In Texas you can get a learner license at 15, and the knowledge test needs a score of 70 percent. Rules and fees change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything on the official site. The official source is the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The handbook copy we reviewed was older, so confirm details before you act on them.
Age and the knowledge test
The learner license is available at 15 and is held for six months. The knowledge test requires 70 percent to pass. One fee covers three tries within 90 days, according to the handbook we reviewed. If your first try goes poorly, that gives you room, but do not count on needing it.
Driver education
Drivers under 25 need driver education. Programs and options vary, so check DPS for what counts and how to prove completion.
Learner and provisional rules
- Your supervising adult must be 21 or older.
- The provisional license bans driving from midnight to 5 am, with exceptions.
- Only one non-family passenger under 21 is allowed.
- Zero tolerance applies for any detectable alcohol under 21.
Two numbers to memorize
The handbook says to park at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant and to signal at least 100 feet before a turn. Both are easy test questions if you review them.
Write each rule on a card with one example. For the 100 foot signal rule, picture about a third of a football field.
How to study
Texas has long chapters, so break the manual into pieces. Study one topic per day, take a short practice quiz, and note what you missed. Pay extra attention to traffic signs, right of way, and the rules about alcohol and young drivers.
A simple study plan
- Read the Texas Driver Handbook in short sessions, one chapter at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Take practice tests and explain every wrong answer out loud.
- Repeat your weak topics, such as right of way or parking distances.
- Sleep well the night before and bring your documents.
Confirm current fees, documents and online options with Texas DPS at dps.texas.gov.
Tips for parents and guardians
Parents can make a big difference without taking over. Sit down with your teen once a week and ask them to explain a rule in their own words. If they can teach it back to you, they probably know it.
Look at the practice driving log together, plan a mix of daytime, night and bad weather drives, and keep the first drives in quiet places such as empty parking lots or calm neighborhood streets. Stay patient. Everyone is nervous at the start.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying only signs and skipping the numbers and rules.
- Using a manual from a different state.
- Waiting until the night before to study.
- Rushing through questions without reading every answer.
- Forgetting to check the document list for your TX visit.
On test day
Arrive early, bring everything on the official list, and take a few slow breaths before you begin. Read each question twice. If a question is confusing, move on to the next one if the test allows it and come back later. Staying calm is part of passing.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the kinds of topics the test covers.