Texas does not give adults the same learner license teens get, but it has an equivalent. The Texas Driver Handbook says applicants 18 and older who want to practice driving legally are issued a Class C license with the same restrictions as a learner license, so you drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older beside you. That is what most people mean by a Texas learner license for adults. To get it, you pass the vision and knowledge tests, and if you are 18 through 24 you first complete a 6-hour adult driver education course.
Texas learner license for adults at a glance
| Detail | Ages 18 to 24 | Age 25 and older |
|---|---|---|
| Adult driver education | Required: a 6-hour course | Not required |
| Knowledge test | 70 percent to pass | 70 percent to pass |
| What you get to practice | Class C license with learner restrictions | Class C license with learner restrictions |
| Supervising driver | Licensed, 21 or older, at least 1 year of experience, beside you | Same |
| Before the driving test | Impact Texas Drivers certificate, dated within 90 days | Same |
| License fee | $33 for a Class C license, ages 18 to 84 | Same |
The age rules come from the DPS Apply for a Texas Driver License page. The restriction and the supervising-driver rules come from the Texas Driver Handbook (January 2026 revision) at dps.texas.gov.
Do adults need a permit test in Texas?
Yes. Every first-time applicant passes a written knowledge test, and the Texas permit test for adults is the same knowledge exam teens take. The handbook says you need 70 percent or better on any knowledge exam. DPS does not publish the number of questions.
Where you take it depends on your path. DPS says you can complete the testing requirements at a DPS office or with a third-party provider, and the handbook says completing certain driver education courses can exempt you from taking the Class C knowledge exam at a DPS office. Many adult courses include the exam, so ask your school before you enroll.
If you fail at DPS, the handbook says your application is held for 90 days. After 90 days or three failed exams, you start a new application and pay the fee again.
The Texas 6 hour adult driver education course
DPS requires a six-hour adult driver education course for everyone 18 through 24 applying for a first Texas license. If you are 25 or older, there is no driver education requirement. If you are 18 or older and surrendering a license from another state, the course is waived.
- Take it from a certified driving school, in a classroom or online. DPS lists both options.
- Check that the school is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (tdlr.texas.gov) before you pay.
- Prices are set by each school. The state does not publish a set price.
- Keep your certificate of completion. You bring it to the driver license office.
Even at 25 or older, a course is worth considering if you have never driven. It also may let you take the knowledge test with the school instead of at DPS, depending on the course.
Step by step: from no license to practicing
- Finish the course (ages 18 to 24)Complete the 6-hour adult course and keep the certificate.
- Gather documentsProof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, Texas residency and identity, plus your Social Security number.
- Fill out DL-14AThe driver license application. You can complete it online or at the office.
- Book a DPS appointmentAt the office you give a signature and thumbprints, take a photo and pass the vision exam.
- Pass the knowledge exam70 percent or better, unless your course already covered it.
- Practice with restrictionsDrive only with a licensed adult 21 or older beside you.
What to bring
- Completed application DL-14A.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence.
- Proof of Texas residency and identity.
- Your Social Security number.
- Your adult driver education certificate, if you are 18 to 24.
- Registration and insurance for each vehicle you own, or a statement that you do not own one.
- The application fee. DPS lists $33 for a Class C license at ages 18 to 84.
Rules while you practice
Your restricted license carries the same rules as a learner license. The handbook says the supervising driver must be at least 21, have at least one year of driving experience, and sit in the seat beside you. They cannot be intoxicated, asleep or busy with anything that keeps them from watching your driving. Unlike teens, adults have no six-month minimum holding period listed by DPS.
Getting the restriction removed: the driving test
- Watch the free Impact Texas Adult Drivers video from DPS and print the certificate. DPS says it must be dated within 90 days of your driving skills test.
- Book the driving test at DPS or with a third-party skills testing provider.
- Bring the printed certificate. An electronic copy is not accepted.
- Pass the test, then ask the driver license office about removing the restriction. The handbook mentions a $10 exam fee when removing restrictions, so confirm the current amount when you book.
FAQ
Is there a Texas learner license for adults?
Not by that name. Adults 18 and older are issued a Class C license with the same restrictions as a learner license, which lets them practice with a licensed adult 21 or older beside them.
Do I need a Texas permit test as an adult?
Yes. Adults pass the same knowledge exam, with 70 percent needed. Some adult driver education courses include it.
Who needs the Texas 6 hour adult driver education course?
Everyone 18 through 24 applying for a first Texas license. It is not required at 25 or older, and it is waived for new residents 18 or older surrendering an out-of-state license.
How much does it cost?
DPS lists $33 for a Class C license for ages 18 to 84. Course prices are set by each driving school.
Do adults have to wait six months before the driving test?
DPS lists the six-month hold for drivers under 18. We found no minimum holding period for adults on the DPS pages we checked.
