Texas learner’s permit requirements
Everything here comes from Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Texas doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.
Last checked September 22, 2026.
At a glance
- Minimum age
- 15 years
- Fees
- $16 total
- Supervised driving
- 30 hours (10 at night)
- Where you take the test
- In person
The knowledge test and your permit
- Time limit
- None published
- Permit and test fees
- $16 totalUnder 18 the learner license costs $16 ($15 + $1 administrative fee), paid before any exams; applicants 18 and older are issued a Class C license instead, at $33 ($32 + $1).Sources 123
- Minimum age for a permit
- 15 yearsLearner license at 15 after completing the classroom portion of driver education plus vision and knowledge exams; applicants 18+ receive a Class C license with learner restrictions.Sources 134
- If you fail
- If you do not pass on the first attempt the application is held for 90 daysafter 90 days or three failed exams a new application and fee are required.Sources 123
- Vision standard
- Without glasses or contacts: 20/40 or better in each eye and both together means no restrictionworse than 20/40 is referred to a specialist. With corrective lenses: 20/50 or better (best eye or both together) means a corrective-lens restriction; 20/60 or 20/70 means corrective lenses, daytime only and a 45 mph limit. Worse than 20/70 with the best eye or both together, with no further improvement possible, fails; worse than 20/200 is considered blind (37 TAC §15.51).Sources 134
From permit to full license
- Phase One: learner license at 15 (classroom driver ed, vision + knowledge exam), drive only with a licensed driver 21+ with 1+ year experience in the front seat, no cell phone use; hold at least six months.
- Driver education also requires 7 h in-car observation, 7 h in-car instruction and 30 h supervised practice incl. 10 at night.
- Phase Two: provisional license at 16-17 after driving exam and Impact Texas Teen Drivers course; no more than one non-family passenger under 21, no driving midnight-5 a.m. except work/school/medical emergency, no wireless devices; restrictions end at 18.
Before you go
Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division website: dps.texas.gov.