Texas Provisional License: Requirements, Rules & Cost
A provisional license in Texas is the driver license the state issues to 16- and 17-year-olds. It lets your teen drive alone, with three safety restrictions that stay in place until age 18. To earn one, a teen must be at least 16, hold a learner license for six months, finish driver education, complete the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) program and pass the driving test, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Those steps exist for a good reason. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16- and 17-year-olds is about three times the rate for drivers 20 and older. IIHS also finds that graduated licensing, the step-by-step system Texas uses, lowers that risk.
So treat this stage as a plan, not a worry. Below you’ll find exactly what your teen needs, what to bring to DPS, what the rules are, and what changes at 18.
Key Takeaways
A Texas provisional license is Phase Two of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program, for drivers ages 16 and 17.
Your teen must be at least 16 and must have held a learner license for at least six months before the driving test.
Driver education means 24 classroom hours, 7 hours driving with an instructor, 7 hours of in-car observation, and 30 hours of practice, including 10 at night.
Three restrictions apply: no driving from midnight to 5 a.m., no more than one non-family passenger under 21, and no cell phone use, even hands-free.
The restrictions last until your teen turns 18, not just for the first year.
The DPS fee is $16 for applicants under 18, and the license expires on the 18th birthday.
What Is a Provisional License in Texas?
Texas licenses teens in two phases under the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. Phase One is the Texas learner license, which lets a teen practice with a licensed adult in the front seat. Phase Two is the provisional license, which lets a teen drive independently with some limits.
A provisional license is a real Class C driver license. It is not a permit. Your teen can drive to school, work and practice alone, as long as the Phase Two rules are followed.
Provisional License vs. Learner License
Parents often ask whether these are the same thing. They are not. Here is the difference at a glance.
| Learner License (Phase One) | Provisional License (Phase Two) |
Minimum age | 15 | 16 |
Who must be in the car | A licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat, every trip | No one. Your teen can drive alone |
Late-night driving | Allowed only with the supervising adult | Not allowed from midnight to 5 a.m., with limited exceptions |
Cell phone use | Not allowed, including hands-free | Not allowed, including hands-free |
How you earn it | Start driver education and pass the knowledge test | Hold the learner license six months, finish driver education and pass the driving test |
DPS fee (under 18) | $16 | $16 |
Expires | On the 18th birthday | On the 18th birthday |
Texas Provisional License Requirements
DPS lists five requirements. Your teen has to meet all of them before the license is issued.
Age and the Six-Month Rule
Your teen must be 16 or 17 years old and must have held a learner license for at least six months. Both conditions apply. A teen who gets a learner license at 15 and a half still waits until 16. A teen who gets one at 16 still waits six months.
Driver Education Hours
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) sets the course requirements. For teens, that means:
24 hours of classroom instruction. This was reduced from 32 hours in December 2024, so older guides are out of date.
7 hours of behind-the-wheel driving with an instructor.
7 hours of in-car observation.
30 hours of supervised practice, with at least 10 hours at night, alongside a licensed driver 21 or older.
Keep a careful record of those practice hours. Our guide to the 30-hour driving log in Texas shows how to fill it out correctly. If you would rather have certified instructors handle the classroom and in-car hours, SafeWay’s teen driver training covers both.
Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD)
ITTD is a free, two-hour video program from DPS about distracted driving. Your teen completes it after the behind-the-wheel hours and before the driving test. The certificate is valid for 90 days, so don’t finish it too early. Our Impact Texas Drivers guide walks through the timing.
The Driving Test
Your teen can take the driving test at a DPS driver license office or at a driver education school authorized under the DPS Third-Party Skills Testing (TPST) program.
At DPS: schedule online and choose “Class C” under Road Skills Test. Bring proof of current registration and insurance for the vehicle your teen will test in.
At an authorized school: the results go to DPS in a sealed envelope. If the school uses the TPST Submission Portal, the packet is sent online, and you may be able to finish and pay through the Texas by Texas website without an office visit.
Many families prefer to test with instructors their teen already knows. Ask your location about SafeWay’s teen road test options.
What to Bring to DPS for a Provisional License
Book a driver license office appointment first. A parent or legal guardian should come along, or you can bring the application signed by a parent and notarized. Then gather these items:
The completed driver license application. Applicants under 18 use Form DL-14B.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, proof of identity, and your teen’s Social Security number.
The Texas Driver Education Certificate, known as the DE-964 certificate. Public school courses issue a DE-964E.
A Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form, or a high school diploma or GED, if it was not shown at the learner license stage. TDLR notes that a VOE is valid for 30 days, or 90 days when issued from June through August, so get it close to your visit.
An unexpired ITTD certificate.
Driving test results, if your teen tested at a school.
The application fee. DPS charges $16 for applicants under 18.
At the office, your teen will pass a vision exam, give a signature and thumbprints, and take a photo. DPS issues a temporary permit the same day. Check it for mistakes before you leave. The card arrives by mail in about two to three weeks.
Texas Provisional License Rules and Restrictions
A provisional license comes with three restrictions. Each one targets a known risk for new drivers.
The Midnight to 5 a.m. Curfew
Your teen may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. The exceptions are driving needed for work, a school-related activity, or a medical emergency.
The One-Passenger Limit
Your teen may not carry more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member. Brothers and sisters do not count toward the limit. For more detail, see our post on passenger rules for young Texas drivers.
No Phones, Even Hands-Free
All cell phone use is prohibited for drivers under 18, including hands-free devices. The only exception is an emergency.
How Long the Restrictions Last
This is where many guides get it wrong. You may read that the rules end after 12 months. Under the current Texas Transportation Code, Section 545.424, the curfew, passenger and phone rules apply to any driver under 18. A teen licensed at 16 follows them for two years, until the 18th birthday.
One more rule to talk through at home: Texas has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21. DPS states that any detectable amount of alcohol while driving is a criminal offense for a minor.
From a Provisional License to a Full License at 18
The Phase Two restrictions end when your teen turns 18. The provisional license also expires on the 18th birthday, so it has to be renewed.
DPS allows a provisional license holder to renew online once they are within 30 days of turning 18, as long as the other online renewal conditions are met. A teen who renews in person before turning 18 still needs a parent or legal guardian there.
Conclusion
A Texas provisional license is a big step, and a manageable one. Hold the learner license for six months, finish driver education, log the 30 practice hours, complete ITTD and pass the driving test. Then follow three simple rules until 18.
The teens who do best in this stage are the ones who practiced on real roads with patient coaching. That is exactly what good training is for.
FAQ
How do I go from a provisional to a full license in Texas?
You renew the provisional license when you turn 18. The restrictions end on the 18th birthday, and the provisional license expires the same day. DPS lets provisional license holders renew online within 30 days of turning 18 if they meet the other online renewal conditions.
How much does a provisional license cost in Texas?
The DPS application fee is $16 for applicants under 18. That does not include driver education or any fee a school charges for the driving test. Since the learner license is also $16, most families pay DPS $32 across both phases.
Can I drive alone with a provisional license in Texas?
Yes. A provisional license lets a 16- or 17-year-old drive without a supervising adult. Your teen still has to follow the midnight to 5 a.m. curfew, the one-passenger limit and the phone ban.
Is a provisional license the same as a learner’s permit?
No. A learner license requires a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat on every trip. A provisional license is the next phase and allows independent driving with restrictions.
Can a 16-year-old drive with siblings in Texas?
Yes. The passenger limit covers passengers under 21 who are not family members, so siblings are allowed. Only one non-family passenger under 21 may ride along. Teens who need to drive before 16 for a family hardship follow a different path, which we cover in our Texas hardship license guide.
Ready to get your teen licensed the right way? SafeWay Driving’s certified instructors guide Texas families through every step, from the learner license to the driving test. Explore teen drivers ed, find a SafeWay Driving location near you, or contact us at 844-DRIVE-SAFE and we’ll map out a plan together.