How the Texas Third-Party Skills Testing (TPST) Program Works
Administered under Texas Transportation Code § 521.165, the TPST program allows you to complete an official Texas driving test with a state-certified examiner at a commercial school. Driving school examiners use the same standardized evaluation and scoring criteria as DPS specialists. The main difference is that taking the Texas drivers license test at a third-party school requires a separate testing fee, while the DPS road test is included with a state license application fee.
While driving schools can administer the road test on behalf of the state, only the DPS can issue your physical Texas driver license, so you still need to finalize your license application with the state.
DPS Driving Test vs. Driving School Road Test
| Feature | Texas DPS Office | Third-Party Driving School |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment Wait Time | Weeks to months | Can be 24 to 72 hours |
| Testing Fee | Included in state application fee | $50 to $125+ (varies by school) |
| Vehicle Option | Must bring your own vehicle | Bring your own or rent a school car |
| Weekend Options | Closed on weekends | Saturday and Sunday testing often available |
| License Issuance | Issues paper license immediately | Provides result packet or electronic upload |
How to Choose a Third-Party Testing Provider
Not every driving school is certified to conduct the official Texas drivers test. Choosing an authorized provider ensures your Texas road test results are accepted by the state without any issues. Before booking, confirm that the school is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and holds an active TPST agreement with the DPS. You can verify a provider using the official county-by-county registry on the Texas DPS website.
Key Questions to Ask Before Booking
Before scheduling your Texas road test with an outside provider, contact the driving school to clarify their policies, fees, and administrative procedures. Asking these targeted questions up front prevents unexpected costs and ensures a smooth post-test experience with the DPS:
- Are retakes included?
- Is vehicle rental available?
- How are test results delivered?
Who Can Take The Texas Road Test at a Driving School?
Most applicants eligible for a first-time Texas driver license can use a third-party testing location, provided they meet the age-specific prerequisites.
License Requirements for Teen Drivers (Ages 16–17)
Before taking the Texas road test, teens must meet all state Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) requirements, to include:
- Hold an active learner’s permit for at least 180 days.
- Complete a 24-hour Texas Teen Driver Education course.
- Log 14 hours of in-car training and 30 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 night hours).
- Complete the free 2-hour Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) video course.
Requirements for Young Adult Drivers (Ages 18–24)
Adults under the age of 25 have fewer training requirements than minors, but must still do the following to be eligible for a Texas driving test:
- Hold a valid B-restricted driver license.
- Complete a Texas 6-Hour Adult Driver Education course.
- Complete the free 1-hour Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) video course.
Requirements for Drivers Age 25 and Older
New drivers aged 25 and older are not required to complete a Texas adult driver education course, but they must still pass the written knowledge and road tests for a license. To take the road skills test, they must:
- Hold a valid B-restricted driver license.
- Complete the free 1-hour Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) video course.
Many adults over 25 voluntarily complete the Texas Adult Driver Education course to take the written test online rather than at the DPS office.
Parent-Taught Driver Education Students
Students enrolled in the Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education (PTDE) program can take their road test at a third-party school. You will need a completion certificate from your online driver’s ed course provider to present at the road test. Also bring the Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Affidavit (Form DL-90B), signed by the parent-trainer.
Hardship Licensees and the DPS Testing Rule
Applicants seeking a Minor Restricted Driver License (MRDL), commonly called a hardship license, cannot take the Class C road test in Texas through a regular TPST driving school. DPS rules specifically prohibit third-party examiners from testing MRDL applicants. If you are a teen seeking a hardship license, you must schedule your road test at a DPS office.
The B-Restricted License Requirement for Adults
A common mistake first-time adult drivers make is attempting to schedule a third-party road test before establishing an official DPS license record. Adults cannot take a third-party Texas road test without an active B-restricted driver license, which serves as the Texas adult driving permit. Like a teen learner’s permit, the B-restricted license requires an eligible adult to occupy the front passenger seat.
To apply for a B-restricted license, adults must visit a DPS office to submit proof of identity, Social Security Number, legal presence, residency, pass the vision exam, and pay the state license application fee. Once the DPS issues the restricted license, you can take your Texas DPS-authorized road test at an approved driving school because there is no required holding period for an adult permit.
Road Test Checklist: What to Bring to a Driving School
Just like at the DPS office, arriving at a driving school road test without complete paperwork will result in a canceled appointment and potential rescheduling fees.
Required Forms for Teens (16–17)
For your Texas driving test, be sure to bring:
- Valid Texas Learner License
- Driver education certificate of completion (Form DE-964)
- Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form (or diploma/GED)
- 30-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log
- Parent or legal guardian to sign legal consent forms
- ITTD certificate
Required Forms for Adults
Bring the following to your road skills test:
- Valid B-restricted driver license
- Driver education certificate (Form ADE-1317) (mandatory for ages 18–24)
- ITD certificate
Verification of Enrollment (VOE) Form Rules
Teen applicants (ages 16–17) must present a signed Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form from their high school to prove active attendance. It’s important to mind the expiration date when obtaining your VOE form: a VOE signed during the school year is valid for 30 days, while a form signed during the final five days of the spring semester or during summer months stays valid for 90 days. This means that the VOE form you used to obtain a learner’s permit has expired, and you need a new one for your provisional license application. High school graduates or GED earners can bring an official diploma instead, while home-school parents may download the VOE Form PDF and sign it.
Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Certificate Rules
Every applicant for a Texas driving test must present a printed certificate showing completion of the mandatory Impact Texas Drivers online safety video (ITTD for teens, ITAD for adults). Finishing the ITD online video generates a completion certificate that is only valid for 90 days. Do not take the ITD course until all your driver education coursework is finished, and ensure your road test takes place before the 90-day ITD window expires. You can access the ITTD and ITAD videos using the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program portal.
How Much Does a Third-Party Texas Driving Test Cost?
Private driving schools set their own testing prices, which operate independently of official state application fees. Commercial schools base their pricing on location, demand, examiner availability, and whether practice sessions are included in a road test package.
| Fee Item | Price Range | Paid To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Road Test | $50 – $120 | Driving school | Covers the 15–20 minute skills exam |
| School Car Rental Fee | $20 – $50 | Driving school | Optional; covers use of school vehicle |
| Retest Fee | $30 – $50 | Driving school | Applies after a failed test |
| Provisional License Fee (Under 18) | $16 | DPS | Mandatory state fee paid at DPS office |
| Adult Class C License Fee (18–84) | $33 | DPS | Mandatory state fee paid at DPS office |
Texas Road Test Vehicle Requirements
Wherever you take your Texas road skills exam, your test vehicle must be a standard Class C passenger vehicle in safe operating condition. If you take the road test at the DPS, you must provide a vehicle. One of the benefits of taking a third-party road test is that you usually have the option to rent one from the driving school.
If you are supplying a road test vehicle, it must have:
- Current Texas registration sticker attached to the windshield
- Valid proof of auto liability insurance (cannot be listed as an excluded driver)
- Valid license plates securely mounted on front and rear bumpers
What to Expect During the Texas Driving Test
A Texas third-party driving exam uses the same format, evaluation criteria, and scoring rules as a state DPS office. Texas driving tests last approximately 15 to 20 minutes, and to pass, you cannot exceed 30 total points in overall deductions or accumulate a concentrated loss of points on any single key section, such as parallel parking.
Examiners judge driving performance across four core areas—Control, Observation, Positioning, and Signaling (COPS)—while testing required maneuvers, including:
- Parallel parking: Parking within 18 inches of the curb without striking cones or mounting the curb.
- Straight-line backing: Reversing smoothly for about 60 feet while looking back over your right shoulder.
- Road management: Demonstrating proper speed control, lane positioning, signal timing, and intersection compliance.
If you commit a traffic violation, cause a collision or near-miss, perform a dangerous action, or disobey the examiner’s instructions, your test can be marked as a failure.
Passenger Rules for the Texas Road Test
Only the certified TPST examiner and the student driver are permitted in the vehicle during the road exam. Family members, friends, interpreters, and pets are strictly prohibited unless a state auditor is conducting an official examiner review.
What Happens After You Pass the Texas Road Test?
Passing your third-party road exam completes your practical driving test, but it does not automatically issue your physical license card. Because you already completed your photo, thumbprints, vision screening, and residency verification when obtaining your Texas driving permit, you generally will not need to repeat those steps.
However, your road test results must still be processed by the state to upgrade your card to a provisional license or full, unrestricted license. How you finalize this process depends on how your driving school submits your results.
Paper Result Packets vs. Electronic Submission
What happens after your Texas driving test depends in part on how the driving school submits your results to DPS. Many schools will upload your passing score directly into the state’s secure TPST Submission Portal and hand you a printed confirmation receipt.
Other schools issue your test results in a tamper-evident paper packet, which you must bring to an in-person DPS appointment. If this applies to you, do not open the sealed envelope envelope. Breaking the official seal voids your results, and the DPS will reject the packet.
How to Finalize Your Texas Driver License After the Road Test
If your driving school uploads your road test score electronically and you are an eligible applicant (U.S. citizen with a verified record and active permit), you can finalize your license upgrade online through the Texas by Texas (TxT) portal without visiting a DPS office. You can pay the state license fee online and print a temporary paper license that is valid for 60 days, while your license card will be mailed to you.
You must schedule an in-person DPS appointment if your school issued a physical sealed envelope, if you seek a hardship license, or if your electronic record requires manual document verification (such as biometric updates or unverified education records). If completing your upgrade in person, bring your sealed test packet (or electronic upload receipt), active permit, printed ITD certificate, VOE form (for teens), and completed Driver License Application (Form DL-14A for adults; DL-14B for minors). At the DPS, you will pay the state license fee. Once processed, you will receive a temporary paper driver license, and your permanent plastic card will arrive in the mail within two to three weeks.
Texas DPS Driver License Fees
State licensing fees are separate from third-party testing fees, and must be paid directly to the DPS when finalizing your application. The current Texas DPS fee schedule is:
- Provisional license (under 18): $16 (valid until your 18th birthday)
- Standard adult license (ages 18–84): $33 (valid for 8 years)
- License upgrade fee: $11
