In Texas, a learner’s permit—also known as a learner license—is the first step in the state’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. It allows teens as young as 15 years old to begin learning to drive under supervision. With a learner’s permit, the driver may only operate a vehicle while accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old and seated in the front passenger seat.
To qualify for a Texas learner’s permit, teens must first complete the classroom portion of a state-approved driver’s education course and pass a written knowledge exam covering Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. Once issued, the learner license must be held for at least six months, during which the teen must log at least 30 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
During this phase, teens must avoid traffic violations and maintain a clean driving record. Completing this stage prepares new drivers for the next step in the GDL process: the provisional license, which comes with fewer restrictions but still limits certain high-risk activities like late-night driving and carrying young passengers.
Texas’s structured permit system is designed to help young drivers gain confidence and skill behind the wheel in a gradual, supervised manner.
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program Stages
Texas uses a two-phase Graduated Driver License (GDL) system to help young drivers gain experience behind the wheel safely and gradually.
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Phase One – Learner License
The learner license is available to teens aged 15 to 17 who have completed a state-approved driver education course. This license allows the teen to drive only when accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old and seated in the front passenger seat. The learner must hold this license for at least six months and be at least 16 years old before progressing to the next phase.
Phase Two – Provisional License
This license grants teens the ability to drive without supervision but still includes key limitations. For the first 12 months, the driver may not have more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle unless they are family members. Additionally, drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any wireless communication devices, including hands-free technology, except in emergencies. Driving is also not allowed between midnight and 5 a.m., unless for work, school, or medical needs. This provisional period continues until the driver turns 18, after which they may obtain a full, unrestricted license.
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About the Author Brian White
Brian White earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. As a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, Brian represents clients throughout Houston in cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, wrongful death, and more.
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