--- title: What Is the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) Course? url: "https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/what-is-the-impact-texas-adult-drivers-course/" updated: "2026-08-04" category: Driving Tests and Licensing --- # What Is the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) Course? # What Is the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) Course? - Virtual Drive News - March 9, 2026 - Author: Kevin Knapp ![](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Vdrive-car-Top-1080x1080.webp) [Back to VDrive News](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/) Table of contents - [What the Impact Texas Adult Drivers Course Is](#what-the-impact-texas-adult-drivers-course-is) - [Who Must Take the Impact Texas Adult Drivers Course](#who-must-take-the-impact-texas-adult-drivers-course) - [When the Course Must Be Completed](#when-the-course-must-be-completed) - [How the Course Fits Into the Texas Licensing Process](#how-the-course-fits-into-the-texas-licensing-process) - [Impact Texas Courses for Different Drivers](#impact-texas-courses-for-different-drivers) - [Start Your Texas Driver’s Ed Course](#start-your-texas-drivers-ed-course) - [more insights](#more-insights) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) ### TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents - [TABLE OF CONTENTS](#-table-of-contents-) - [What the Impact Texas Adult Drivers Course Is](#what-the-impact-texas-adult-drivers-course-is) - [Who Must Take the Impact Texas Adult Drivers Course](#who-must-take-the-impact-texas-adult-drivers-course) - [When the Course Must Be Completed](#when-the-course-must-be-completed) - [How the Course Fits Into the Texas Licensing Process](#how-the-course-fits-into-the-texas-licensing-process) - [Impact Texas Courses for Different Drivers](#impact-texas-courses-for-different-drivers) - [Start Your Texas Driver’s Ed Course](#start-your-texas-drivers-ed-course) - [more insights](#more-insights) - [Adult Drivers](#adult-drivers) - [Defensive Driving](#defensive-driving) - [Texas Driver Education](#texas-driver-education) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) - [Adult Driver’s Ed Basics](#adult-drivers-ed-basics) ![Infographic explaining the Impact Texas Adult Drivers course required for many adults before taking the Texas driving test](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/impact-texas-adult-drivers-itad-course.webp) 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. The ITAD course is part of the official [Impact Texas Drivers program](https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/impact-texas-drivers-itd-program), and it is completed near the end of the adult licensing process. ## 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. The program is administered through DPS and provides the official completion certificate used during the driver licensing process. ## 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 an adult driver education program Licensing requirements can vary depending on the applicant’s situation, so DPS remains the official source for driver license requirements and testing rules through its [Texas driver license program](https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license). If you still need to complete the required driver education step before ITAD, you can begin with the [approved online course option](/texas-adult-drivers-ed/) and then move forward with the remaining licensing steps. ## 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 should 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 helps ensure that drivers receive distracted driving safety information shortly 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 driver education if required - Finish the Impact Texas Adult Drivers safety course - Schedule the Texas driving test - Bring the ITAD certificate to the driving exam If you want to understand the full process after completing ITAD, including scheduling and preparing for your driving test, see the [adult driver education requirements, steps, and timeline](/license-news/texas-adult-drivers-ed-guide/). For students who have not completed the driver education requirement yet, the licensing process starts with the [online course pathway](/texas-adult-drivers-ed/) before moving into ITAD and the driving test. ## Impact Texas Courses for Different Drivers 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. If you’re helping a teen driver, see our guide on [the Impact Texas Teen Drivers course](/license-news/what-is-the-impact-texas-teen-drivers-course/). ## Start Your Texas Driver’s Ed Course If you are still at the driver education stage, completing that requirement first helps you move forward toward ITAD, scheduling, and the driving test. 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Texas adult driver’s ed is a state-approved 6-hour course required for drivers ages 18–24 that covers traffic laws, road safety, and the written test. [Learn more about Texas adult driver’s ed requirements, steps, and timeline.](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/texas-adult-drivers-ed-guide)  - Who Is Required to Take Adult Driver’s Ed in Texas? Drivers ages 18–24 are required to complete adult driver’s ed, while those 25 and older are not required but may still benefit. [**Learn more about who is required to take adult driver’s ed in Texas.**](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/who-is-required-to-take-adult-drivers-ed-in-texas)**** - How does adult driver’s education work in Texas? Adult driver’s ed in Texas is typically completed online and includes traffic laws, safe driving techniques, and a final written test. Once finished, you’ll receive a certificate of completion required for licensing. **Learn more about**[**how adult driver’s ed works in Texas**](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/texas-adult-drivers-ed-requirements-steps-and-timeline/)**.** - 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 more about what the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) course is.**](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/what-is-the-impact-texas-adult-drivers-course)  - What Are the Steps to Get a Driver’s License as an Adult in Texas? Adults typically complete driver’s ed if required, take the ITAD course, gather required documents, schedule a driving test, and pass the exam. [**Learn more in our guide on Texas adult driver’s ed requirements, steps, and timeline.**](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/texas-adult-drivers-ed-requirements-steps-and-timeline/)**** - How Long Does It Take to Get a License in Texas as an Adult? Most adults can complete the process in a few days to a few weeks depending on course completion, ITAD timing, and DPS appointment availability. Learn more about the full breakdown in our guide on [**how long it takes to get a Texas driver’s license.**](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/texas-adult-drivers-ed-requirements-steps-and-timeline/)  - What Happens After I Finish Adult Driver’s Ed? After finishing the course, you’ll receive your certificate of completion, complete the ITAD course if required, and move on to scheduling and passing your driving test. Learn more about the full process in our guide on [**Texas adult driver’s ed requirements, steps, and timeline**](https://virtualdriveoftexas.com/license-news/texas-adult-drivers-ed-requirements-steps-and-timeline/)**.**