How to Get Your Driver’s License in Austin: Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re new to driving or new to Austin, getting your driver’s license is an essential first step to expanding your horizons, meaning you’ll be able to explore the best the city of Austin has to offer in neighborhoods like South Congress, Westlake, and Hyde Park! Driving lessons are an essential part of getting your license, and can also ensure that you will be a safe and confident driver for years to come!

This article will help you navigate the licensing process in Austin from driver's ed to driving lessons - all in a quick and easy manner!

Driver Education in Austin Explained

Do I Need a Texas Permit If I Live in Austin?

Yes! All applicants for a driving license who are under 18 will first need to earn a Texas Learner’s License before being eligible to take the behind-the-wheel test. We’ll break down the permit process below.

Driver Education

The first step to getting a Learner’s Permit is to enroll in and begin a 32-hour driver’s education course. First-time drivers in Austin have a few options when it comes to driver’s ed:

Classroom

A traditional classroom driver’s education class may be offered through your local high school or an authorized private driving provider such as Coastline. In a classroom setting, you will attend regular class on site, given in two-hour blocks over the span of a minimum of sixteen days. In your classroom driver’s education course, certified, experienced driving education instructor will lead lectures, discussions, and activities relating to Texas road law, safe driving practices, and how to operate a motor vehicle. The class will culminate with a final exam which you must pass in order to move onto the next step in the licensing process.

Online

For those students who do not live near a driving school site or need to manage their Austin driver’s education with a busy schedule, there are many options for an online driver’s education course, which you may complete from the comfort of your own home, on your own schedule. Like the classroom format, online driver’s education will cover the same topics of driver safety and road law, and will test your knowledge of these topics with periodic knowledge checks as you progress through the material. Your online driver education will wrap up with a final exam which you must pass in order to move onto the next step in the licensing process.

Parent-Taught

Some families with new drivers may prefer to enroll their child in a parent-taught driver’s education course. With this format, students will learn their classroom material from a parent using state-approved materials or enroll in an online, state-approved course before continuing with behind-the-wheel training. Some authorized driving schools, like Coastline, offer online material that is approved for the parent-taught driver’s education format, a convenient option for those families who pursue this driving course option. Like the classroom and online formats, the parent-taught class will wrap up with a final exam which you must pass in order to move onto the next step in the licensing process.

A Note For Readers 18 and Older

New drivers 18-24 will need to take a 6-hour Adult Driver’s Education course before being eligible to apply for their license. For busy adults who need a convenient option, driving schools like Coastline offer a Texas department-approved online course which may be completed according to your own schedule. Drivers 25 and older are not required to take any form of driver’s education before applying for their license.

Getting Your Learner’s License in Austin

Application

All new drivers must complete a paper application for their learner’s license. This form may be printed using the link from the Department of Public Safety website or may be picked up from any DPS driver license office. 

Make an Appointment

In order to complete the license application process, you will need to visit a DPS Office. You must schedule an appointment online through this website. Note that same-day appointments are available in limited quantities at some offices, but are not guaranteed. 

Bring Your Documents and Prepare for Testing

Be certain you gather all of the required documents you will need before you visit the DPS office. These will include:

• License application
• Proof of:
  • U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence
  • Texas Residency
  • Identity
  • Social Security Number
• Payment for any application fees. Note, the DPS will accept cash, credit card, check, and money order.
• Texas Driver Education Certificate proving driver’s course completion (is usually sent electronically to the DPS)*
• Verification of Attendance and Enrollment form*
  • This form must be signed by your school
  • This form is only for 30 days after issuance, unless it is between June and August, in which case it is valid for 90 days
  • Students may need to supply a current report card
• Evidence of passing the driver knowledge exam if taken through your local high school or private driving school such as Coastline
• Don’t forget to bring a parent or legal guardian with you!*

You will also be required to have your photo and thumbprint taken and pass a vision exam. more information regarding the knowledge test may be found below. 

*Only required for drivers under 18 years of age

The Vision Test

The DPS uses a Snellen chart to test for visual acuity. Applicants will be asked to accurately read certain letters from a 20-foot distance. If you wear corrective lenses, please bring these to your exam and be certain to wear them for your vision test. The examiner will note that you require corrective lenses to drive and this restriction will be added to your license. This means you must always wear your glasses or contacts when driving!

How Many Questions are on the Texas Knowledge Test?

As a new driver, you have two options when it comes to taking the Texas Knowledge Test. 

• You may take your test through your driver’s education course provider, which may be your local high school or a private driving school.
• If your provider does not offer the knowledge test, you will be able to take it at your local DPS office at the time of your license application.

In both cases, the test format will be the same. Remember, you must pass the Knowledge Test within three attempts in order to earn your license!

About the Test

The written test is based on information found in the Texas Driver Handbook and will test your mastery of state driving laws and safe driving practices. This test is mandatory for all new license applicants, regardless of age.

There are 30 questions on the knowledge test. You need to answer at least 21 correctly in order to pass your test. 15 of these questions will test you on your road sign knowledge. The other 15 questions will test you on your general road rules knowledge.

Each question on the Texas Knowledge Test is a multiple choice question. Be certain to read through the questions carefully and consider your options before answering. You must score at least 70% on your Knowledge Test in order to pass and move onto the driving skills portion of your testing. If you fail the written test more than three times, you will be required to pay the application fee again. 

There are a variety of resources available to help you study for your knowledge test. We suggest you read carefully through the Texas Drivers Handbook in order to prepare for your in-person Knowledge Exam. 

Driving Lessons in Austin

After you have passed your Knowledge Test, you will receive your Learner’s License and be able to start practice driving! As a Learner’s License holder, you are subject to certain restrictions as to who you must drive with. In addition, you will be required to take driving lessons with a certified, approved driving school and practice driving with a parent or other adult for a certain number of hours. We’ll break down the requirements below.

Driving Lessons Requirement

Teens under 18 years of age holding a learner’s license must take 14 hours of driving lessons with an approved driving school. You may want to sign up for lessons in Austin with one of Coastline's certified driving instructors!

Students will take a minimum of 7 lessons, which will be split as follows:

• One hour of driving instruction
• One hour of observation

This means you will be sharing your driving lessons with another student! While new drivers are often nervous to get behind the wheel, as a new driver, you can learn a lot from watching your peers drive, so be certain to pay attention during the observation section of your lessons!

Driving Practice Requirement

In addition to driving lessons, all new drivers under 18 must also undertake documented driving practice with a parent, guardian, or other adult who holds a valid driver’s license and is 21 years of age or older. New drivers must practice for at least 30 hours with the accompanying adult. 10 of those driving hours must take place at night. 

When practicing, don’t forget to log your practice hours using this TDLR form and be sure to have your accompanying driver sign the form and provide their driver’s license number after each session.

Remember, your learner’s license does not give you permission to drive alone. You must always be accompanied by another adult driver who holds a valid driving license and is 21 years of age or older. This driver must sit in the front passenger seat when you drive.

Waiting Period

All teens under 18 holding a learner’s license must hold their learner’s license for at least 6 months and turn 16 years of age before they are eligible to take the behind-the-wheel test. While this may seem like a long time, this is your opportunity to practice and refine your safe driving skills with your parents and Austin driving instructor so you are best prepared for the driving test!

A Note For Readers 18 and Older

New drivers who are adults 18 years of age and older are not required to enroll in driving lessons. This being said, we highly recommend taking lessons with a school like Coastline to help you become a safe driver! In addition, there is no mandatory waiting period between acquiring the learner’s license and eligibility for the behind-the-wheel test. Any driving practice undertaken while holding a restricted learner’s license endorsement must be completed with another licensed adult 21 years of age or older being present in the front seat of the car. Restricted License holders are not allowed to drive alone, including any transport to or from a DPS or Third-Party testing site.

Getting Your Driver’s License in Austin: Road Test Preparation

The next step to getting your driver’s license is to take and pass your skills test! Before scheduling your appointment, you must make sure you have completed all of the following steps:

• Take 14 hours of driving lessons with a certified driving instructor
• Take 30 driving hours of documented driving practice, 10 of which must be at night
• Ensured 6 months have passed since you were issued your learner’s license
• Be 16 years of age or older
• Take and finish an Impact Texas Teen Driver Course within 90 days prior to your appointment

Once you are certain you have completed all of the above steps, it’s time to schedule your test! We recommend taking the time to familiarize yourself with the Road Test format before making your appointment. More information about the driving test may be found in the Texas Driver Handbook. You may also refer to this document in preparation for your driving skills test.

When taking your driving exam, you have two options:

Austin DPS Site Testing

To take your road test with the DPS, you must first make an appointment with Driver License Services at your most convenient Austin location. Prior to your arrival on test day, you must be certain to have the following documents with you:

• License application
• Proof of:
  • U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence
  • Identity
  • Payment for any application fees. Note, the DPS will accept cash, credit card, check, and money order
  • Texas Driver Education Certificate proving course completion (is usually sent electronically to the DPS)
  • Certificate of Completion for ITTD Program (within 90 days prior to the testing date)
  • Vehicle insurance and registration
• Don’t forget to bring a parent or legal guardian with you!

A Note For Readers 18 and Older

Adults 18-24 who are applying for their driving exam must provide proof of completion of the 6-hour Adult Driver’s Education course (form ADE-1317, which is usually sent electronically by the school to the DPS). All applicants 18 and older must show proof of completion of an Impact Texas Adult Drivers Program within 90 days prior to their testing date.

To Pass Your Road Test

Remember! You may be tested not only on your driving skills, but also your car’s condition and your knowledge of your car, including demonstration of the operation of dash controls such as your headlights, windshield wipers, emergency brake, hazard lights and defroster. Your vehicle must have two license plates (front and back), functioning horn and turn signals, and operational seat belts.

Third-Party Testing Program (TPST)

Texas allows for license applicants to complete their Driving Skills Test requirement through a Third-Party Testing site. A TPST site is an approved program run through a Driver Education provider certified by the DPS to administer the driving test for Class C non-commercial driver license applicants.

What are the advantages of taking the test at a TPST site?

• Lower wait time to schedule a test
• Less intimidating than going to the DPS
• Familiarity with the driving school if the test-taker is a current or former student

If taking your Austin driving exam with a third-party tester, you must be certain to bring your license, Impact Texas Drivers completion certificate, and proof of motor vehicle insurance and registration with you on test day. After passing your test, you must visit a DPS site to complete your application for your license, which will include proof of driving exam completion provided by the third-party tester.

Getting Your Provisional Austin Driver’s License

Once you pass your road test, your learner’s license will be upgraded to a provisional driver license. Congratulations, you may now drive alone!

If you are under 18, there are still certain restrictions to your license you must keep in mind when driving:

• You may not drive with more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
• You may not drive between 12am and 5am unless driving to and from a job, school activity, or medical emergency.

Once your turn 18, you will need to reapply for your full, unrestricted driver license through the DPS.

A Note For Readers 18 and Older

After passing the road test, you will automatically be issued a full driver license. Remember to always drive according to the rules of the road!

Final Thoughts

Driving lessons are an essential part of the application process when getting your driver's license in Austin. Not only will completing your instruction from one of our patient and knowledgeable certified driving instructors help calm any anxiety about getting on those busy roads, but also set you up to be a safe and confident driver for life!