Whether you're a teen planning to get your driver's license for the first time or an adult trying to navigate the process, you're likely wondering how long it will take you to complete Texas driver's ed. 

The short answer to this question is that teen driver's ed takes 32 hours, while adult driver's ed only takes six hours — but there's more to the story. Read on to take a closer look at the details. 

How Long Is Texas Driver's Ed?

Texas has a structured driver's ed program to make sure new drivers are well-prepared to get behind the wheel. The requirements vary depending on your age: 

• Teens aged 14-17: Must complete a 32-hour teen driver education course over a minimum of 16 days.

• Adults aged 18-25: Must complete a six-hour adult driver education course.

• Adults over 25: Not legally required to take driver's ed, but it's highly recommended for new drivers.

The TX Driver's Ed Process for Teens

If you've completed the first six hours of driver's ed and are at least 15 years old, you can get your learner's license and then complete the remaining classroom hours. This is called the concurrent method. 

Alternatively, you can complete all 32 hours of classroom instruction before fulfilling the other requirements for getting a learner's license. This is called the block method. 

Once you get your learner's license, you must complete a total of 44 hours of training in the presence of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, consisting of:

• 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

You'll also need to complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program before you can take your driver's test. This two-hour informational course is free and is required for new drivers under the age of 25.

You can apply for your provisional (temporary) driver's license once you turn 16 and have completed both the in-car and classroom portions of your driver's ed course — as long as you've had your learner's license for at least six months. 

How Long Does it Take Teens to Get a Texas Driver's License?

The Texas TDLR limits the number of hours you can work on getting your driver's license per day. Students can only receive credit for:

• Two hours of classroom time per day OR

• One hour of classroom time and one hour of in-car driving instruction per day OR

• One hour of in-car driving instruction per day

These limitations mean you can technically complete your 32 hours of classroom instruction in 16 days. Before you can get your license, you'll also need a minimum of 44 days to complete the in-car driving instruction. So technically, you can meet all of the requirements in a minimum of 60 days. 

However, you'll still need to hold your learner's license for six months before you can apply for your provisional license, so there's no sense in rushing through coursework. Trying to pack everything into this short timeframe will not give you enough time to learn how to safely operate a vehicle on the road. Instead, you're better off creating a realistic plan that will allow you to digest all the information and sharpen your driving skills before taking your driver's exam. 

Planning a Realistic Driver's Ed Schedule

When planning to get your driver's license in Texas, it's best to take your time. Consider your school and work schedules and leave enough time for homework and sports or social activities. Remember, you'll also need to work around your instructor's schedule. A realistic plan might look something like this: 

• 4 hours of classroom instruction + 2 hours of driving practice per week:

  • Weeks 1 - 8: Classroom instruction (32 hours) + behind-the-wheel training (16 hours)

  • Weeks 9 - 22: Behind-the-wheel training (28 hours)

  • Total time: Approximately 22 weeks (5.5 months)

~ OR ~ 

• 6 hours of classroom instruction + 3 hours of driving practice per week:

  • Weeks 1 - 6: Classroom instruction (32 hours) + behind-the-wheel training (18 hours)

  • Weeks 7 - 16: Behind-the-wheel training (26 hours)

  • Total time: Approximately 16 weeks (4 months)

The TX Driver's Ed Process for Adults 

Getting your driver's license as an adult is a lot less complicated. If you're between 18 and 25, you're only legally required to take a six-hour driver's ed class, either in-person or online, and you can do it all in one day if you like. Once you receive a certificate of completion from the driver's ed school and you've completed the two-hour ITD Program, you can apply for your driver's license. 

The Fastest Path to Getting Your License as an Adult

Since there are fewer requirements and no time restrictions, an adult under the age of 25 could feasibly complete all the pre-licensing requirements in a single day. However, spreading it out over a week or two will give you more time to fully understand the material.

Go the Distance with DriversEd.com

If you're ready to get your driver's license, DriversEd.com has Texas driver's ed courses for both teens and adults. Accredited by the Driving School Association of the Americas, our driver's ed classes are fully online, competitively priced, optimized for mobile, and complete with free practice tests.

Updated 6/12/24