So, you’re 17 years old and asking yourself: Should I wait to get my Texas drivers license until I’m 18?
In Texas, waiting that extra year can be a big deal. It can affect the education requirements, cost, driver skill level, and more. Of course, getting your license sooner means you can get where you need to go on your own. But that freedom comes at an expense.
If you’re a teen who’s considering your drivers license options, it’s time to explore the benefits of waiting vs. not waiting, and how the process varies between the two.
Quick Comparison
The pros of waiting to get your license at 18
Cheaper
Faster
Easier
The pros of getting your license at 17
You’ll have your license sooner.
You’ll be able to learn the rules of the road faster and first-hand.
Getting a Texas Drivers License When You’re a Teenager
The majority of legal adults have a drivers license, but it’s a privilege that can begin at a younger age. Texas has a graduated drivers license program for teens under 18 years old. You start with a Learner's License and then move on to a Provisional Driver's License after six months. How teens get these licenses varies because there isn’t one single process.
If you’re younger than 18 years old, you have four options for getting your license:
Option 1. Wait Until You’re 18
Once you hit 18, you will be eligible for adult drivers ed. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to legally practice driving until you go to the DPS and apply for your optional adult permit. If you feel ready to take the driving exam, then you can go ahead and get your license.
What’s the cost? The total will run you about $74. Here’s how it breaks down:
$30 for the Texas adult drivers ed course
$33 to apply for a driver license if you are already prepared for the driving exam (OR $25 for the optional permit)
$11 for a replacement driver license (expiration date stays the same)
Why would you need a replacement drivers license? Well, beyond losing it, a replacement may be needed if your address changes. Or your name changes. You’ll also need another drivers license if you test to get driving restrictions removed.
Have questions? Check out our Texas Adult Drivers Ed FAQ.
Option 2. Take Parent Taught Drivers Ed
If you have an eligible parent and do not want to wait until you're 18 to get your permit, you can take Parent Taught Drivers Ed. With this option, you will be able to get your permit to practice driving in about one week (possibly less). You must hold your permit for six months before applying for your provisional license. If you turn 18 before six months pass, you can apply sooner.
What’s the cost? The total will run you about $102. Here’s how it breaks down:
$20 for a packet from the state
$55 for the Texas parent taught drivers ed course
$16 DPS permit fee for minors
$11 DPS license fee (for a replacement once you move to a provisional drivers license)
Need more details? Check out our post on how Parent Taught Drivers Ed works.
Option 3. Sign Up for Traditional Driver Training School
If you don’t have an eligible parent or guardian (or maybe you decided it was best to get professional instruction) driver training school is another possibility. The biggest issue is that it’s pricey. You also have to figure out a way to and from the school for each classroom course and driving session.
What’s the cost? The total will run you about $377-447. Here’s how it breaks down:
$350-420 for drivers ed package with classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
$50-200 for classroom courses only
$30-55 an hour for each behind-the-wheel instruction session (14 hours total required)
$16 DPS permit fee for minors
$11 DPS driver license fee (for a replacement once you move to a provisional drivers license)
Option 4: Take Drivers Ed at Your High School
This used to be the way most teens learned to drive. However, these days it’s a rarity for a high school to have a drivers ed program. The major benefits are that it’s part of your school curriculum and there’s no cost for the course.
What’s the cost? The total will run you about $27. Here’s how it breaks down:
$16 DPS permit fee for minors
$11 DPS driver license fee (for a replacement once you move to a provisional drivers license)
There you have it! Four options for getting a Texas drivers license in your teen years. One other factor you may want to keep in mind is that research shows people who begin driving before the age of 18 tend to have fewer fender benders. Fewer accidents mean lower auto insurance rates, and that difference can really add up over time.
So, do your wallet a favor and sign up for a Texas drivers ed course to become a safer teen driver.
This was updated 4/14/22