What to bring to the Texas DPS permit test

For the learner's permit and knowledge test

• Completed application DL-14B (under 18) signed by parent/guardian, or a parent/guardian present
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence
• Proof of Texas residency
• Proof of identity
• Social Security number (verified electronically)
• Texas Driver Education Certificate showing classroom completion (DE-964/DEE-964 or DE-964E)
• Evidence of passing the knowledge exam if taken in driver education
• High school diploma/GED or VOE form
• Fee; vision exam, thumbprints and photo at the office

Fees

• Learner license (under 18): $16 ($15 + $1 administrative fee)
• Hardship license (age 15): $6 ($5 + $1)

The vision test

Without corrective lenses, 20/40 or better in each eye and both together means no restriction. With corrective lenses, 20/50 or better in the best eye or both together means a corrective-lenses restriction. 20/60 or 20/70 in the best eye means corrective lenses plus daytime-only driving, a 45 mph limit and other restrictions as advisable. Worse than 20/70 in the best eye fails. One eye: 20/25 or better without lenses means no restriction. Color vision is checked on all original applicants.

Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them to see clearly.

For the road test

• Texas learner license or license with B restriction (or one identity document if lost)
• Driving test fee or payment receipt (payment good for 90 days)
• Impact Texas Drivers (ITTD/ITAD) completion certificate (valid 90 days)
• Under 25: driver education certificate (DE-964/DEE-964, DE-964E, or adult ADE-1317/ADEE-1317)
• Proof of current liability insurance for the test vehicle (applicant not an excluded driver)
• Vehicle with current registration sticker, two plates, working horn, speedometer, turn signals, brake lights, seat belts, at least one rearview mirror, and doors that open normally

What happens on the road test

After you pass: your permit

• Hold it for at least 6 months (learner and/or hardship license) before a provisional license; extended by the number of days of any suspension before the road test.
• Log 30 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night.
• Must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience, in the front passenger seat, who is not intoxicated, asleep, or otherwise unable to observe and respond
• No wireless communication device use, including hands-free, except in an emergency (all drivers under 18)
• The learner license expires on the 18th birthday
• You must have completed the classroom portion of driver education (concurrent method: first 6 hours; block method: all 24 hours), the vision exam and the knowledge exam
• Under 18: a high school diploma or GED, or a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form. The VOE is valid 30 days (90 days if issued June-August). DPS asks for at least 90% attendance in the past semester. Check with DPS before you go.
• Behind-the-wheel driver education before the provisional license: 7 hours in-car observation, 7 hours in-car instruction, and 30 hours of supervised practice including at least 10 at night
• Applicants 18 and older who want to practice are issued a Class C license with the same restrictions as a learner license (restriction code B)

Before you go

Take a practice test or two the day before, and the exam simulator to check you can pass in the real format. Bring originals, not photocopies, unless the DPS says copies are accepted.