How To Apply For Texas Drivers License As A Teen - Phase 1

You have met the age requirements and are ready to apply for your driver's license in Texas. When it comes to the Lone Star State, new teen drivers applying for their driver's license have to go through two phases of licensing. The program is called the Graduated Driver License Program (GDL Program) and applies to all new teen drivers before they can graduate to a full driver's license.

Phase I - Learner License

The GDL Program consists of two different phases you must go through. We are going to start with Phase I and give you a breakdown of everything needed in order to complete this phase.

With the learner license, it allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult before graduating to the next level. For this phase, you must be between 15 and 17 years of age and you must have completed the first six hours of the driver education classroom instruction if you are using the concurrent method or all 32 hours of classroom instruction if you are using the block method.

For education requirements, you must provide evidence that you:

• Obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
• Are a student enrolled in a public, private, or home school and attended school for at least 90% of the time in the fall or spring semester preceding the date of application; or
• Are currently enrolled in a program to prepare you to pass the high school equivalency exam. You must have been enrolled for the previous 45 days from the date of applying for your learner license; or
• If you are applying during the summer and are still enrolled in school, your last report card for the most recent school year is acceptable provided it has your name, a list of absences, and a complete listing of grades.

Driving Requirements

When it comes to the learner license in Texas, you have a few more criteria to follow:

• A licensed adult 21 years or older must be in the front passenger seat when you are driving.
• You must hold the learner license for at least six months, unless you turn 18.
• You are restricted from using a wireless communications device, including a hands-free device, except in the case of an emergency.
• If your license is suspended any time while you are holding a learner license, than that initial six-month period increases by the number of days of the suspension. This helps to ensure you hold a valid learner license for a full six months.
• The learner license expires on your 18th birthday.

Applying for a Learner License

When you are ready to apply for your learner license, there is a list of documents you need to bring with you to the driver license office. When at the office, you need to provide proof of the following in order to obtain a learner license:

1. U.S. Citizenship or evidence of lawful presence if you are not a U.S. citizen
2. Texas Residency
3. Proof of Identity
4. Social Security Number
5. Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration for each vehicle you own (new residents who are surrendering an out-of-state drivers license only)
6. Proof of Insurance for each vehicle you own. If you do not own a vehicle, you will have to sign a statement affirming this.
7. Texas Driver Education Certificate showing classroom completion
8. Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE form) issued by a school, your high school diploma or GED or current report card for the most recent school year. The VOE form requires a signature and is valid for 30 days from issuance or 90 days if issued between the months of June through August.

Next Steps

You have all the necessary documents in place and have completed all the required courses, so the next steps to take are:

1. Fill out the driver license application before arriving at your local office. (This form is also available at all driver license offices)
2. Make an appointment at a driver license office. A parent or legal guardian will have to attend this appointment with you. (If you are bringing a legal guardian, you must also bring a certified court order demonstrating guardianship).
3. You will need to provide the application and the documents listed above to the license and permit specialist.
4. You will also need to provide your signature and thumbprints.
5. You will have your picture taken.
6. Pay the application fee.
7. Pass the vision exam.

You may complete the testing requirements at the driver license office or through Third Party provider.

All Set!

Once those steps are all completed and your learner license has been issued, you will receive a temporary driver's license. When you receive that, review the information on it for accuracy. If anything is incorrect, let the license and permit specialist know. Your new card will arrive in the mail in about 2 to 3 weeks.

The Texas DPS does state if you hold an identification card already, you are not eligible to apply for a learner license unless you surrender your identification card at the time you apply.

There is definitely a lot on the list and this is just Phase I! We'll continue this conversation in Phase 2 here! As always, if you have any questions that Coastline can help you with, please reach out to our friendly support staff.