TLDR To get a Texas teen driver license in 2026, a 16-year-old must hold a learner permit for 6 months, complete DE-964 driver education (24 classroom hours plus 14 behind-the-wheel), the free 2-hour ITTD video, 30 hours of logged practice driving, and bring a VOE form to the DPS. The learner license costs $16 and the provisional license costs $16.
Verified against Texas DPS licensing guidance and the Texas Driver Handbook (Form DL-7), updated August 2026.
The Short Answer: What a Texas Teen Needs in 2026
Texas uses a Graduated Driver License (GDL) system for drivers under 18. A teen gets a learner license at 15, holds it for at least
6 months, and then takes the road test at 16 or older for a provisional license. Before the road test the teen must finish a state-approved driver education course that issues a
DE-964 certificate, complete the free
Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) video, and log
30 hours of supervised practice driving, including
10 hours at night. Anyone under 18 who is still in school also needs a
Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form from the school registrar.
| Requirement | Details | Cost |
|---|
| Learner license | Age 15+, held at least 6 months before the road test | $16 |
| DE-964 driver education | 24 hours classroom plus 14 hours behind-the-wheel (7 instruction + 7 observation) | Varies by provider |
| ITTD course | Free 2-hour DPS distracted-driving video, done within 90 days of the road test | Free |
| Practice driving log | 30 hours supervised with a licensed adult 21+, including 10 at night | No fee |
| VOE form | Verification of Enrollment and Attendance, signed by the school registrar | No fee |
| Provisional license | Issued after passing the road test at 16+ | $16 |
Step-by-Step: From Learner Permit to Provisional License
- Enroll in driver education: Complete a state-approved teen driver ed course (instructor-taught or parent-taught). After the first 6 classroom hours you can get a DE-964 6-Hour Permit Certificate to apply for the learner license.
- Apply for the learner license: At age 15, bring the DE-964 permit certificate, a completed minor application (Form DL-14B), proof of identity, Social Security number, two proofs of Texas residency, and a parent or legal guardian to a DPS office. The fee is $16.
- Hold the permit for 6 months and complete the DE-964 course. A licensed adult 21 or older must ride in the front seat, no wireless device use is allowed, and everyone must wear a seat belt.
- Log 30 hours of practice: Keep a signed practice-driving log with at least 10 hours at night, on top of the 14 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
- Take the free ITTD course: Complete the 2-hour Impact Texas Teen Drivers video at impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov within 90 days of your road test and print the certificate - it is the document teens most often forget and the DPS will turn you away without it.
- Get your VOE form: If you are under 18 and still in school, have the school registrar sign the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance. It is valid 30 days during the school year and 90 days if issued June through August.
- Pass the road test: Bring your DE-964 full completion certificate, ITTD certificate, VOE or diploma/GED, signed 30-hour log, learner permit, parent or guardian, and an insured, registered vehicle that passes inspection. Book your appointment at public.txdpsscheduler.com.
What Documents Do You Bring to the DPS?
| Document | Why It Is Needed |
|---|
| Valid Texas learner permit | Proof you held the permit for 6+ months |
| DE-964 Full Completion Certificate | Proof of driver education; print in color if the background is green |
| ITTD certificate | Completed within 90 days of the road test |
| VOE form, diploma, or GED | Proves school enrollment/attendance or completion |
| Signed 30-hour practice log | Proof of supervised practice, including 10 night hours |
| Proof of identity | U.S. birth certificate or passport |
| Social Security number | For identity verification |
| Two proofs of Texas residency | Two different sources, dated within 180 days |
| Parent or legal guardian | Must be present with valid ID to sign |
Provisional License Restrictions Until Age 18
Once the teen passes the road test, the provisional license carries rules that stay in place until age 18:
- No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless driving for work, school, or a medical emergency
- Only one passenger under 21 who is not an immediate family member
- No cell phone use of any kind, including hands-free
Violations can delay a teen's ability to move up to an unrestricted license.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Texas teen driver license requirements in 2026?
Teens must be at least 16, hold a learner permit for 6 months, complete DE-964 driver education (24 classroom hours plus 14 behind-the-wheel), finish the free 2-hour ITTD course within 90 days of the road test, log 30 hours of practice (10 at night), and bring a VOE form, DE-964 certificate, and ITTD certificate to the DPS.
How much does a Texas teen driver license cost?
The learner license costs $16 and the provisional license costs $16. Driver education and the road test vehicle are separate costs. The ITTD course is free.
What is the ITTD course in Texas?
ITTD stands for Impact Texas Teen Drivers, a free 2-hour DPS video course on distracted driving. It must be completed within 90 days of the road test, and the printed certificate must be brought to the appointment.
How many practice hours do Texas teens need?
30 hours of supervised practice driving with a licensed adult 21 or older, including at least 10 hours at night. These are in addition to the 14 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in the DE-964 course.
What is a VOE form for a Texas driver license?
VOE stands for Verification of Enrollment and Attendance. Teens under 18 who are still in school must have the registrar sign it to prove they are attending school. It is valid 30 days during the school year and 90 days if issued June through August.
Get Your Teen Ready for the Road
Before test day, make sure the DE-964 course, the ITTD certificate, and the 30-hour log are all in order. A TDLR-approved defensive driving course from
onlinetxdefensivedrivingcourse.com is a great way for new drivers to sharpen safe-driving habits while they wait out the 6-month permit period.
Start a course at OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com.
Citations
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/InternetForms/Forms/DL-7.pdf
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/forms/DL-14B.pdf
- https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov/
- https://txapps.texas.gov/apps/dps/txldr/html/faq.html
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/driver/safety/students/taking-a-course.htm
