obtained.
- A high school diploma or GED replaces the VOE, so bring this instead if it applies to you.
Identity and Residency Requirements
Everyone who applies for a Texas driver’s license must present original proof of identity and Texas residency to build your state driver record.
Primary of identity and citizenship or lawful presence (bring one):
- Unexpired U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card
- Certified U.S. Birth Certificate
- Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization (Form N-550/N-560/N-570)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240 or DS-1350)
- Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD / Form I-766)
- Valid foreign passport with unexpired U.S. Visa and I-94
Proof of Social Security Number (bring one):
- Original Social Security card
- W-2 or 1099 tax form showing full 9-digit SSN
- Paycheck stub showing name and full SSN
- Signed SSN Affidavit (at the DPS counter, only if ineligible for an SSN)
Proof of Texas residency (bring two):
- Residential lease agreement, mortgage statement, or deed
- Utility bill (electric, water, gas, internet, or phone)
- Bank, credit card, or investment account statement
- Current Texas vehicle registration, title, or auto insurance policy
- Texas high school transcript, report card, or college transcript
- Official mail from a federal, state, county, or city agency
- Signed Texas Residency Affidavit (DL-5) and parent’s two proofs of residency (for minors)
Proof of legal name change (if applicable):
- Official marriage license
- Final divorce decree
- Court-ordered legal name change document
For a complete list of required and acceptable licensing documents, see the DPS What to bring with you when applying for a Texas Driver License checklist.
Texas Road Test Fees
Texas does not charge a standalone fee for the DPS road test. How much your driving test costs depends on if you take the test at the DPS office or a commercial school.
- DPS office road test: The road test is included in your license application fee ($16 for minors; $33 for adults ages 18–84). This fee covers up to three test attempts within 90 days. The DPS accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks, and money orders.
- Driving school road test: Outside providers charge an independent testing fee, typically ranging from $50 to $120. Note that if you test with a driving school, you must still pay the license fee to the DPS when submitting your driver license application. Driving schools typically charge a fee for additional test attempts.
