What Texas Teens Need to Get Their Texas Provisional Driver License

So, you’ve completed the 46 hours of required Texas Driver Education, and are ready to apply for your Texas Provisional Driver License. Congrats! Let me help you get ready to apply so your experience is stress free and easy!

 

First, let’s make sure you qualify  to apply for your Texas Provisional Driver License. You need to answer “Yes”  to all three (3) of the following questions:

 

• Have you held your Texas Learner License for at least six months?

• Are you between 16 and 18 years of age?

• Have you completed the state requirements for behind-the-wheel driver education, which includes:
  • 7 hours of sitting beside a driving instructor, watching the instructor demonstrate certain points of driving instruction
  • 7 hours of driving and demonstrating to the instructor that you have learned the points of driving instruction
  • 30 hours of behind the wheel driving practice with a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, in the vehicle at all times, and at least 10 hours must be at night,

 

If you qualify, let’s get you ready to apply for your Texas Provisional Driver License! First, let’s make sure you bring the correct forms and documents to your local Texas DPS Driver License Office. No one wants to get there, and find out they have to come back again. Here’s what you should bring:

 

• Your Parent or Legal Guardian:  Your parent or legal guardian must be present when you apply.
  

• Your Texas Learner License:  You will show the Texas DPS Customer Service Representative your Texas Learner License.
  

• Your Social Security Card:  You will show your social security card to verify you are a U.S. citizen.
  

• Your Birth Certificate or Passport:  You will show the Texas DPS Customer Service Representative your birth certificate or passport to verify your identity.
  

• Verification of Enrollment Form (VOE):  If you are still in high school, you will need to bring a completed Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form (VOE) obtained from your high school and signed by a school administrator. Home School Parents will download and complete the VOE from the TDLR website.

• Texas Driver Education Completion Certificate (DE-964):  You must present a signed, original DE-964 form to verify you completed the required 44 hours of behind-the-wheel driver education. DE-964 certificates are obtained from your driving school, or if you are enrolled in a Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course, the forms are found in the TDLR Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) Program Guide.

• Impact Texas Teen Drivers Certificate of Course Completion:  You must present proof of completion of the mandatory two (2) hour, free Impact Texas Teen Drivers Course. You must have completed the Impact Texas Teen Drivers course within 90 days of taking your In-Car Driving Skills Road Test.

• Proof of Insurance:  If you own a car, you must present proof of liability insurance and Texas vehicle registration before you can take your In-Car Driving Skills Road Test. If you don’t own a car, you must submit a statement affirming that you do not own a vehicle.

• Texas Driver License Application:  You must download and present a completed Texas Driver License Application. This form is also available at all Texas DPS Driver License Offices.

• 30-Hour Driving Log:  If you are enrolled in Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) course, your parent-taught instructor must complete and sign the 30-Hour Driving Log found in the PTDE Program Guide.

• Valid Texas Registration and Inspection Sticker:  You must show a current Texas Registration and Inspection Sticker and valid license plates on the vehicle used for the driving test.

• Current Proof of Liability Insurance:  You must present a current insurance card for the vehicle used in the Driving Skills Road test .

• Schedule Driving Skills Road Test Appointment:  You must schedule an appointment in advance for your In-Car Driving Skills Road Test if you are planning to take it at the Texas DPS.

 

In–Car Driving Skills Road Test

 

Second, you will need to pass the Texas Driving Skills Road Test to apply for your Texas Provisional License. You can take the Driving Skills Test at a Texas DPS Driver License Office, or through a third party provider, like a certified driving instructor.

If you will be taking your Driving Skills Road Test at a local Texas DPS Driver License Office, let’s go over  what you need to do or bring:

• Schedule a Driving Skills Test appointment online, or call the driver license office, and

• Bring your Texas Learner License, proof of current Texas Vehicle Registration, and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will use during the test.

 

Appointment with Texas DPS Customer Service

 

Once you arrive at the Texas DPS Office, you will provide the following documentation to the DPS clerk:

 

• Evidence of successfully passing the Driving Road Test. If you took the driving test at a driver training school, the results must be provided by the school in a sealed envelope.

• The list of documents outlined above.

• Your signature and thumbprints.

• Have your picture taken.

• Pay the $16 Texas Provisional Driver The License Application Fee.

 

 

Temporary Texas Provisional Driver License

 

Once your Texas Provisional Driver License has been issued, you will receive a temporary receipt. Before leaving the DPS office, you should review the accuracy of your temporary receipt. You want to make sure your name, address, and date of birth are all correct. If any of the information is incorrect, notify the customer service representative to correct it. Your new card should arrive in the mail in 2 – 3 weeks!

 

Texas Provisional License Driving Restrictions

After getting your Texas Provisional Driver License, you can drive by yourself, but – until you are 18 years old – the State of Texas places the following driving restrictions on Texas Teens:

• You may not drive a vehicle with more than one (1) passenger in the vehicle who is under 21 years old and not a family member.

• You may not drive a vehicle between midnight and 5:00 a.m., unless it’s necessary for work, necessary to participate in a school extracurricular activity, or necessary for a medical emergency.

• You are restricted from using a cell phone in any way including texting, browsing the internet, and accepting and/or placing calls, except in the case of an emergency.

 

When Your Texas Provisional License Expires

 

Last, just a heads up – your Texas Provisional Driver License will expire when you turn 18 years old. At that time, you will need to renew your license by visiting your local driver license office within 30 days of the expiration date. You will then be issued a driver license for individuals under 21 years of age.