Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 1: Your License to Drive 

Texas Driver Handbook

Part 3: The Driving Exam

The driving exam is given only after all other exams are passed and evidence 

of financial responsibility is presented or the vehicle is exempt under the Texas 

Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act. The type of vehicle used for the driv-

ing exam must match the class of license on the application. No one less than 

18 years of age is exempt from taking the driving exam.

Individuals may take a driving exam at a driver license office or through a 

third party skills testing (TPST) school. The TPST program started September 

1, 2014. The program permits certain schools to administer the non-commer-

cial driving exam. Individuals who take and pass the driving exam through an 

approved TPST school must present the sealed envelope prepared by the TPST 

school in order for the exam to be waived at the  driver license office. 

Individuals who complete the DPS-approved motorcycle operator training 

course are not required to take a driving exam for a Class M license if the 

person already has a valid, unrestricted Texas license. Individuals less than 18 

years of age must pass the motorcycle driving exam. 

Additionally, the driving exam is not required for anyone applying for a learner license. 

A $10 exam fee is required when changing from a lower to a higher class license or when removing restrictions from a license. The 

cost of adding a Class M to an existing license is $15. 

Description of the Driving Exam

During the driving exam, you will not be asked to do anything illegal. You must follow all of the instructions given by the customer 

service representative (CSR). Do not carry on a conversation during the driving exam.

If you are not eligible to drive in Texas, a licensed driver must drive the car to the driver license office and exam area. If you are not 

issued a driver license then the licensed driver should also drive you away from the driver license office.

Upon completion of the driving exam, the CSR will explain all driving errors and let you know how to correct those errors.

Your application for a license will not be approved if you:

1.  Violate the law

2.  Refuse to follow instructions

3.  Drive dangerously or have a crash

4.  Have more than 30 points deducted on the driving exam

All drivers are graded on four basic skills, regardless of the type of driving exam.

1.  Control – Your ability to make your car do what you want it to do

2.  Observation – Your ability to see what other traffic is doing and other things that may create problems in traffic

3.  Positioning – Your ability to drive in your lane

4.  Signaling – Your ability to use turn signals as required

You may be graded on your performance on the following skills so it is good to practice before taking the driving exam.

a.  Parallel parking (you may use the back-up camera on your vehicle for parallel parking; however, the use of an automated 

vehicle parking function will not be allowed)

b.  Quick stop – You may be asked to stop your car as quickly as possible at about 20 mph without skidding your tires

c.  Backing – Your ability to back the car for a distance of about 60 feet at a slow rate of speed and as straight and smoothly as 

possible. Turn and look back at all times while backing or you may use the back-up camera and mirrors on your vehicle while 

backing; however, the use of an automated vehicle parking function will not be allowed

d.  Stop signs

e.  Traffic signals

f.  Use of clutch – On standard transmissions, hold the clutch all the way down when starting the motor, shifting gears, when 

stopping, and once your speed drops below 10 mph. Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch

g.  Intersection observance – Use the proper lane; slow down and look both ways before entering the intersection

h.  Turns

i.  Right-of-way

8

Examples of Vehicles for Driving Exam

Class A 

Test in

Class B 

Test in

Class C 

Test in

Class M 

or endorsement 

to existing license

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Chapter 1: Your License to Drive 

Texas Driver Handbook

j.  Following, passing, and proper lane observance

k.  Posture – Keep hands on steering wheel; don’t rest your elbow on the window

Pass or Fail Driving Exam

If you do not pass the driving exam, you will need to schedule time for another driving exam. If you pass the driving exam, always 

carry your license with you when driving and upon request, show it to:

1. Any peace officer, sheriff, constable, judge, justice of the peace, or state trooper

2. Anyone with whom you are involved in a crash

Penalties for Driving Without a License

During a stop, a law enforcement officer will determine if you have a valid driver license as required.

Table 7: Penalties for Driving Without a License

Conviction

Penalty*

1st conviction

A fine of up to $200.

2nd conviction in one year

A fine of $25 to $200.

Driving without a license, operating a vehicle without insurance at the time of the 

offense, and driver causes a crash resulting in serious bodily injury or death

Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $4,000 

and/or confinement in jail for not more than 365 days.

*Additional suspensions and surcharges may apply.

Restrictions Placed on a License

A restriction may be placed on your license. This is not meant to interfere with your driving but to make you a better driver.  

Following is a complete list of the restriction codes. This information is also available on our website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/

DriverLicense/endrsRestrictions.htm.

Table 8: Restriction Codes

Code

Description

Code

Description

A

With corrective lenses

P1

For Class M TRC 454.424 until MM/DD/YY

B

Licensed operator front seat 21 or over

P2

To/from work/school

C 

Daytime only

P3

To/from work

D

Not to exceed 45 mph

P4

To/from school

E

No manual transmission equipped CMV

P5

To/from work/school or LOFS 21 or over

F

Must hold valid learner license to MM/DD/YY

P6

To/from work or LOFS 21 or over

G

TRC 545.424 applies until MM/DD/YY

P7

To/from school or LOFS 21 or over

H

Vehicle not to exceed 26,000 lbs GVWR

P8

With telescopic lens

I

Motorcycle not to exceed 250cc

P9

LOFS 21 or over bus only

J

Licensed motorcycle operator 21 or over in sight

P10

LOFS 21 or over school bus only

K

CDL/CLP Instrastate commerce only

P11

Bus not to exceed 26,000 lbs GVWR

L

No airbrake equipped CMV

P12

Passenger CMV restrict to Class C only

M

No Class A passenger vehicle

P13

LOFS 21 or over in vehicle equipped w/ airbrake

N

No Class A or B passenger vehicle

P14

Operation Class B exempt vehicle authorized

O

No tractor trailer CMV

P15

Operation Class A exempt vehicle authorized

Q

LOFS 21 or over, vehicle above Class B

P16

If CMV, school buses interstate

R

LOFS 21 or over, vehicle above Class C

P17

If CMV, government vehicle interstate

S

Outside rearview mirror or hearing aid

P18

If CMV, only transport personal property (interstate)

T

Automatic transmission

P19

If CMV, only transport corpse/sick/injured (interstate)

U

Applicable prosthetic devices

P20

If CMV, privately transport passengers (interstate)

V

Medical Variance documentation required

P21

If CMV, fire/rescue (interstate)

W

Power steering

P22

If CMV, intra-city zone drivers (interstate)

X

No cargo in CMV tank vehicle

P23

If CMV, custom harvesting (interstate)

Y

Valid Texas vision or limb waiver required

P24

If CMV, transporting bees/hives (interstate)

Z

No full airbrake equipped

P25

If CMV, use in oil/water well service/drill

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