What is Texas Graduated Driver’s License Program?
Texas Graduated Driver’s License Program (GDL) is a step-by-step program for teenagers to gradually build up their driving experience before getting a full and unrestricted driver’s license.
The Texas Graduated Driver’s License Law aims to cut the number of injuries and fatalities caused by teen drivers on Texas roads.
Graduated Driver’s License Program Saves Lives
Texas introduced the Graduated Driver’s License Program in 2002. Even if crash statistics among young drivers between 16 and 20 years remain high, The Texas Graduated Driver’s License Program saves lives among new drivers and their passengers.
The program is generally accepted and supported by both teenagers and parents. Ensuring that parents and teens fully understand the responsibilities associated with safe driving is the single most effective tool for reducing teen driver crashes, injuries, and deaths.
The different steps in the GDL program help young drivers improve their driving skills over time, and restrictions help minimize risky driving situations.
According to Texas DPS, the laws don’t exist to make the process difficult. Lawmakers have designed the regulations to educate you about the rules of the road and help you practice safe driving habits before being allowed to graduate to the next step.
1 Learner License – Age Requirement
The Learner License (or Learner Permit) is the first step in the GDL program. You can enter this program level when you are 15 years old.
2 Learner License – Driver Education
All applicants under 25 years old must complete a driver education course.
You have these options:
- Enroll in a driver education school
- Enroll in a parent-taught driver education course with an approved parent-taught course provider
- Complete driver education at a public school, education service center, college, or university
The classroom phase of the driver education course is at least 32 hours (which much stretch over at least 16 days). The course must also contain at least 7 hours of behind-the-wheel driving and 7 hours of in-car observation.
Before DPS issues a learner license, you must complete the first six hours of the driver education classroom instruction (concurrent method) or all 32 hours (block method). When applying for your learner license, you must have a certificate of completion (DE-964).
3 Learner License – School Enrollment and Attendance
Texas DPS also wants proof of school enrollment and attendance (VOE form) or a high school diploma before issuing a license to anyone under 18 years old.
- Obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Are a student enrolled in a public, private, or home school and attended school for at least 90% of the time in the fall or spring semester preceding the date of application.
- Are enrolled in a program to prepare you to pass the high school equivalency exam. You must have enrolled for the previous 45 days from applying for your learner license.
- If you are applying during the summer and still enrolled in school, your last report card for the most recent school year is acceptable, provided it has your name, a list of absences, and a complete listing of grades.
4 Learner License – Written Knowledge Test
Before DPS issues a Learner License, you must pass a knowledge test about safe driving rules, Texas traffic laws, and standard road signs and signals.
You can take this test as part of your driver education course. If you pass the test during your class, you don’t have to take any other knowledge test for your learner license.
You can also visit your local DPS office to take the test.
You must prepare well for the knowledge test. Take several practice tests and ensure you fully understand both questions and answers.
At Driver’s Prep, you have more than 1,000 questions to work with! On the actual test, you need 21 correct answers to pass (70%). On a practice test, you should always aim for a full score. It gives you a good margin for the real examination.
5 Learner License – Practice Driving
Once you have your learner license, you may practice driving with a licensed adult who is 21 years or older. When you drive, the supervising adult must sit beside you in the front passenger seat.
Before you can move on to the next phase of the Texas Graduated Driver’s License Program, you must complete:
- 7 hours of behind-the-wheel driving (part of your driver education).
- 7 hours of in-car observation (part of your driver education).
- 30 hours of practice driving (including 10 hours of night driving).
You must hold your learner license for at least six months (unless you turn 18 before that).
If DPS suspends your license during this phase, the six months increase by the number of days of the suspension.
6 Complete the Impact Texas Teen Driver Course
Completing the Impact Texas Teen Driver Course (ITTD) is the last requirement before you take the driving test.
Take this course after you have completed the driver’s education and all driving practice. You must finish the course at most 90 days before the behind-the-wheel test.
ITTD is a video course that explains the dangers of distracted driving and real-life stories of teens who have lost their lives from distracted driving. [ Read more: Texas Teen Drivers Must Complete ITTD Program | TXDPS Impact Texas Teen Driver Course ]
7 The Behind-the-Wheel Test
You can schedule your driving skills test online. If not, visit a driver’s license office in person.
You must bring your learner’s license, proof of driver’s education (under 25 years), Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form, high school diploma or GED (under 18 years), and proof of current liability insurance for your vehicle. Your vehicle must also be registered, have two license plates, and meet certain safety requirements. For a complete list of requirements visit TXDPS.
The examiner will not allow passengers or pets in the car during the driving test.
Is the Texas Driving Skills Test Hard?
Texas has three standalone in-vehicle driving tests: the on-street test, the backing test, and the parallel parking test. If you make a dangerous or illegal maneuver, the examiner immediately stops the test.
The test usually takes about 20 minutes, and you will drive on streets close to the DPS office. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the area before the test.
The examiner will pay special attention to how you approach intersections and stop the vehicle in common traffic conditions. They will ensure that you always check traffic around you and that you can control the vehicle. You must maintain a safe position in your lane and behind other vehicles. Always use your turn signals when changing position. Read more here: How to Prepare for the Texas Driving Test.
You should also ensure you can back in a straight line while looking behind and around you. Practice parallel parking as much as you can. Passing these two objectives is always a good start.
Texas DPS doesn’t show official passing rates, but some data show that more than two-thirds of all first-time test takers pass.
Should you fail the test, you can retake it within 90 days. If you wait over 90 days or fail three times, you must apply and pay the fee again.
8 The Provisional License
The Provisional License is the last phase of the Texas Graduated Driver’s License.
If you are between 16 and 17 years old, Texas DPS issues a driver’s license with certain restrictions:
- Not carry more than one passenger under 21 years who is not a family member
- No driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. (exceptions for work, school-related activities, and medical emergencies).
- No use of wireless communications devices (including a hands-free device.
DPS lifts the restrictions on your driving privileges when you turn 18. They will replace your provisional license with a full driver’s license for drivers under 21. Remember that you must visit your DPS office within 30 days of your 18th birthday to make the change.
If you are under 21 years, the zero-tolerance law applies. Suppose an officer stops you while driving on a public street, and ANY alcohol is in your system. In that case, you have committed a criminal offense (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor).
After you turn 21, DPS issues the regular Texas driver’s license for adults.
Check Your Knowledge of Texas Graduated Driver’s License Program
Results
Nice. You’ve got this!
Some mistakes, there. Make sure you understand the GDL rules if you are under 18 years and want a driver’s license.
#1. If you have a provisional license, you are normally not allowed to drive unsupervised between:
Provisional drivers are subject to a nighttime restriction. They are allowed to drive unsupervised from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. only when driving to work, to attend or participate in a school-related activity, or due to a medical emergency.
#2. A learner license, also known as an instruction permit, allows you to drive unsupervised:
A learner license, also known as an instruction permit, allows a student driver to legally practice driving when accompanied by a licensed driver. The licensed driver must be at least 21 years of age with at least one year of driving experience.
#3. Before you can get a provisional license you must have practised driving for at least:
You must complete 30 hours of practice driving (including 10 hours night driving).
#4. Before you can apply for a provisional license, you must hold a learner license for at least:
You must hold your learner license for at least full six months (unless you turn 18 before that).
#5. What is the minimum age that a person must be to obtain a learner license (instruction permit)?
Eligible age for a learner license, also known as an instruction permit, is 15 years.
#6. When driving with a learner license, also known as an instruction permit, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is:
A learner license, also known as an instruction permit, allows a student driver to legally practice driving when accompanied by a licensed driver. The licensed driver must be at least 21 years of age with at least one year of driving experience.
#7. During the second phase of Texas Graduated Driver License (GDL) program DPS issues:
Phase two restricts the driving privileges of individuals who are less than 18 years of age during the 12-month period following the issuance of an original Class A, B, C or M driver license. This known as a provisional license.
#8. If you have a provisional license, you cannot drive:
Provisional license holders less than 18 years of age may not drive with more than one passenger in the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member
