Whether you are looking to get your Texas driver's license for the first time, or you are an adult learner, you may be wondering — how long is Texas driver's ed?
The short answer is teen driver's ed takes 32 hours, while adult driver's ed only takes six hours. Read on to learn the details and discrepancies for individuals seeking to get their Texas driver's license.
Texas Driver's Ed in a Nutshell
Here are some basic rules and regulations for those seeking a Texas driver's license:
Individuals between the ages of 14 and 25 are required to take a driver's ed course.
The teen driver education course is for those under the age of 18.
The adult driver's ed course is for people 18 to 25.
You must complete either the teen driver education course or the adult driver education course in full; you cannot apply hours earned in one course to the other. You may, however, be able to transfer from one driver education school to another.
Driver's ed hours earned in another state do not transfer to Texas.
The TX Driver's Ed Process for Teens
According to the Texas Department of Safety (DPS), the teen driver's ed classroom phase requires 32 hours of instruction and cannot be completed in less than 16 days.
Once they have completed the first six hours of their driver's ed course and they are 15 years of age, Texas teens become eligible to receive a learner's license. This is called the concurrent method.
They can also opt to complete all 32 hours of classroom instruction before fulfilling the other requirements for getting a learner's license. This is called the block method.
Between the ages of 15 and 17, students with a learner's license are able to begin practice driving with a licensed adult who is over 21. To fulfill the required training for their license, students must complete:
Seven hours of behind-the-wheel driving.
Seven hours of in-car observation.
An additional 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving.
Teens under the age of 18 who complete both the in-car and classroom portions of their driver's ed course are able to apply for a provisional (temporary) driver's license once they turn 16. However, they must hold the learner's license for at least six months before they can get a provisional license.
Teens reapply for a regular license once they turn 18.
The TX Driver's Ed Process for Adults
The process for adults aged 18 to 25 is a lot less complicated.
Individuals are only legally required to take a six-hour driver's ed class, either in-person or online. They can do this all in one day if they wish. Once they receive a completion certificate from the driver's ed school, they can apply for their driver's license.
All applicants aged 16 to 24 must also complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) program before they pass the driver's skills test at the DMV.
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