Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 1: Your License to Drive 

Texas Driver Handbook

2.  Are a student enrolled in a public, private, or home school and attended school for at least 80 days in the fall or spring semester 

preceding the date of application; or

3.  Have been enrolled for at least 45 days and are enrolled at the time of application in a program to prepare individuals to pass 

the high school equivalency exam.

This information is included on the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form issued by your school. Ask school of-

ficials to complete and sign the VOE form. The VOE may not be dated more than 30 days before the date of application for a license 

during the school year or more than 90 days during the summer. The VOE must be presented to the driver license customer service 

representative (CSR) when applying for, renewing, or removing permit restrictions from a license.

Hardship License

A hardship license (previously known as Minor Restricted Driver License or MRDL) may be issued to a minor who establishes the 

necessity to drive and may have restrictions based on the qualifying hardship. 

An application for a hardship license (DL-77) must be executed by an authorized adult on behalf of the minor. Both the adult and the 

minor must sign the form and present it in person at the driver license office. Only a parent, guardian, or person having custody of 

a minor may make application on behalf of a minor. If the minor does not have a parent, guardian, or custodian then an employer or 

county judge may apply on behalf of the minor.

A person applying for a hardship license must:

1.  Be at least 15 years of age but not more than 18

2.  Complete and pass a driver education course (a driver education course includes both the classroom and behind the wheel 

phase), vision, knowledge, and driving exams

3.  Meet all other requirements for a first time driver license (original) applicant.

For more information, please visit our website, www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/teenDriver.htm.

DPS may require supporting documentation or conduct an investigation to confirm the information provided on the application.

DPS will issue a hardship license if it is determined that:

1.  Failure to issue the hardship license will result in an unusual economic hardship for the family of the minor applicant

2.  The hardship license is necessary due to an illness, disability, or death of a family member

3.  The hardship license is necessary because the minor applicant is enrolled in a vocational education program that requires a 

license for participation.

4. A court order requiring issuance of the hardship license is presented

Graduated Driver License (GDL)

Teenagers and young adults have the highest crash rates of all drivers, and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 

U.S. teens. Young drivers make up 6.5 percent of the driving population but are responsible for 13 percent of fatal crashes. The 

Graduated Driver License (GDL) program eases teens into the driving experience by phasing in driving privileges and minimizing 

exposure to high-risk situations.

The GDL program applies to driver license applicants under 18 years of age and has contributed to a decrease in fatal crashes in 

recent years. As a part of this program, all new driver license applicants are required to pass a driving exam conducted at a driver 

license office or authorized testing facility.

The GDL program consists of two phases. Phase One applies to learner licenses. Phase Two applies to provisional licenses. All 

drivers less than 18 years of age must meet the licensing requirements for a learner license or provisional license, but they are also 

subject to additional requirements, including driver education and the GDL program.

Phase One: This phase requires applicants under 18 years of age to hold a valid learner, hardship, or combination of learner and 

hardship license for a minimum of six months prior to the issuance of a provisional license. 

If your license is suspended during Phase One, then the initial six-month period is extended by the number of days of the suspension 

because your license is invalid during the suspension period.

A Texas learner license will be issued to new Texas residents who are at least 15 years of age, present an out-of-state instruction 

permit, and submit a VOE form. A Texas learner license must be held for six months from the date of issuance before the individual 

is eligible for Phase Two.

Phase One requirements do not apply to Class M (motorcycle) licenses. Under the GDL program, there is no minimum time a person 

must hold a restricted motorcycle or moped license before applying for a Class M license.

Phase Two: Phase Two restricts the driving privileges of individuals until their 18th birthday following the issuance of a provisional 

license. 

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Chapter 1: Your License to Drive 

Texas Driver Handbook

During Phase Two these individuals may not drive a motor vehicle:

1.  With more than one passenger in the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member

2.  Between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the driver to work, to attend or participate in 

a school-related activity, or due to a medical emergency

All drivers who are under 18 years of age are restricted from using a wireless communication device, including a hands-free device, 

except in case of an emergency.

Provisional License

A provisional license is a driver license issued to persons 16 to 18 years of age that has the Phase Two GDL driving restrictions applied. The 

license will be marked “PROVISIONAL” and expire on the license holder’s 18th birthday. A person applying for a provisional license must:

1.  Be at least 16 but not more than 18 years of age

2.  Complete and pass a driver education course (a driver education course includes both the classroom and behind the wheel 

phases), vision, and driving exams

3.  Have held a valid learner, hardship, or combination of learner and hardship license for at least six months

4.  Meet all other requirements for a renewal driver license applicant

Out-of-State License Holders

Applicants who are at least 15 but less than 18 years of age and present a valid out-of-state instruction permit will be issued a Phase 

One learner license. Applicants who are at least 16 but less than 18 years of age and present a valid out-of-state driver license will 

be issued a Phase Two provisional license with passenger and time restrictions after successful completion of the driving exam. 

Applicants must meet all other requirements for a first time (original) applicant.

All licenses issued to persons less than 21 years of age will be marked “UNDER 21”.

Classes of Driver Licenses

Class A, B, C, and M driver licenses are issued to individuals who are exempt or not required to obtain a commercial driver license 

(CDL). Most non-commercial driver licenses issued to persons 18 years of age and older are valid for six years and cost $24 (a $1 admin-

istrative fee will be added to in-person or online transactions). Some applicants receive licenses with shorter terms due to restrictions 

including, but not limited to, verification of lawful presence, sex offender registration requirements, or being 85 years of age or older.

Individuals who operate any of the following vehicles are exempt from obtaining a CDL but may need a Class A or Class B non-

commercial driver license because the type of vehicle driven still meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle. For more 

information on commercial motor vehicles and requirements for a CDL, please visit our website, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/

DriverLicense/CommercialLicense.htm or see the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook. You may download the 

handbook online at http://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DL-7C.pdf.

1.  A fire-fighting or emergency vehicle necessary for the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency govern-

mental functions whether operated by an employee of a political subdivision or by a volunteer fire fighter.

2.  A military vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle when operated for military purposes by military personnel, members of the 

Reserves and National Guard on active duty including personnel on full-time National Guard duty, personnel on part-time 

training, and National Guard military technicians.

3.  A recreational vehicle driven for personal use.

4.  A vehicle that is owned, leased, or controlled by an air carrier, and is driven or operated exclusively by an employee of the air 

carrier only on the premises of an airport, on service roads to which the public does not have access.

5.  A vehicle used exclusively to transport seed cotton modules or cotton burrs.

6.  A vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer:

a. Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm

b. Not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier, or 

c.  Used within 150 miles of the person’s farm.

Class A Driver License

A Class A driver license permits a person to drive:

1.  Any vehicle or combination of vehicles described under a Class B or Class C driver license; and

2.  A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided the gross 

vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs.

A Class A driver license does not permit a person to drive a motorcycle or moped.

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