How to Get a Texas Drivers License as an Adult

Ready to get your Texas drivers license? Here's what Texas adults need to know about the state's drivers license requirements.

In Texas, the requirements for getting your license vary depending on your age. Here are the steps you should follow if you're planning to get your Texas drivers license as an adult.

Step 1: Complete a Drivers Education Course

Texas takes the safety of its drivers very seriously. For that reason, it requires all new drivers license applicants between the ages of 18 and 24 to complete a drivers education course. Adult courses are available to help new drivers meet this mandate. Though new drivers over 25 are not required to complete a drivers education course, the state's Department of Public Safety (DPS) strongly recommends that they do so.

Step 2: Complete Your Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Requirements

As of May 1, 2017, all new Texas drivers license applicants are required to complete the state's ITD program, which is designed to teach new drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. The ITD program, which was developed by the DPS, comes in two formats. The version you're required to take is determined by your age and your drivers education experience. Here's a breakdown:

• New drivers who are 25 or older are required to complete the Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) course, which consists of a one-hour video that tells the stories of real-life Texans who have been impacted by distracted driving.
• New drivers who are between 18 and 24 and who have completed an adult drivers education course can also fulfill their ITD requirements by completed the aforementioned one-hour ITYD course.
• New drivers who are between 18 and 24 and who have completed a teen drivers education course are required to take the the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course, which consists of a two-hour video on the subject of safe driving

Step 3: Study the Texas Drivers' Handbook

Before Texas adults can get their first drivers license, they must demonstrate that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to be a safe driver. To do this, they may be required to pass both written and practical driving exams. The best way to prepare for these exams is to take an adult drivers education course. In fact, Texas adults who have completed a drivers education course may be exempt from taking a written knowledge exam. Everyone, however, is tested on their road skills before they can get their license.

Beyond taking a drivers education course, one of the best ways to prepare for the written and road skills exams is studying the Texas Drivers' Handbook. It contains tons of information on everything from road signs and right-of-way rules to crash protocol and pedestrian safety. Much of this information will be on the exams.

Step 4: Schedule Your Appointment at a DPS Office

If you've finished a drivers education course, completed your ITD requirements and studied the Texas Drivers' Handbook, then you're likely ready to schedule your testing appointment at a DPS office. When you go in for your appointment, you must bring all the required documentation. Here's the complete list of what you'll need:

• Documents verifying your identity, social security number, legal status and Texas residency
• A completed Texas drivers license application form
• Either a statement indicating that you don't own a motor vehicle or proof of your vehicle's Texas registration
• Your ITD certificate of completion
• A certificate of completion from your drivers education course if you are under the age of 25
• A form of payment to cover your license fee

Once your documents are approved, you'll be ready to take your required exams. Good luck!