Driving Rules in Texas?

Question

I'm turning 15 in a few days, which means I can get my driving permit, but I'm wondering if I can learn at home from my mom and take a test at the driving school, or if I have to take lessons from the school in order to get my permit?

Answer 1

INSTRUCTION PERMIT:

This is a permit issued without a photograph for the purpose of permitting a student driver to legally practice when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age and has had at least one year driving experience and who is occupying the seat beside the driver.

Minimum Age: 15 with driver education.

Fee: $5.00

Expiration: Issued until the applicant’s next birth date, plus one year. Not renewable as an instruction permit but must be renewed as a photo-type license at regular fees upon expiration or at the time the driving test is passed and the restrictions are removed.

SPECIAL NOTE: A person may not receive a Texas driver license until he surrenders to the Department all valid driver licenses in his possession issued to him by this or any other state.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are under 18 years of age you must prove when you apply for your first Texas driver license or instruction permit and again each time your license is renewed until your 18th birthday that you:

1) Have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent; or

2) Are a student enrolled in a public or private school who 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 currently

enrolled in a program to prepare persons to pass the high school

equivalency exam.

You are also required to present the documentation anytime the

license is renewed prior to the 18th birthday. During the school year

the certificate issued by the school may not be dated more than 30

days before the date of application. During the summer the certificate

may not be dated more than 90 days before the date of application.

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The Texas Education Agency has developed an attendance certification form

that you must obtain from your respective school. Have the school officials

complete and sign it, and then present it to the Driver License personnel

when you are applying for or renewing your driver license.

GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE: The Texas Graduated Driver License (GDL)

Program was implemented January 1, 2002.

Phase One: Applicants under age 18 must hold an instruction permit or

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

Class A, B, or C driver license. Under the GDL program, there is

no minimum time that a person must hold a restricted motorcycle or

moped license before they can apply for a Class M license. Phase one

does not apply to Class M or hardship license holders. The instruction

permit must remain valid during the mandatory six-month period to meet

this regulation.

Phase Two: Phase Two restricts the driving privileges of persons under

18 years of age during the six-month period following the issuance of an

original Class A, B, or C driver license (Provisional License). These persons

may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in

the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member. In addition,

they may not operate a motor vehicle between midnight and 5:00 a.m.

unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend

or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a

medical emergency. The license restriction will state, “TRC 545.424

applies until mm/dd/yy”.

Applicants 15 years of age presenting an out-of-state instruction permit

will be issued a Texas instruction permit which must be held for six

months from the date of issuance before becoming eligible for Phase

Two.

Applicants at least 16 years of age and less than 18 years old who present

a valid out-of-state instruction permit or out-of-state driver license will

be issued a Phase Two provisional GDL with passenger and time restrictions

for the first six months of operation of a motor vehicle in Texas.