What Are the Steps to Getting a Driver’s License in Texas?

In case you missed it…

We covered the steps to getting your learner’s permit in Texas last week. This week we want to follow up with the final steps: The steps to getting a driver’s license in Texas.

Once the permit has been received, driver’s education gets a little more understandable and fun! This is because the student finally gets to practice driving a real car and the parent has begun to understand the process a little better.

How long does the student need to practice with their learner’s permit?

Legally, students must practice with a learner’s permit for at least 6 months. Here at Virtual Drive we suggest for students to get their permit early. The best time would be right when they turn 15. Why? Because this gives them a full year of practice before getting the driver’s license. What parent doesn’t want their child to have double the practice time before sending them out on their own?

How many hours of course work is there after completing the learner’s permit?

The driver’s license portion of the online driver’s education course is 26 hours of online training plus 44 hours of behind the wheel hours with the parent teacher. That many hours of behind the wheel hours does seem like a lot at first. However, it is actually very easy to accomplish when considering how much the teen will be behind the wheel during their 6-12 months of practice.

Students are also required to take the Texas Department of Public Safety Impact Texas Young Drivers course within 90 days of completing their TX parent taught driver’s ed course. This must be completed before the road test can be administered. This course will be an extra 2 hours of online learning. (It is free.)

What forms do I need to take to the DPS to get my driver’s license?

  • DE964 Form for the Driver’s License (The student will receive this upon completion of the course and by passing the final written assessment)
  • 2nd Progress Report
  • Verification of Enrollment for school
  • DL90 B
  • In-Car Progress Report
  • Completion form from the Impact Texas course

By using Virtual Drive of Texas course, we will give you a full checklist and walk you though each step so you know you are prepared before taking a trip to the DPS.

Last question, do I have to take a driving test at the DPS?

That’s up to you! You have options here… Every student will be expected to pass a driving test but you can schedule your test at the DPS or you can find a local driving school that offers the test. They will expect to see your DE964 completion certificate before signing up for the test but once you have it you can definitely save yourself some time by visiting your local driving school to take your driving test.

Let us know if this was helpful and remember to DRIVE SAFE!