The Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) course is a safety program required by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for many adults preparing to take the Texas driving test. The course focuses on distracted driving awareness and highlights the real-world consequences of unsafe driving behavior.
Before completing the driving test, eligible applicants must finish the course and present the completion certificate during the skills exam. The program is designed to improve driver awareness and reduce distracted driving crashes across Texas.
What the Impact Texas Adult Drivers Course Is
The Impact Texas Adult Drivers course is an online educational program created to help reduce distracted driving incidents in Texas. The course includes real crash stories, safety messages, and video segments designed to highlight the dangers of texting, phone use, and other distractions while driving.
Who Must Take the Impact Texas Adult Drivers Course
Many adults applying for a Texas driver license must complete the Impact Texas Adult Drivers course before taking the driving test.
This requirement commonly applies to:
Adults age 18 or older applying for their first Texas driver license
Applicants preparing to take the DPS driving test
Drivers who completed a Texas adult driver education program
Licensing requirements can vary depending on the applicant’s situation. The Texas Department of Public Safety provides full details through the Texas DPS driver license program.
When the Course Must Be Completed
The Impact Texas Adult Drivers certificate is only valid for a limited period of time.
After completing the course, the certificate remains valid for 90 days. This means drivers must take the course shortly before their scheduled driving test. If the certificate expires before the test appointment, the course must be taken again.
This requirement ensures that drivers receive distracted driving safety information immediately before they begin driving independently.
How the Course Fits Into the Texas Licensing Process
The Impact Texas Adult Drivers course is one of the final steps before completing the Texas driving test.
Adult applicants typically complete the following steps:
Complete a Texas adult driver education course if required
Finish the Impact Texas Adult Drivers safety course
Texas uses two different Impact safety courses depending on the driver’s age and licensing situation.
Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) applies to drivers under age 18 who have completed a teen driver education program and are preparing for their driving test.
Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) applies to many adults age 18 or older who are preparing to take the Texas driving test.
Both courses focus on distracted driving awareness and must be completed shortly before the driving test because the completion certificate is only valid for 90 days.
What Should Adults Know About Texas Driver Education Requirements?
Texas requires adults aged 18-24 to complete a six-hour state-approved adult driver education course and pass the final exam before applying for a driver’s license. This course covers essential knowledge for safe driving and prepares students for the DPS written test. Adults 25 and older, while not required to take the course, can also enroll to take the DPS written exam at home. They then present their course completion certificate at the DPS office before taking the driving skills test.
Both age groups (18-24 and 25+) must complete the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) program, a short online video focusing on safe driving practices, prior to the driving test. Once the adult driver education course and ITAD program are completed, adults can schedule their written and driving exams at the DPS to earn their Texas driver’s license.
What is Texas Adult Driver’s Ed?
Texas Adult Driver’s Education is a 6-hour state-approved course required for individuals ages 18–24. It covers traffic laws, road safety, and prepares you for the written knowledge test.
What Are the Requirements for Texas Adult Driver Education?
1 – Enroll in Our TDLR-Approved Adult Driving Course
Start by enrolling in Virtual Drive’s TDLR-approved Adult Driver’s Ed (approval #C2636). You can start driver training immediately and even complete the course in a day!
2 – Complete Six Hours of Online Adult Driver’s Ed (Ages: 18-24 Required – 25+ Optional)
For ages 18-24, Texas law requires six hours of online driver’s ed. Lessons are short and flexible, allowing you to log in and out as needed. (Adults over 25 are not required to take a driving course. Many choose to in order to prepare for the written test and to be able to take the test online instead of at the DPS.)
3 – Pass the DPS Written Test Online
The final exam in our course is the DPS written test, which you can take from home. With a 90.4% first-time pass rate, most students succeed on their first try. If needed, you can review and retake the test.
4 – Print Your ADE-1317 Certificate
After completing the course and passing the test, you will immediately receive a downloadable ADE-1317 certificate. This can be printed and brought to the DPS when applying for your permit or license.
5 – Complete the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) Program (required for all adults regardless of age)
Texas requires all first-time drivers over the age of 18 to complete the free ITAD course. This video must be completed before taking the final road test.
6 – Apply for Your Texas Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License
After completing the course, apply for your permit or license at the DPS. You’ll need to pass the road test with a Texas State Trooper to earn your license. If you need practice, you can obtain a learner’s permit to drive with a licensed adult (21+) until you’re ready.
How does adult driver’s education work?
Texas Adult Driver Education Made Easy
Texas adult driver education requirements are straightforward. Adults aged 18-24 must complete an adult driver education course. For those over 25, taking the course allows them to complete the final written exam at home. The full program involves:
Completing a six-hour adult driver education course and passing the final exam
Presenting the course certificate and all required documents at the DPS office
Scheduling and passing a driving test at the DPS office
This is the fastest, most convenient way to get your Texas driver’s license if you’re 18 or older.
What is the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) course and who must take it?
The Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) course is a one-hour video program required by the Texas Department of Public Safety for drivers age 18–24 before taking the driving test. It focuses on the dangers of distracted driving and must be completed after finishing an adult driver education course.Learn when adults must take this course inWhat Is the Impact Texas Drivers Course?
