Texas permit test

Test requirements, handbook sources, and practice for Texas.

Test and permit facts

Read the scope and exceptions alongside each fact. Requirements still awaiting review are omitted; their absence does not mean the agency has no rule.

Fact	Texas	Source
Agency	Texas Department of Public Safety	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Test name	driver knowledge exam	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Test format details	The handbook distinguishes the Class C knowledge exam for original applicants from motorcycle and Class A/B exams. Some approved driver education courses satisfy the Class C knowledge requirement before the office visit; the DPS teen page requires office testing when the classroom course did not include it. These routes do not establish an exact question count, sectional format or time limit.	Official source 1Checked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 13 Official source 2Checked October 27, 2026
Passing percentage	70	Official sourceChecked October 26, 2026 · PDF page 13
Minimum permit age	15	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Permit fee	$16 for a new learner license under age 18; it expires on the holder’s 18th birthday. The listed amount includes the $1 administrative fee.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Permit validity	A teen learner license expires on the holder’s 18th birthday. Keep it for at least six months before progressing, unless turning 18 first; suspension days extend the required six-month period.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Driver’s education	Teen learners complete either the concurrent six-hour classroom stage or the full 24-hour classroom stage.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Retest rules	The handbook retains an application for 90 days after an unsuccessful initial exam attempt; after 90 days or three failed exams, submit a new application and pay again. This covers the knowledge and driving exams; it does not state a minimum interval between knowledge-test attempts.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 13
Test languages	English, Spanish	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Handbook	Texas Driver Handbook	Official sourceChecked October 26, 2026 · PDF page 1
Handbook edition	Revised January 2026	Official sourceChecked October 26, 2026 · PDF page 1
Documents to bring	For a teen learner license, bring the completed application and evidence of identity, Texas residency, and US citizenship or lawful presence; supply your Social Security number for electronic verification. Bring the classroom-completion certificate (DE-964/DEE-964 or public-school DE-964E), knowledge-exam results if already passed, and a diploma, GED or VOE. Arrange a parent/guardian’s attendance, their notarized application signature, or evidence allowing authorization to be waived. Applicants who have not passed the knowledge exam during driver education take it at the office. VOE attendance and summer-expiry differences are recorded under the teen requirements.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Agency offices and appointments	Book a DPS driver license appointment for an in-office application. Most offices release a limited number of extra appointments online during the day. If no slot appears locally, check another office or later cancellations. Arriving without an appointment only lets you use an office kiosk to look for an available appointment; service that day is not assured.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026

Official sources differ: Requirements for applicants under 18

The registered January 2026 handbook states 80 school-attendance days and a 30-day school-year/90-day summer VOE limit. The live DPS teen page states 90% previous-semester attendance and 30 days or 90 days for June–August issuance. The DPS-linked VOE form permits attendance, course-credit or school-plan routes and gives a different summer extension: issuance in the school year’s last five days lasts until the next school year. The formulations are not treated as equivalent, and neither attendance eligibility nor summer expiry is silently resolved.

For a teen learner license, finish the initial six classroom hours in the concurrent route or all 24 classroom hours in the block route, and pass the knowledge exam during the course or at DPS. Provide the application, identity, residency, citizenship or lawful-presence evidence, Social Security information, education certificate and school evidence; arrange parental authorization, pay the fee and pass vision screening. The handbook accepts a diploma or equivalent, enrollment with at least 80 school days in the previous fall or spring semester, or current enrollment after at least 45 days in an equivalency-exam preparation program. Its VOE timing is 30 days during the school year or 90 days during summer. The linked DPS page and VOE form give different attendance and summer-validity rules; those differences remain unresolved.
Official source 1Checked October 27, 2026PDF page 8
Teen applicants ages 15–17 need a classroom-completion certificate for the six-hour concurrent or 24-hour block education route, and proof of passing the knowledge exam; otherwise take that exam at DPS. Provide a diploma, GED or school VOE. A VOE requires 90% attendance in the prior semester and a school signature; it lasts 30 days, or 90 days when issued June–August. If a VOE is unavailable, summer applicants who remain enrolled may use their last report card showing their name, attendance and grades; another option is proof of 45 days of active enrollment in an equivalency-exam preparation program. Bring a parent or guardian, a notarized application they signed, or evidence allowing parental authorization to be waived, such as emancipation. Supply the required application, citizenship or lawful-presence, residency, identity and Social Security information; pay the fee and pass the vision exam.
Official source 2Checked October 27, 2026
For school applicants without a diploma or equivalent, the VOE form allows current enrollment plus 90% attendance in each class, credit in every previous-semester course, or compliance with a school-approved VOE plan. GED applicants need current enrollment for at least 45 calendar days and the program’s attendance requirement; an institution of higher education can certify its enrollment and attendance conditions. During a school year the form expires after 30 days; a form issued within that school year’s last five days lasts until the next school year begins.
Official source 3Checked October 27, 2026PDF page 1

Confirm the applicable rule with the agency before relying on either statement.

Start with the handbook

Texas Driver Handbook

Official sourceChecked October 26, 2026 · PDF page 1

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