Texas Driving Test: What to Bring, Scoring and Third-Party Testing
Where can I take the Texas driving test, and what do I need?
You can take the Texas driving test at a Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office or at a DPS-certified driver education school that offers third-party skills testing (TPST). Bring your Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) certificate, valid for 90 days, one form of ID, and a vehicle with valid registration and insurance. DPS will not approve your application if more than 30 points are deducted.
Where the Texas driving test rules come from
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Driver License Division, runs the driving test. This guide uses the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, revised January 2026), the DPS road test FAQ and the DPS third-party skills testing page. It also uses the DPS Driver Safety Checklist (form DL-60), the DPS Impact Texas Drivers page and the DPS provisional license page. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Texas Department of Public Safety (dps.texas.gov) before you drive.
DPS office or third-party school: where to take the Texas road test
| Question | DPS driver license office | TPST driver education school |
|---|---|---|
| Who gives the test | A DPS License and Permit Specialist | A driver education school that DPS has certified |
| How you book | Online in Texas Scheduler: pick Class C under Road Skills Test | Through the school |
| Test fee | Part of your license application; you pay before any exam | Not regulated by DPS; ask the school |
| After the test | You learn if you passed, and the examiner explains your errors | Teens bring the results to DPS in a sealed envelope. At a school in the TPST Submission Portal, DPS processes the packet online and, if it approves, you do not visit an office |
Can I take the Texas road test at a driver education school?
Yes, if you meet the DPS rules for your age. At 16 or older, you need a DE-964 or DEE-964 that shows you finished a minors driver education course, a learner license held for at least six months, and an Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) certificate dated within 90 days before the test. At 18 to 24, you need a DE-964, DEE-964, ADE-1317 or ADEE-1317 driver education certificate. At 18 and older, you need an Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) certificate dated within 90 days, and the DPS page also lists a "valid restricted driver license".
How far ahead can you book a Texas road test?
At a DPS office, you book the road test in Texas Scheduler up to 180 days ahead (some DPS pages say six months). Every driver license office lets you schedule the drive test online, and the DPS Customer Service Center cannot book, move or cancel a road test for you. A TPST school books its own tests, so ask the school for a date.
How to get ready for the Texas driving test
- 1Finish the behind-the-wheel part of your driver education.
- 2Apply for your driver license. DPS says you must apply before you schedule a road test, and the driving exam comes only after you pass all other exams.
- 3Book the test in Texas Scheduler for a DPS office, or through a TPST school.
- 4Practice the maneuvers on the DPS Driver Safety Checklist (DL-60). Ask the person with you to give you instructions and point out your mistakes.
- 5Complete the ITD program online after your behind-the-wheel training: the 2-hour ITTD video for ages 15 to 17 in a parent-taught or minor course, or the 1-hour ITAD video for ages 18 to 24 who need an adult course and for age 25 and older. The certificate is valid for 90 days, so plan it close to your test date.
- 6Print the certificate. On test day, ask your questions before the test starts, because the examiner does not make general conversation once it starts.
What to bring to the Texas driving test
- Your printed ITD certificate, not older than 90 days. You cannot take the driving skills test without it. Teens can read more in the guide to Impact Texas Teen Drivers.
- One valid form of identification.
- A vehicle that you provide, with unexpired registration, inspection and insurance. At a DPS office, show proof of current registration and insurance for that vehicle.
- You do not have to be listed on the insurance policy, but you cannot be listed as an excluded driver.
Vehicle check before the Texas road test
| Item | What the examiner checks |
|---|---|
| License plates | Two plates, attached front and back (one plate is fine for out-of-state or temporary plates). No dealer plates and no dealer temporary cardboard tags |
| Lights and signals | Turn signals on the front and back, and brake lights |
| Controls | A working speedometer and horn |
| Safety | Seat belts that work, at least one rearview mirror, and driver and front passenger doors that open normally |
| Papers | Unexpired registration, inspection and insurance |
| Passengers | No pets and no unauthorized passengers during the test |
What the examiner grades on the Texas driving test
Every driver is graded on four basic skills: control (making the car do what you want), observation (seeing what other traffic is doing), positioning (driving in your lane) and signaling (using turn signals as required). The DPS checklist also grades maneuvers such as backing in a straight line, parallel parking, approaching intersections, turning and stopping in regular traffic. Signal 100 feet before you turn or change lanes. The test takes about 20 minutes. Practice the rules with the free questions on signal distance before a turn and curb distance when you parallel park.
Parallel parking, quick stop and backing on the Texas road test
| Maneuver | What you may be asked to do |
|---|---|
| Parallel parking | Park beside the curb. You may use the back-up camera, but not an automated parking function |
| Quick stop | Stop as quickly as possible at about 20 mph without skidding your tires |
| Backing | Back about 60 feet, slowly, as straight and smooth as possible. Turn and look back, or use the back-up camera and mirrors; no automated parking function |
How the Texas driving test is scored and how many points you can lose
DPS will not approve your license application if you have more than 30 points deducted on the driving exam. It will also not approve it if you violate the law, refuse to follow the examiner's instructions, drive dangerously or have a crash. A dangerous or illegal maneuver stops the test at once and is an automatic failure.
What happens after you pass or fail the Texas driving test
Key takeaways
- Take the test at a DPS office, booked in Texas Scheduler up to 180 days ahead, or at a DPS-certified TPST school. DPS does not regulate the school's fee.
- Bring a printed ITD certificate not older than 90 days, one form of ID, and a vehicle with unexpired registration, inspection and insurance.
- The examiner grades control, observation, positioning and signaling, and may ask for parallel parking, a quick stop and backing.
- More than 30 points deducted, a dangerous move or a crash means DPS will not approve your application.
- Next step: practice the traffic rules on the free Texas Class C learner license practice test.
Texas driving test: common questions
How long does the Texas driving test take?
The drive takes about 20 minutes. Before it starts, the examiner checks your ID and your vehicle: plates, signals, brake lights, horn, seat belts, registration, inspection and insurance. When you finish, you learn if you passed, and the examiner explains your driving errors and how to correct them.
Can I use a new car or an out-of-state car for my road test?
Yes, with conditions. A newly bought car with metal plates but no registration sticker is allowed if both plates are securely attached and you show the Buyer's Receipt as proof of registration. A car registered in another state is allowed if it meets that state's registration laws. A car with a dealer temporary cardboard tag cannot be used.
How many times can I retake the Texas driving test?
After a failed test, DPS holds your application for 90 days and you book another test. After 90 days or three failed tests, you need a new application and a new fee. Before you try again, use the examiner's feedback on the areas where you need to improve.
Do I need a driving test if I move to Texas with a license?
Not if you are 18 or older and surrender a valid out-of-state license: the handbook says you then skip the knowledge and driving exams. DPS can still require a drive test at any time. If you are under 18, you must take the driving test, because nobody younger than 18 is exempt.
Can I take the Texas driving test at 15?
No driving exam is needed for a learner license. You take the driving test for the provisional license, which is for ages 16 and 17 after at least six months on a learner license. A TPST school asks for the same six months on a learner license from age 16. The exception is a hardship license: a teen of 15 can apply for one, and must pass driver education and the vision, knowledge and driving exams.
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