When can I apply for my Learner’s Permit?
What do I need to bring with me to get my Learner’s Permit?
Is it necessary for me to get a learners permit?
What is the process for completing my Behind the Wheel Hours?
When can I apply for my Learner’s Permit?
To apply for your learner’s permit, you must:
- ● Be at least 15 years old
- ● Have completed the first 6 hours of your drivers ed course
- ● Have passed the DPS Written Exam included in your course - once you pass this, you’ll earn a 6-Hour Permit Qualification Certificate (DE-946)
What do I need to bring with me to get my Learner’s Permit?
Here’s a handy checklist of everything you’ll need to bring with you when you go to get your permit at the DPS. You can download this in a PDF form here.
- ● Your mandatory Parent Taught Drivers Ed Program Guide from the TDLR. Be sure to bring:
- ○ A printed copy of the PTDE Program Guide Receipt Page - it’s just the front page of your Program Guide from the TDLR. Texas Residency Affidavit.
- ○ Lost a form? Download a copy of your packet here.
- ● Your 6-hour Permit Qualification Certificate (DE-964)
- ● A Verification of Enrollment Form
- ● Proof of Student’s Identity & Lawful Presence. For this, you can either provide:
- ○ Texas ID, US Passport, or US Citizenship Certificate or
- ○ Original Birth Certificate, and your original social security card, and one of the following items: Report Card, Photo ID Card, Immunization Records, Medicare/Medicaid Card
- ● Your Social Security Card - copies are not accepted
- ● Proof of Texas Residency - this will be confirmed by your parent or legal guardian at the DPS. They will need to bring two of the following: Mortgage Statement, Utility Bills, Bank/Card Statements, Deed, Report Card, W-2, or Auto Insurance.
- ● $16 Learner License Application Fee
- ● The parent instructor that you registered online through the TDLR.
At the DPS, you will fill out an Application for Driver License, or Identification card (DL-14A).
Is it necessary for me to get a learners permit?
If you are completing Texas Parent Taught Drivers Ed, you must get a permit before you begin your Behind The Wheel hours.
I got my permit! What’s next?
After you get your permit, you can begin your Behind the Wheel Hours, as well as complete the remaining 26 hours of I Drive Safely coursework.
You must hold your permit for 6 months, and you cannot get your license before your 16th birthday.
What is the process for completing my Behind the Wheel Hours?
You can get started on the 44 required behind-the-wheel hours once you’ve received your permit at the DPS.
You must complete 14 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with your official parent instructor (the student will observe the parent instructor for 7 of the hours, while the parent instructor will observe the student for the other seven hours). The hours must be logged in the In-Car Observation & Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log linked below.
You must also do 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with any licensed adult 21 years old or older (10 of these hours must be done at night). These hours must be logged in the Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log, which can also be found in the attachment link below.
Click the TexasDriveLogs document link to download both logs.
