Category: Texas

Photo: StuckInLagToad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Parallel parking is one of the graded maneuvers on the Texas DPS driving test. To pass it, stop 2 to 3 feet beside the car (or marker) in front, back in slowly while steering sharply, then straighten up and finish centered with your wheels close to the curb. This guide gives the step-by-step method from TDLR’s official practice guide, the Texas legal limit for distance from the curb, and a practice plan for Texas learners.

Key facts

• DPS’s drive test sheet (DL-60) lists parallel parking as a graded skill.
• TDLR’s practice guide aims for wheels 6 to 12 inches from the curb.
• Texas law requires parked wheels to be within 18 inches of the curb or road edge.
• Ask at your test site about the space size, marker setup and scoring for this maneuver.

How to parallel park: the TDLR steps

1. Signal that you are stopping and turning.
2. Stop 2 to 3 feet out, parallel to the car in front of the space.
3. Shift to reverse. Check traffic and your path, then back slowly while steering sharply toward the curb. Stop when your steering wheel lines up with the other car’s rear bumper.
4. Keep backing slowly while steering quickly the other way. Glance to the front and rear until the vehicle is straight.
5. Center the car in the space.
6. Check the curb gap: 6 to 12 inches is the target.

Leaving the space

1. Brake, shift to reverse and back as close as you safely can to the vehicle behind.
2. Check traffic, signal and shift to drive.
3. Move forward slowly while steering quickly out of the space.
4. Start straightening when your front seat is level with the back bumper of the car in front, then look to the center of your path.

What the examiner is watching

Do	Avoid
Signal before you stop and before you pull out	Forgetting the signal on the way out
Look over your shoulder and check mirrors while reversing	Letting an automated parking function do the work (not allowed)
Creep at a walking pace	Rushing, then braking hard
Finish close to the curb and straight	Hitting or climbing the curb, or ending far from it
Correct calmly if you are too far out	Touching a marker or the car in front or behind

A dangerous move during any maneuver, such as reversing into the path of traffic, can end the test. See Texas road test maneuvers.

How far from the curb is legal in Texas?

Under Transportation Code section 545.303, on a two-way road you must park with your right-hand wheels parallel to and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or road edge. On a one-way road you can park on either side, within 18 inches of that curb. Aim for 6 to 12 inches so you have margin.

A practice plan that works

1. Empty parking lot. Use two cones, trash cans or boxes to mark a space. Practice the steps at walking pace until the reference points feel automatic.
2. Quiet residential street with one parked car, then two.
3. Both sides. Practice on a one-way street if you can, so a left-side park does not throw you.
4. Log it. The TDLR 30-hour log includes a parking lesson covering angle, perpendicular, parallel, curb and hill parking. See the Texas 30-hour log.

Parking on a hill (often asked on the test)

TDLR’s guide says to set the parking brake, put the car in park (reverse or first gear in a manual) and turn the front wheels:

• toward the curb when parking downhill
• toward the curb (road edge) when parking uphill with no curb
• away from the curb when parking uphill with a curb

More on curbs, hydrants and no-parking zones in US parking rules for new drivers.

Common questions

Does Texas use poles or cones for parallel parking?

The setup varies, so ask the DPS office or driving school where you test.

How many tries do I get at parallel parking on the test?

Ask the examiner how many corrections are allowed. Practice until you can do it in one smooth attempt with at most one small correction.

Do I lose points for touching the curb?

The DL-7 says more than 30 points deducted fails the driving exam, but it does not give the points per item, so ask DPS. Treat any contact with the curb or a marker as a likely deduction, and climbing the curb as a likely fail.

Can I use my backup camera?

Yes. The DL-7 (January 2026) allows a back-up camera for parallel parking and backing, but not an automated vehicle parking function. Keep checking your mirrors and around the car as well.

What if a car pulls up behind me while I am parking?

Stop, wait for it to pass or back off, then carry on. Patience is safe driving, and the examiner will see it that way.

Related guides

• How to get a driver’s license in Texas
• Taking the Texas road test at a driving school
• Which states require parallel parking

Sources

• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapter 1, Description of the Driving Exam, and chapter 7 (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Texas 30-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Driver Education 30 Hour Behind the Wheel Log (DES150N)” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code Chapter 545, Operation and Movement of Vehicles”, section 545.303 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “How to Prepare for a Drive Test: Safety Tips (DL-60)” (dps.texas.gov)

Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On the Texas driving test, a DPS examiner (or an authorized driving school examiner) grades your control of the car through set maneuvers. These include backing in a straight line, parallel parking, approaching intersections, turning and stopping in traffic. This guide covers what is graded, what ends a test early, what your vehicle needs and how retests work. It is for Texas teens heading for a provisional license and for adult first-time applicants.

Before you book: what you need

• Your driver education certificate, if you are under 25.
• A printed Impact Texas Drivers certificate, dated within 90 days of the test. The electronic copy is not accepted. See ITTD or ITAD.
• Under 18: at least six months on your learner license and your completed 30-hour practice log.
• A road test appointment at a DPS driver license office, or a test at an authorized third-party driving school.

What maneuvers are on the Texas driving test?

DPS’s drive test preparation sheet (DL-60) lists these among the graded skills:

Maneuver	What to show
Backing in a straight line	Look over your shoulder, keep it slow and straight
Parallel parking	Signal, control speed, finish close to the curb without hitting anything. See how to pass Texas parallel parking
Approaching intersections	Slow down, scan left, right and left again, yield where required
Turning	Signal early, get into the correct lane, turn into the correct lane
Stopping in traffic	Smooth stops, behind the line, with a safe gap to the car ahead

DL-60 also lists general habits graded throughout the drive: checking mirrors and blind spots before moving over, smooth steering and braking, and keeping both hands on the wheel except when backing. Download the current DL-60 from Texas DPS for the full checklist, and practice every item on it before you book.

The DL-7 handbook (January 2026) grades every driver on four basics: control, observation, positioning and signaling. It adds these skills you may be graded on: a quick stop from about 20 mph without skidding, backing about 60 feet slowly and straight, stop signs, signals, right-of-way, following and passing, clutch use on a manual, and posture, with hands on the wheel and no elbow on the window. The examiner will not ask you to do anything illegal, and you should not chat during the drive. Afterward the examiner explains your errors.

What makes you fail the Texas road test straight away?

The DL-7 says your application will not be approved if you violate the law, refuse to follow instructions, drive dangerously or have a crash, or have more than 30 points deducted. In practice, think of anything that would break a traffic law or force another road user to react:

• running a stop sign or red light
• failing to yield to a pedestrian or vehicle with right-of-way
• speeding, or driving dangerously slowly
• hitting a curb, object or vehicle
• an unsafe lane change without checking

For habits that cost points on road tests across the US, see common reasons people fail the driving test.

Vehicle requirements for the Texas driving test

You bring the car. Based on DPS’s drive test guidance:

• Valid registration and insurance. You do not have to be named on the policy, but you cannot be listed as an excluded driver.
• Unexpired registration. Since January 1, 2025, most non-commercial cars no longer need a yearly safety inspection; emissions testing still applies in some counties.
• Two license plates (single out-of-state or temporary plates are accepted).
• Working turn signals, horn and seat belts.
• A newly bought car can be used with buyer plates, not dealer plates.
• Rental cars: you must be listed on the rental agreement as an authorized driver, and the rental company must allow driving tests.

The examiner checks the vehicle before you drive. A failed check means no test that day, so test the lights and horn the night before.

Retest rules: how many tries do you get?

The Texas Transportation Code gives you three attempts at each part of the exam, including the driving test, for one application and fee. After a third fail, you submit a new application and pay again. The DL-7 also says an application is held for 90 days after a failed first attempt, and that a new application and fee are needed after 90 days or three fails. Watch your Impact Texas Drivers certificate as well. If 90 days pass from its date before you pass the driving test, you must redo the program.

Under 18s cannot have the driving test waived. Every applicant under 18 takes it, even with a license from another state.

Common questions

How long is the Texas driving test?

Ask DPS how long to expect. Allow time for document checks and the vehicle inspection as well as the drive.

Can I take the Texas road test at a driving school?

Yes. DPS can authorize driver education providers to give the driving test under its Third Party Skills Testing program. See testing at a driving school.

Can a parent ride along during the test?

Plan on the examiner being your only passenger. If you are not yet eligible to drive in Texas, a licensed driver must bring the car to the test area and drive you away if you are not issued a license. Check with the office or school if you need an interpreter or other help.

Is parallel parking on every Texas road test?

DL-60 and the DL-7 both list it as a graded skill, so prepare for it on every test. A back-up camera is allowed, but an automated parking function is not.

What happens after I pass?

You receive a temporary license, good for 45 days or until the card arrives. TDLR says the card usually arrives by mail in about 2 to 3 weeks. Under 18s get a provisional license with GDL restrictions.

Related guides

• How to get a driver’s license in Texas
• Texas 30-hour driving log
• US road test by state

Sources

• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapter 1, Examinations and Description of the Driving Exam (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “How to Prepare for a Drive Test: Safety Tips (DL-60)” (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Section 2: Scheduling a Road Test” (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code Chapter 521, Driver’s Licenses and Certificates”, sections 521.161 and 521.165 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Getting a Provisional Driver’s License” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Impact Texas Teen Drivers: FAQs” (impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Do I Need to Take Driver Education in Texas?” (tdlr.texas.gov)

Photo: StuckInLagToad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Texas learner license test (often called the Texas permit test) has three parts: a vision test, a highway sign test and a traffic law test. Teens can take it through their driver education provider or at a Texas DPS driver license office. This guide covers what is tested, where to take it, when you are eligible, what to bring and what happens if you fail.

Key facts

• Minimum age for the learner license: 15.
• Tested: vision, highway signs (in English), traffic laws, your duties toward cyclists, and how phones and other distractions affect driving.
• Where: with a licensed driver education provider or at DPS.
• Pass mark: 70 percent on any knowledge exam.
• Attempts: one application fee covers three tries at each part.
• Learner license fee in the Transportation Code: $15 (as of November 2026).

What is on the Texas permit test?

Section 521.161 of the Texas Transportation Code says the license exam must test your:

• vision
• ability to identify and understand highway signs in English that regulate, warn or direct traffic
• knowledge of Texas traffic laws
• knowledge of drivers’ rights and responsibilities toward bicyclists
• knowledge of how using a wireless device, or other distractions, affects safe driving

Questions come from the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7). Study the signs, right-of-way, speed, parking and alcohol sections closely.

How many questions are on the Texas permit test, and what is the passing score?

The DL-7 handbook (January 2026) says you must score 70 percent or better to pass any knowledge exam. It does not give a question count, so ask your provider or Texas DPS, and do not rely on figures from unofficial practice sites. For states that do publish their numbers, see permit test questions by state.

Where can you take the test: provider or DPS?

Who gives it	Parts they can give
In-person or online driver education provider	Vision, highway sign and traffic law tests
Parent-taught course provider	Highway sign and traffic law tests (vision is checked at DPS)
Texas DPS driver license office	All parts, for anyone who did not test with a provider

If you passed the written test during your course, it is waived at DPS. You still need the driving test later.

Can you take it in writing or in Spanish?

Yes. The law requires DPS to offer the sign and law parts in writing as well as by computer or other method. It also requires a Spanish version for applicants who cannot take the test in English. In the Spanish version the directions are in Spanish but sign text stays in English.

When are you eligible?

• You are at least 15.
• You have completed enough classroom instruction. That means the whole classroom phase (at least 24 hours) under the block method, or the first 6 hours under the concurrent method. One TDLR parent-taught page still says 32 hours for the block method, so check with your provider.
• You have the DE-964 certificate of completion from your course provider.

What to bring to DPS for the learner license

• Completed driver license application
• Proof of US citizenship or lawful presence
• Proof of Texas residency
• Proof of identity
• Social Security number
• Proof of Texas vehicle registration and vehicle insurance (or a signed statement that you do not own a vehicle)
• DE-964 certificate showing classroom completion
• Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form, or a diploma or GED
• Parent-taught students: the instructor designation receipt, and the parent instructor must come with you
• The application fee

Book an appointment at a DPS driver license office first.

The VOE form

Under 18s without a diploma or GED need the VOE. A school official signs it (a stamped or computer-generated signature is fine). It is valid for 30 days, or 90 days if issued between June and August. You must be enrolled with at least 80 days of attendance (45 days in a high school equivalency program). Schools apply the 90% attendance rule for class credit.

What if you fail the Texas permit test?

One application and fee entitles you to three attempts at each part of the exam. If you have not passed after the third try, you submit a new application with a new fee. The DL-7 adds that an application is held for 90 days after a first failed attempt, and that after 90 days or three fails you need a new application and fee. Use the gap to work through the handbook section you struggled with.

Common questions

Can I take the Texas permit test online?

You can take the sign and law tests through a licensed online driver education provider as part of your course. Otherwise you test at DPS.

Is the vision test part of the permit test?

Yes. Classroom and online providers can give it. Parent-taught students take the vision test at DPS.

Do I need to pass the permit test again for my provisional license?

No. You pass the knowledge parts once. At the provisional stage you take the driving test.

How much does the Texas learner license cost?

The Transportation Code sets the learner license fee at $15 (as of November 2026). The DL-7 fee table shows $16 with the $1 administrative fee. Confirm the current amount on the Texas DPS fees page.

Can I start driving right after I pass?

Only once DPS has issued your learner license, and only with a licensed driver aged 21 or over, with at least one year of experience, in the front passenger seat.

I am 18 or over. Do I take the test at DPS?

Usually, yes. If you take the 24-hour course instead of the 6-hour adult course, TDLR says you may be able to do some testing with your provider. See adult driver ed in Texas.

Related Texas guides

• How to get a driver’s license in Texas
• Texas parent-taught driver education
• Texas provisional license rules
• Texas phone and texting laws

Sources

• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapter 1, Examinations, and appendix D (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code Chapter 521, Driver’s Licenses and Certificates”, sections 521.161, 521.162, 521.1655, 521.204, 521.222 and 521.421 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Getting the Learner License” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Classroom Instruction” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Getting a Provisional Driver’s License” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Verification of Enrollment and Attendance” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Do I Need to Take Driver Education in Texas?” (tdlr.texas.gov)

Photo: Joshua Brown, Pexels

In Texas, you apply for a disabled parking placard with form VTR-214 at your county tax assessor-collector’s office, and a doctor or other health care provider completes the disability statement. You qualify if you have a mobility problem that substantially impairs your ability to move around, or vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with correction (or a field of 20 degrees or less). A red placard covers a temporary disability for up to 6 months; a blue placard covers a permanent disability and is renewed every 4 years. The placard is only valid when the person with the disability is in the vehicle.

Who qualifies in Texas?

Under the Texas definition you qualify with either:

• A vision disability: visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or a field of vision whose widest diameter is 20 degrees or less; or
• A mobility problem that substantially impairs your ability to move around, such as paralysis, lung disease, cardiac deficiency, using a wheelchair, arthritis, a foot disorder, or another condition that means you need a brace, cane, crutch or other assistive device.

Red, blue or plates?

Type	For	How long it lasts
Red placard	Temporary disability	6 months or less
Blue placard	Permanent disability	Renewed every 4 years
License plates with the International Symbol of Access	Permanent disability	Issued for your vehicle; ask your county office about renewal
Disabled veteran (DV) plates or placard	Qualifying service-connected disability	Separate application, form VTR-615

DV plates without the access symbol do not by themselves allow parking in disabled spaces; veterans who also meet the disability definition can apply for a placard or access-symbol plates.

How to apply

1. Download form VTR-214, “Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate”.
2. Complete your part, and have your doctor or health care provider complete the disability statement.
3. Take or send it to your county tax assessor-collector’s office with any fee that applies. TxDMV’s page does not list the amounts, so check with your county office.

Renewing

• Red placard: if your disability lasts longer than six months, apply for a new one.
• Blue placard: complete page 1 of a new VTR-214 (no new doctor’s statement needed) and submit it with a copy of your original application or your expiring placard.

Using a placard in a teen or learner car

The placard belongs to the person with the disability, not the car. It is valid only when that person is driving or being driven. So:

• A teen driver with their own placard can hang it in any family car they drive, including on practice drives with a parent.
• A parent with a placard can use it when they are in the car as the supervising passenger.
• A teen cannot use a parent’s placard to park in a disabled space when the parent is not in the car. That breaks state law, with fines up to $1,250, up to 50 hours of community service, or both. The DL-7 handbook puts a first offense at $500 to $750.

What the placard lets you do

• Park in spaces designated for people with disabilities.
• Keep clear of the striped area beside a space and of curb ramps, even with a placard, because wheelchair lifts need that room.
• Use the statutory fee exemption at local and state government parking meters, subject to the municipal-airport exception. Federal parking fees are not covered. Posted time limits still apply unless a local ordinance extends the privilege; a placard does not permit parking where or when parking is prohibited.

General parking rules for new drivers are in US parking rules for new drivers, and the full licensing process is in Learning to drive in Texas. Compare other states in Disabled parking placards for new drivers: every state, California, Florida and New York.

Back to the hub: Driving with a medical condition or disability in the US.

Sources

• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapter 7, Disabled Parking (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, “Disabled Parking Placards and Plates” (txdmv.gov)
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, form VTR-214, “Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate” (txdmv.gov)
• Texas Legislature, Transportation Code section 681.006(b) to (e), parking privileges and exceptions (tcss.legis.texas.gov)

Photo: StuckInLagToad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

To get a Texas learner license (the permit stage for 15 to 17 year olds), you bring proof of identity, your Social Security number, proof of US citizenship or lawful presence, two proofs of Texas residency, a school attendance form (VOE) or diploma, and your driver education certificate, plus a parent or guardian to sign. This checklist sets out exactly which documents the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) rules accept, as of November 2026, so you get it right the first time.

Key facts

• Who: Texas teens aged 15 to 17 who are enrolled in an approved driver education course.
• Identity: one primary document (such as a US passport), or two secondary documents, or one secondary plus two supporting documents.
• Residency: two documents with your name and Texas address, or a residency affidavit from a family member you live with.
• School form: VOE valid 30 days from signing during the school year, 90 days in summer break.
• Driver ed: the “For Learner License Only” part of the Texas Driver Education Certificate.
• Fee: $15 for a learner license under state law (Transportation Code 521.421), as of November 2026. The DL-7 handbook adds a $1 administrative fee, so $16. Check the DPS fees page before you go.

Before you go: are you eligible?

• You are at least 15 and under 18.
• You are enrolled in an approved commercial, public school or parent-taught driver education course. Coursework can’t start before your 14th birthday.
• You have finished the classroom hours needed for the learner license: the first 6 hours if you are on the concurrent method, or the whole classroom phase (at least 24 hours) on the block method.

Parent-taught? See Texas parent-taught driver education step by step.

The Texas learner license documents checklist

1. Completed application for a Texas driver license, signed by your parent or legal guardian (see below).
2. Proof of identity (see the table).
3. Social Security number. DPS records it and verifies it with the Social Security Administration.
4. Proof of US citizenship or lawful presence. For US citizens, a US passport or US birth certificate usually serves. Non-citizens must show a document from the appropriate US agency that authorizes them to be in the US.
5. Two proofs of Texas residency in your name, or a residency affidavit (see below).
6. VOE form signed by your school, or a high school diploma or GED.
7. Texas Driver Education Certificate, with the “For Learner License Only” section completed by your course.
8. Test results from your driver education provider, if it gave you the knowledge test. Anything your course didn’t do is done at the DPS office.
9. Evidence of financial responsibility for each vehicle you own, or a statement that you do not own one. The DL-7 asks all original applicants for this.
10. Any permit or license from another state you have held, or a DPS affidavit that it was lost, stolen or expired.
11. The fee. See Texas license fees and test booking.

Which identity documents does Texas accept?

DPS rules sort identity documents into three groups. Every document must be verifiable.

Group	Examples
Primary (one is enough)	Unexpired US passport; US citizenship (naturalization) certificate with photo; unexpired USCIS document with photo; unexpired US military ID; foreign passport with US visa and I-94 (conditions apply); Texas license or ID within two years of expiry
Secondary	Original or certified copy of a birth certificate from a US state vital statistics office (or a US territory, DC or Canadian province); US Department of State Certification of Birth Abroad; certified court order showing a name or gender change
Supporting	School records; Social Security card; insurance policy at least two years old; vehicle title; military records; voter registration card; and others listed in the rule

What you need: one primary document, or two secondary documents, or one secondary document plus two supporting documents. A common set for a teen: a US passport on its own, or a certified birth certificate plus two supporting documents such as a school record and a Social Security card.

Proof of Texas residency for teens

DPS asks original applicants for two documents showing your name and Texas home address. At least one must show you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days, unless you surrender a valid out-of-state license or ID. Accepted documents include:

• A Texas high school, college or university report card or transcript for the current school year
• A current car insurance card or policy, or homeowners or renters insurance
• A utility or service bill dated within 180 days, including cell phone, internet or streaming bills
• Bank or credit card statements dated within 180 days
• Mail from a government agency dated within 180 days
• A pay stub dated within 180 days, or a W-2 or 1099 for the most recent tax year
• A lease, deed or mortgage statement

Two documents from the same source for different months don’t count. Mail with a forwarding label isn’t accepted.

No bills in your name? Use the residency affidavit

Many teens use this. A family member you live with completes a Texas residency affidavit. You then bring a document showing your relationship to them (for example, your birth certificate naming your parent) plus two acceptable residency documents in their name.

The VOE and school rules

• A school official completes the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form.
• It is valid for 30 days from the date it is signed while school is in session, and 90 days during summer break. Get it close to your appointment date.
• Homeschooled? You can bring the VOE, or a letter from your instructor with the same information (without the school name and district).
• If you already have a diploma or GED, bring that instead.

Who signs for a minor?

The person who has custody of you signs the application: usually a parent. If you aren’t in a parent’s custody, a guardian or someone with power of attorney from your parent signs. Failing that, the rules allow your employer, the county judge or a Department of Family and Protective Services custodian. Teens who are or have been married, or who have had the disabilities of minority removed by a court, can bring that proof instead of a parent’s signature.

Does a Texas learner license come as a REAL ID?

The documents above (identity, Social Security number, lawful presence and two proofs of address) match the federal REAL ID minimum. Ask DPS whether the card you’ll receive is REAL ID compliant. See REAL ID and your first US driver’s license.

Before you leave home

• Originals or certified copies of identity documents, not photocopies
• Names match across documents (bring a court order or other proof if not)
• VOE signed within the last 30 days (90 in summer)
• Residency documents dated within 180 days, where the rule sets a date
• Driver education certificate with the learner section filled in
• Parent or guardian with you to sign
• Appointment booked: see booking a Texas DPS appointment
• Ready for any tests not done by your course: see the Texas permit test guide and the Texas permit practice test

Common questions

Do I need my Social Security card for a Texas permit?

The rules require the number, and DPS verifies it with the Social Security Administration. The card is listed as a supporting identity document, so it can help make up your identity set. If you have never been issued a number, DPS has a Social Security affidavit for you to sign.

Can I use my parent’s bills as proof of residency?

Yes, through the residency affidavit. Your parent completes it, and you bring proof of your relationship plus two residency documents in their name.

How long is the Texas VOE good for?

30 days from the date it is signed during the school year, and 90 days during summer break.

Is a photocopy of my birth certificate OK?

No. The rule calls for an original or certified copy issued by a vital statistics office.

I’m 18. Do I need these documents?

The identity, Social Security, lawful presence and residency documents, yes. The learner license, VOE and parent signature rules are for 15 to 17 year olds. Adults follow a different route: see the Texas adult driver ed course and ITAD.

I just moved to Texas. What changes?

Bring any out-of-state permit or license. If you surrender a valid out-of-state license, the 30-day Texas residence requirement doesn’t apply. See moving to Texas.

Related guides

• How to get a driver’s license in Texas
• First permit documents in every state
• California permit documents checklist

Sources

• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapter 1, How to Obtain a Texas Driver License (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “37 Texas Administrative Code Section 15.24 Identification of Applicants” (text via law.cornell.edu)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “37 Texas Administrative Code Section 15.27 Issuance Requirements for Minor Driver License Applicants” and “Section 15.28 Learner, Provisional and Hardship License Requirements” (text via law.cornell.edu)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “37 Texas Administrative Code Section 15.42 Social Security Number” and “Section 15.49 Proof of Domicile” (text via law.cornell.edu)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code Chapter 521, Sections 521.142 and 521.421” (tcss.legis.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Verification of Enrollment and Attendance” (tdlr.texas.gov)

Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Texas learner license test has three parts: vision, highway signs and traffic laws. This free practice test covers the two written parts with 40 original questions, including the topics Texas law says the exam must test: signs in English, Texas traffic laws, your duties toward cyclists and how phones and other distractions affect driving. The questions are unofficial practice written from Texas law and the Texas Driver Handbook topics; they are not DPS questions.

What the Texas permit test covers

Part	What is tested	Who can give it
Vision	Eyesight	Classroom and online driver ed providers, or DPS
Highway signs	Signs that regulate, warn or direct traffic, in English	Driver ed providers (including parent-taught) or DPS
Traffic laws	Texas traffic laws, cyclist rights and duties, distractions	Driver ed providers (including parent-taught) or DPS

One application and fee covers three tries at each part. The DL-7 handbook (January 2026) sets the pass mark at 70 percent. It does not give a question count, so ask your provider or Texas DPS rather than relying on figures from unofficial sites. More detail in the Texas learner license test guide.

Highway signs (questions 1 to 12)

1. What does a red octagon mean?

• A. Slow down for a curve
• B. Stop completely
• C. Yield
• D. Do not pass

Answer: B. The eight-sided shape is used only for STOP. Stop at the line, before the crosswalk, or where you can see cross traffic. Handbook topic: signs, signals and markings.

2. Which sign shape is used for a YIELD sign?

• A. Downward-pointing triangle
• B. Pennant
• C. Circle
• D. Pentagon

Answer: A. YIELD signs are red and white triangles pointing down. Slow down and give the right of way, stopping if needed. Handbook topic: signs.

3. A yellow diamond with a curved arrow warns that:

• A. You must turn
• B. The lane is for turning only
• C. The road curves ahead
• D. The road is closed

Answer: C. Yellow diamonds are warning signs. Slow down before the curve, not in it. Handbook topic: warning signs.

4. A pentagon-shaped sign (like a house) marks:

• A. A school zone or school crossing
• B. A rest area
• C. A hospital
• D. An exit

Answer: A. The five-sided shape is reserved for school signs. Handbook topic: signs.

5. A round yellow sign with an X and two letter Rs means:

• A. Rough road ahead
• B. Roundabout
• C. Right lane reduced
• D. Railroad crossing ahead

Answer: D. This is the advance warning sign for a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen. Handbook topic: signs.

6. A sideways, pennant-shaped yellow sign on the left side of the road means:

• A. Bike lane ahead
• B. Two-way traffic ends
• C. No passing zone begins
• D. Road narrows

Answer: C. The pennant marks the start of a no passing zone. Handbook topic: signs.

7. Orange signs are used for:

• A. Hospitals
• B. Construction and work zones
• C. Evacuation routes only
• D. Toll roads

Answer: B. Orange marks a work zone. Slow down, follow flaggers and watch for workers. Handbook topic: signs.

8. A white rectangle reading SPEED LIMIT 45 is a:

• A. Guide sign
• B. Suggested speed only
• C. Warning sign
• D. Regulatory sign you must obey

Answer: D. White rectangular signs with black letters are usually regulatory. The posted number is a maximum, not a target. Handbook topic: regulatory signs.

9. A brown sign with white lettering usually points to:

• A. A recreation area or cultural site
• B. A hazard
• C. A school
• D. An interstate exit

Answer: A. Brown signs guide you to parks, recreation and points of interest. Green signs give directions; blue signs show services. Handbook topic: guide signs.

10. A red sign with white letters reading DO NOT ENTER tells you:

• A. Parking is not allowed
• B. The road ahead floods
• C. You may enter only to turn around
• D. You must not enter that road or ramp from your direction

Answer: D. DO NOT ENTER marks a one-way road or ramp you would be entering the wrong way. Handbook topic: regulatory signs.

11. A flashing yellow light at an intersection means:

• A. Only emergency vehicles may enter
• B. Stop, then go
• C. Slow down and proceed with caution
• D. Stop and wait for green

Answer: C. Flashing yellow is a caution signal. Flashing red means stop as at a STOP sign. Handbook topic: signals.

12. Two solid yellow lines down the center of the road mean:

• A. A bus lane
• B. Passing is allowed in either direction
• C. The road is one way
• D. No passing in either direction

Answer: D. Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing for traffic in both directions. Handbook topic: pavement markings.

Right of way and turns (questions 13 to 20)

13. At a four-way stop, you arrive at the same time as a car on your right. Who goes first?

• A. The car on your right
• B. Whoever is going straight
• C. Whoever honks
• D. You

Answer: A. When two drivers arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Handbook topic: right of way.

14. You are turning left at an intersection with a green light but no arrow. You must yield to:

• A. Only buses
• B. Nobody
• C. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk
• D. Traffic behind you

Answer: C. A left turn on a plain green is not protected. Wait for a safe gap. Handbook topic: right of way, turning.

15. Unless a sign prohibits it, you may turn right on a red light in Texas after:

• A. Coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic
• B. Slowing down
• C. Honking your horn
• D. Waiting 30 seconds

Answer: A. A full stop and yield are required. Handbook topic: turning.

16. You are leaving a private driveway to enter a street. You must:

• A. Expect traffic to stop for you
• B. Yield only to trucks
• C. Yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk and to traffic on the street
• D. Sound your horn and pull out

Answer: C. Vehicles entering a road from a driveway or alley yield to everyone already there. Handbook topic: right of way.

17. An emergency vehicle with siren and flashing lights approaches from behind. You should:

• A. Speed up and keep going
• B. Pull as far right as you safely can and stop until it passes
• C. Stop where you are, even in an intersection
• D. Change to the left lane

Answer: B. Yield by pulling to the right edge, clear of intersections, and stopping. Handbook topic: right of way, emergency vehicles.

18. When entering a roundabout, you should:

• A. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
• B. Travel clockwise
• C. Expect traffic in the circle to stop for you
• D. Stop inside the circle

Answer: A. Slow down, yield to circulating traffic and pedestrians, and travel counterclockwise. Handbook topic: intersections.

19. A pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk as your light turns green. You should:

• A. Go, because you have the green
• B. Honk
• C. Wait until the pedestrian has crossed your path
• D. Drive around them

Answer: C. Pedestrians lawfully in a crosswalk have the right of way. Handbook topic: pedestrians.

20. When a traffic officer’s signals conflict with a traffic light, you obey:

• A. The officer
• B. Whichever is more convenient
• C. Neither; stop and wait
• D. The traffic light

Answer: A. An officer directing traffic overrides signs and signals. Handbook topic: signals.

Speed, space and sharing the road (questions 21 to 28)

21. The posted limit is 60 mph, but fog has cut visibility to a few hundred feet. Driving at 60 mph is:

• A. Required to keep traffic flowing
• B. Legal and safe because it is the limit
• C. Unsafe, because you must drive at a speed reasonable for conditions
• D. Allowed with hazard lights on

Answer: C. Speed limits are maximums for good conditions. Slow down so you can stop within the distance you can see. Handbook topic: speed.

22. Following too closely is most dangerous because:

• A. It makes the driver ahead speed up
• B. You may not be able to stop in time if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly
• C. It is illegal only on highways
• D. It wastes fuel

Answer: B. Leave enough space to stop safely, and more on wet roads, at night and behind large vehicles. Handbook topic: following distance.

23. Texas law says the knowledge exam must test your rights and duties toward bicyclists. When passing a cyclist on a narrow road, you should:

• A. Honk until the cyclist moves off the road
• B. Slow down and pass only when you can leave plenty of room
• C. Pass as closely as possible to get by quickly
• D. Pass on the right

Answer: B. Cyclists have the right to use the road. Wait for a safe gap and give them room. Handbook topic: sharing the road.

24. You cannot see a large truck’s side mirrors. This means:

• A. The truck is about to exit
• B. You are likely in the truck’s blind spot
• C. You are at a safe distance
• D. The truck driver can see you

Answer: B. If you cannot see the driver in the mirror, the driver cannot see you. Do not linger beside trucks or cut in front of them. Handbook topic: sharing the road, trucks.

25. You are behind a school bus that stops with red lights flashing and its stop arm out. You must:

• A. Pass on the left carefully
• B. Slow to 10 mph
• C. Stop and stay stopped until the bus moves, the bus driver signals you to proceed, or the red warning lights stop flashing; proceed only when safe
• D. Stop only if children are visible

Answer: C. In Texas, drivers coming from either direction must stop while the red lights flash. The law allows you to proceed when the bus resumes motion, its driver signals you to proceed, or its visual signal is no longer operating. Check for children before moving. Oncoming drivers on a separate roadway need not stop; a center turn lane alone does not create separate roadways. There is also a limited exception for a controlled-access highway loading zone where pedestrians may not cross. Fines run from $500 to $1,250. Handbook topic: school buses.

26. A police car is stopped on the shoulder with its emergency lights on. Under move over rules, you should:

• A. Stop beside the police car
• B. Keep your speed and lane
• C. Honk as you pass
• D. Move out of the lane next to it if you safely can, or slow down

Answer: D. Texas law says move out of the lane next to the stopped vehicle if there are two or more lanes your way. If you cannot, slow to 20 mph below the posted limit, or to 5 mph where the limit is under 25 mph. The rule also covers tow trucks, TxDOT and utility vehicles with lights on. Handbook topic: sharing the road.

27. Before changing lanes on a highway, you should:

• A. Check mirrors, signal, and look over your shoulder at your blind spot
• B. Signal and move immediately
• C. Brake, then change lanes
• D. Check only the rearview mirror

Answer: A. Mirrors leave blind spots. A quick head check before moving shows whether a vehicle is beside you. Handbook topic: lane changes.

28. You are approaching a railroad crossing and the lights begin flashing. You should:

• A. Drive around the gate if no train is visible
• B. Stop and wait until the lights stop and it is safe
• C. Stop on the tracks
• D. Speed up to cross before the train

Answer: B. Never race a train or drive around lowered gates, and never stop on the tracks. Handbook topic: railroad crossings.

Alcohol, drugs and phones (questions 29 to 33)

29. In Texas, a driver under 21 commits an offense when driving with:

• A. A BAC of 0.08 or more only
• B. Alcohol only if they crash
• C. Any detectable amount of alcohol in their system
• D. A BAC of 0.05 or more

Answer: C. Texas has zero tolerance for minors: driving with any detectable alcohol is “Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor”. Zero tolerance is an additional rule: drivers under 21 can also be prosecuted for DWI if intoxicated, including at a BAC of 0.08 or more or through impairment below that level. Handbook topic: alcohol and drugs.

30. A minor’s test confirms detectable alcohol below 0.08 while driving. For a first offense, the driver license suspension is:

• A. 7 days
• B. 30 days
• C. 60 days
• D. 2 years

Answer: C. The DL-7 (January 2026) and TABC give 60 days for a first offense, and the DL-7 gives 120 for a second and 180 for a third or later. A DUI by a minor also brings a fine of up to $500, community service and an alcohol awareness course. Handbook topic: alcohol and drugs.

31. What is the legal limit of intoxication for drivers 21 and over in Texas?

• A. 0.02
• B. 0.05
• C. 0.08
• D. 0.10

Answer: C. A BAC of 0.08 or more meets the legal definition of intoxication. DWI can also be established by loss of normal mental or physical faculties below that level. Those rules apply to drivers under 21 as well, alongside their stricter any-detectable-alcohol rule. Handbook topic: alcohol and drugs.

32. Which of these can slow your reactions as much as alcohol?

• A. Sunglasses
• B. Chewing gum
• C. Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• D. Bottled water

Answer: C. Many legal medicines cause drowsiness. Read labels and ask a pharmacist before driving. Handbook topic: alcohol and drugs.

33. A 17-year-old Texas driver wants to make a hands-free call while driving. Is this allowed?

• A. Yes, if a parent is in the car
• B. Yes, but only on highways
• C. Yes, hands-free is always allowed
• D. No. Drivers under 18 may not use a wireless device, even hands-free, except in an emergency

Answer: D. Section 545.424 bans all wireless device use by drivers under 18, handheld or hands-free, except in an emergency. The statewide texting ban applies on top. See Texas phone and texting laws. Handbook topic: distracted driving.

Texas learner and provisional license rules (questions 34 to 40)

34. What is the minimum age for a Texas learner license?

• A. 14
• B. 15
• C. 15 and a half
• D. 16

Answer: B. You can get a learner license at 15 after the driver ed classroom phase and the vision, sign and law tests. You may start the classroom part at 14. Handbook topic: your license.

35. Who must sit in the front passenger seat while you drive on a Texas learner license?

• A. A licensed driver of any age
• B. Nobody, if you are on a quiet road
• C. Any passenger aged 18 or older
• D. A licensed driver aged 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience

Answer: D. The supervisor must be at least 21, licensed, with at least a year of experience, and in the front passenger seat. Handbook topic: graduated driver license.

36. How long must a Texas driver under 18 hold a learner (or hardship) license before getting a provisional license?

• A. 30 days
• B. 3 months
• C. 6 months
• D. 12 months

Answer: C. The minimum holding period is six months. See Texas provisional license and GDL rules. Handbook topic: graduated driver license.

37. A 16-year-old with a Texas provisional license is driving alone. How many passengers under 21 who are not family may ride along?

• A. Three
• B. None
• C. One
• D. Two

Answer: C. No more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member. Family members and passengers 21 or older do not count. Handbook topic: graduated driver license.

38. Provisional license holders under 18 may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless:

• A. They are with friends
• B. They have a full tank of gas
• C. The roads are empty
• D. They are going to work, a school-related activity or dealing with a medical emergency

Answer: D. Work, school activities and medical emergencies are the exceptions. The limits also lift when a qualifying supervisor (21+, licensed at least one year) is in the front seat. Handbook topic: graduated driver license.

39. Before the Texas driving test, every applicant must complete an Impact Texas Drivers program within:

• A. 7 days before the test
• B. 30 days before the test
• C. 90 days before the test
• D. 1 year before the test

Answer: C. The free DPS video course (ITTD for teens, ITAD for adults) must be completed within 90 days before the driving test. See ITTD explained. Handbook topic: your license.

40. As part of teen driver education, how many hours of behind-the-wheel practice must be logged?

• A. 20 hours, 5 at night
• B. 30 hours, 10 at night
• C. 40 hours, 6 at night
• D. 50 hours, 10 at night

Answer: B. Teens log 30 hours of practice, at least 10 at night, on top of instruction. Handbook topic: your license.

How to read your score

The official knowledge-exam pass mark is 70%. Our 36-of-40 practice target is a study suggestion, not a DPS requirement or a prediction that you will pass. Below that, go back to the handbook section named under each question you missed.

Score	Next step
36 to 40	Check the explanations for any guesses or mistakes, then consider booking if you can apply the rules consistently.
30 to 35	Reread the sections you missed, then retake this set.
Under 30	Work through the Texas Driver Handbook chapter by chapter first, starting with signs.

Sign questions are the fastest to fix.

Common questions

Are these the real Texas permit test questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions written from Texas law and the topics in the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7).

How many questions are on the Texas permit test, and what is the passing score?

Ask your driver education provider or DPS for both figures, and prepare to know every handbook topic rather than aiming for a minimum.

Can I take the Texas permit test online?

Yes, through a licensed online driver education provider as part of your course. Parent-taught students take the sign and law tests through their course provider and the vision test at DPS.

Is the sign test in English?

Yes. You must understand highway signs written in English. A Spanish version of the test is available, but sign text stays in English.

What if I fail?

One application and fee gives you three tries at each part. After a third fail you submit a new application and fee.

Where can I find the full route to a Texas license?

See learning to drive in Texas, parent-taught driver ed and practice tests for other states.

Sources

• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapters 1 and 10 (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code Chapter 521”, sections 521.161, 521.162 and 521.204 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
• Texas Legislature, Penal Code sections 49.01 and 49.04, and Alcoholic Beverage Code section 106.041 (tcss.legis.texas.gov)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code section 545.424, Operation of Vehicle by Person Under 18 Years of Age” (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7) (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Testing in Other Languages” (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Getting the Learner License” and “Getting a Provisional Driver’s License” (tdlr.texas.gov)
• Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, “Underage Drinking” (tabc.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Transportation, “Underage drinking and driving” (txdot.gov)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Move Over” (nhtsa.gov)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code sections 545.066 and 545.157” (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)

Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Texas, the learner license and the provisional license each cost $15 under the Transportation Code, and the standard license fee in the statute is $32 (as of November 2026). One application fee covers three tries at each test. You book Texas DPS driver license office visits, including road tests, through the DPS online appointment scheduler, which lets you book up to six months ahead. This guide covers the fees, how booking and walk-ins work, retests, taking your test at a driving school, and the costs that sit outside DPS.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• Learner license: $15 (Transportation Code section 521.421(c)).
• Provisional license (under 18): $15 (same section).
• Standard license, when no other fee applies: $32 in the statute (section 521.421(a)). The DL-7 handbook (January 2026) adds a $1 administrative fee to most transactions, so it lists $16 for the learner or under-18 license and $33 for a license at 18 to 84. Check the DPS fee page before you go.
• Retests: the fee entitles you to three attempts at each part of the exam per application. After a third fail, you apply and pay again (section 521.161(d)).
• Booking: the DPS appointment scheduler, up to six months in advance. Offices also hold a limited number of same-day and walk-in slots.
• Driving school road tests: allowed through the DPS Third Party Skills Testing program. Schools set their own price.

How much does a Texas driver’s license cost?

Item	Fee	Notes
Learner license (15 to 17)	$15	Paid when you apply at DPS
Provisional license (16 and 17)	$15	Issued after you pass the driving test under 18
Driver’s license (statutory base fee)	$32	The fee “not otherwise provided for”; check the DPS fee page for the current amount by age
License at 85 or older (DL-7)	$9 with the $1 fee	Valid two years
Hardship license (DL-7)	$6 with the $1 fee	Expires on your next birthday
Replacement, address or name change, or test to add or remove a restriction (DL-7)	$11 with the $1 fee	Expiration date does not change
Veteran with at least 60 percent service-related disability (DL-7)	Free	Not for a CDL or if required to register as a sex offender
Knowledge and driving tests	Included	Three attempts at each part per application
Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) or Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD)	Free	DPS video course; certificate valid 90 days
Parent-taught driver education authorization	$20	Paid to TDLR, plus the cost of the course you buy
Driver education school course	Set by the school	Required for everyone under 25 who is not already licensed
Driving school road test (TPST)	Set by the school	DPS says it does not regulate these fees

For how Texas compares with other states, see driver’s license costs by state.

Sample budget: a 15-year-old using parent-taught driver ed

• Parent-taught authorization: $20
• Learner license: $15
• Provisional license at 16: $15
• ITTD: free
• Driver education course: the provider’s price

DPS fees alone come to $30 at the statutory rates, before the course itself. With the $1 administrative fee on each visit, that is $32. A failed test costs nothing extra until you use up your three attempts.

How to book a Texas DPS appointment

1. Get your paperwork ready first. Driver ed certificate (DE-964 for teens), the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form from school, identity, residency and Social Security documents. See the Texas permit documents checklist.
2. Open the DPS appointment scheduler (DPS names the site public.txdpsscheduler.com). Choose the service: a new learner license, a new license, or a road test.
3. Pick an office and time. DPS says you can book up to six months in advance. Searching several nearby offices can turn up an earlier slot.
4. Arrive on time. DPS has said to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before your slot, and that appointments are canceled if you are more than 30 minutes late.
5. Can’t make it? Cancel so the slot goes to someone else. DPS says you can rebook immediately after canceling.

Same-day appointments and walk-ins

DPS says most offices hold a limited number of same-day appointments, which fill quickly, and that all driver license offices offer a limited number of walk-in slots on a first-come, first-served basis. DPS has also offered Saturday appointments at some offices. Check the scheduler for what your office offers.

General booking tips for any state are in how to book a DMV test appointment and find earlier slots.

Booking the Texas road test

You have two choices:

Option	How to book	Cost
DPS driver license office	Road test appointment through the DPS scheduler	Covered by your application fee (three attempts)
Third Party Skills Testing (TPST) school	Call a DPS-authorized driver education school from the DPS list	The school’s price; DPS does not regulate it

Transportation Code section 521.165 lets DPS authorize driver education providers to give the driving test. For under 18s, the driving test can never be waived, so a school test is the same standard as an office test. Full details: taking your Texas road test at a driving school.

Before you book the road test, check you have

• held your learner license at least six months, if you are under 18;
• an ITTD certificate dated within 90 days of the test (teens), or ITAD or ITTD (18 to 24). A TPST school needs a printed copy;
• your completed driver education, and the 30-hour practice log for teens;
• a car with current registration and insurance.

What you’ll be tested on: Texas road test maneuvers and Texas parallel parking.

Where can you take the knowledge test?

Teens usually take the vision, sign and traffic law tests through their driver education provider, so they skip that step at DPS. Parent-taught providers can give the sign and law tests but not the vision test (section 521.1655). The law requires DPS to offer the test in writing and to provide a Spanish version, with sign text kept in English. See the Texas learner license test guide and the Texas permit practice test.

Retests and failing

• Three attempts at each part per application and fee. A fourth try needs a new application and fee.
• The DL-7 says an application is held for 90 days after a first failed attempt; after 90 days or three fails you need a new application and fee. Ask DPS how soon you can retest. Book your next slot on the scheduler.
• If your ITTD certificate passes 90 days while you retake the road test, you must redo ITTD (free).

Compare other states in retake waiting periods by state.

Common questions

How much is a Texas learner’s permit?

$15, the learner license fee in Transportation Code section 521.421(c), as of November 2026.

Do I pay again if I fail the Texas driving test?

Not for the first three attempts. Your application fee covers three tries at each part. After the third fail, you reapply and pay again.

Can I walk in to a Texas DPS office without an appointment?

Sometimes. DPS keeps a limited number of walk-in and same-day slots, first come, first served. An appointment is far more reliable.

How far ahead can I book?

Up to six months, according to DPS. Popular offices fill early, so book as soon as you know your eligibility date.

Is a driving school road test more expensive?

Usually, because the school charges its own fee. The upside is often an earlier date and testing in a car and area you know.

I just moved to Texas. What do I pay?

You have 90 days to get a Texas license. The tests and fees differ for transfers: see moving to Texas.

Where is the full Texas route?

Start with how to get a driver’s license in Texas.

Sources

• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapter 1, Examinations and Fees, and appendix D (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code Chapter 521, sections 521.161, 521.162, 521.165, 521.1655 and 521.421” (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Driver License Services: Appointments” and appointment wait-times notice (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Section 2: Scheduling a Road Test” (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Third Party Skills Testing” (dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Impact Texas Drivers FAQ” (impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Parent Taught Driver Education” (tdlr.texas.gov)