NEW DRIVER LICENSE LAWS FOR TEENS & ADULTS

Click here to see the official statement from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

ROAD TEST (TEENS)

Effective September 1, 2009, any teen applying for a driving license must now take a road test at the DPS in order to receive a driver's license. Those who received their permits before September 1, 2009 are exempt from the new law and will not have to take a road test at the DPS.

NEW PROCESS FOR DRIVING PERMITS

Effective December 10, 2009, Homeland Security requires all licensees have pictures and fingerprints. Therefore, all students (teen and adult) are now required to go to the DPS in person to have their fingerprints and picture taken when applying for a driving permit.

Houston Driving School will continue to give the written driving test, vision test, and provide a list of documentation needed for identification. Houston Driving School will also continue to require teen students to pass a road test at our school in order to successfully complete the driver education course and to prepare them for the road test at the DPS.

DRIVING PERMITS FOR ADULTS (ADULTS)

Effective December 10, 2009, Adults aged 18-25 must take a six-hour, TEA approved, driver education course, through a state-license driving school in order to obtain a driving permit and their license. See Adult Driving page for more info.

ADDITIONAL HOURS BEHIND-THE-WHEEL (TEENS)

Effective May 1, 2010, the total required hours of Behind-The-Wheel instruction for teens will be increased from 14 hours to 34 hours. The TEA has established that the additional 20 hours must be administered by each student's parent or legal guardian. Houston Driving School will continue to provide 14 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, 7 hours observing and 7 hours driving, as currently required by law.