Texas Drivers Ed Guide - Legit Course

Oh how I do miss Texas. There's something about the place that is truly unlike anywhere else on Earth. I live in the United Kingdom now with my British wife, but I spent many years in Texas creating the Drivers Education brand Aceable. Austin was home. It still is. I daydream about Mickelwait BBQ, Torchy's Queso, and Chick Fil A quite frequently (no joke, I actually pay $20 a bottle for it here in the UK…it's incredibly hard to get). My US driver's License and Texas Tag on my suitcase show how I feel about the place. I maintain a part-time residence there and it will always be “home” for me and where I truly created myself.

Enough about me! I know you're eager to claim your independence and experience the freedom of the open road. Achieving this significant milestone starts with your Texas driver's license. Navigating the road to your license may seem complex, but don't worry! We've simplified it into a smooth ride, explaining the steps in an easy, digestible way.

In this guide, we will be covering the steps to getting your Learners Permit and subsequently your driver's license in the state of Texas. We try to be exhaustive in this article, so if you aren't interested in a ton of reading, we suggest heading over to Aceable.com. Aceable is the #1 online driver's education provider in TX. They are state certified and by clicking this link or the banner below, you'll be eligible for an exclusive discount there. They have excellent customer service that is miles better than anything the government has to offer. If you get stuck during the process of getting your driver's license, you can be sure that Aceable is there to be your helping hand.

New to Texas? If you're under 18 with a license or learner's permit from another U.S. state or Canada, you won't need to take the knowledge portion of the driver's test in Texas. However, you'll need to pass the driving skills exam to earn your Texas driver's license and move on to Phase Two of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. Let's dig more into what you'll need to do to get your license. If you don't have time to read this article, I highly recommend clicking on the banner below and checking out our exclusive discount with Aceable. Their online driver's education course is state approved and by far the best quality course in the lone star state.

Understanding the Texas GDL Program

Many states, including Texas, have adopted a GDL program to lessen the risks associated with first-time drivers. The GDL program sets various milestones based on age and experience, all leading to your driver's license.

Age Requirements

14 years old: Begin Drivers Ed, although you can't apply for a Learners Permit until 15.
15 years old and completed the classroom hours of Driver's Ed: Learners Permit.
16 years old: Provisional license.
Under 18 years old: Eligible for a Provisional License after maintaining a valid learner's license for 6 months.
18 years old: Eligible to apply for a Class A, B, C, or M License (not a CDL License).

Driver's Education in Texas

In Texas, all individuals younger than 25 must complete an approved driver's education course. The course can begin as early as 14 years old. Teens can satisfy this requirement in three different ways:

An approved for-profit driver training school.
Public school driver education.
Parent-taught driver education.
A TDLR Approved Online Course (Aceable offers both Parent Taught and Instructor Taught models with online coursework)

Top-tier online platforms like Aceable, DriversEd.com, I Drive Safely, and MyImprov offer flexible, comprehensive courses to meet this requirement. They provide a blended learning experience, incorporating interactive lessons, quizzes, and real-world driving scenarios to make learning enjoyable and efficient.

These courses also include the mandatory 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training, ensuring you have hands-on experience before hitting the road.

In addition to the traditional course, you'll need to watch an informational video about distracted driving as part of the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) program. The video will educate you about the dangers of distracted driving and how to stay focused on the road. After watching the video, you'll receive an ITTD Certificate of Completion. Make sure you complete this step before taking the driving skills exam.

Aceable

My favorite company in the space, Aceable offers an interactive, mobile-friendly course that allows you to learn at your own pace, on your own time. The course includes engaging, multimedia content to make learning fun and easy. Get an Aceable discount today!

DriversEd.com

DriversEd.com boasts decades of experience and has helped over 13 million drivers learn the ropes. With 3D animated driving scenarios and case studies, it offers an immersive learning experience. Try DriversEd.com, one of the most trusted names in the space.

I Drive Safely

My first job in the Drivers Education space, I Drive Safely is time-tested and has been around since 1998. The company is basically as old as the internet itself. I Drive Safely prides itself on delivering top-quality, easy-to-understand courses. Their engaging, interactive content is designed to help you retain information and pass your exams on the first try. Try I Drive Safely in TX today.

Texas Learner's Permit

The first major step on your journey to a driver's license is obtaining a Texas learner's permit. After completing Driver's Ed and passing a practice test, it's time to visit the DPS for your written exam. The written exam covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving rules—all the information you've learned in your Driver's Ed course. Once you pass the written and vision exams, you'll have your learner's permit!

With your learner's permit, you can gain behind-the-wheel experience under the supervision of a licensed adult. This phase requires 30 hours of practice, including 10 hours of night driving.

Provisional License in TX

After holding your learner's permit for six months, completing the necessary behind-the-wheel training, and turning 16, you're ready to take the DPS driving test. If

you pass, you'll receive your intermediate license, marking the beginning of Phase Two of your driving journey.

Driving with an Intermediate License in Texas

With an Intermediate License, you can drive solo! There are a few restrictions, though:

You can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
You can't have more than one passenger under 21 who isn't a family member.
No wireless communication is allowed, hands-free or not, unless in case of an emergency.

At 18, these restrictions lift, and your license is upgraded from “provisional” to “unrestricted.”

Minor Restricted Driver License (MRDL) in TX

The MRDL, a hardship license, allows teens to become fully licensed at 15 if they meet certain requirements. It's not part of the GDL program but rather provides an alternative route for those eligible.

To qualify, you must:

Be at least 15 years old.
Complete the driver education course.
Pass the knowledge, vision, and driving tests.
Provide supporting documentation proving a need based on a family member's illness, or enrollment in a VOE program that requires the applicant to be licensed to participate.

Teen Motorcycle/Moped License in Texas

Motorcycle enthusiasts can earn their license at 16, provided they have a valid provisional driver's license and have completed an approved 15-hour motorcycle training course. For moped enthusiasts, you can get your license at 15 with parental permission and the completion of a driver's education course and an approved 15-hour motorcycle training course.

Texas Car Insurance Requirements

Auto insurance is a legal requirement in Texas, providing vital financial protection in case of an accident. As a new driver, you may increase your parents' premium significantly, so it's essential to compare multiple auto insurance companies to find the best coverage.

During Phase One, you may be covered under the insurance of the licensed adult driver accompanying you. In Phase Two, you need to show proof of insurance to get your intermediate license. Teens can be added to their parents' policy or get their own. Many insurance companies offer discounts to teens and their families, so don't forget to ask!

Congratulations!

You're now on the road to becoming a responsible and safe driver. Use the handy new license checklist to keep track of your progress.

Did you know?

These are the 20 biggest cities in Texas by population:

1. Houston
2. San Antonio
3. Dallas
4. Austin
5. Fort Worth
6. El Paso
7. Arlington
8. Corpus Christi
9. Plano
10. Laredo
11. Lubbock
12. Garland
13. Irving
14. Amarillo
15. Grand Prairie
16. Brownsville
17. McKinney
18. Frisco
19. Pasadena
20. Mesquite