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WHEN CAN I DRIVE?
GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENSE

The Texas Graduated Driver License (GDL) was implemented as a result of Senate Bill 577. This law changed original licensing requirements for persons under the age of 18. GDL creates two phases of driving requirements for minors. The effective date of this change in the law is January 1, 2002. Basic requirements for obtaining a license have not changed.

 

Phase One:
Applicants under the age of 18 must hold an instructional permit (learner's permit) for a minimum of six months prior to receiving a provisional Class A, B or C driver's license. In addition, the minimum age of the person who must accompany any instruction permit holder while driving is 21 years of age.

Once the student has held a valid instruction permit or hardship license for a minimum of 6 months, has reached the age of 16 and has completed both the classroom and driving portions of driver's education, they are eligible to graduate to Phase Two.


Phase Two:

Phase Two restricts the driving privileges of teens under the age of 18 for 6 months after receiving their Class C driver's license (your real Provisional Drivers License!) These teens may not operate a vehicle with more than one passenger in the car under the age of 21 who is not a family member.

In addition, they may not drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless it is necessary for the teen to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency.

During the first 12 months of having their Provisional License, the driver may NOT use a cell phone in any way, dialing, talking on or texting.

The license restriction will state: TRC 545 424 applies until mm/dd/yy. This date indicates when the second phase of the graduated driver's license will expire for that individual. Upon completion of the 6 month period, the above time and/or passenger restriction no longer apply. The licensee may apply for a duplicate license at a DPS office to remove this restriction. A fee is required to obtain a duplicate license. If not, the restriction will be removed at the time the applicant renews the license on their next birthday, provided the Phase Two, 6 month time has lapsed.


Provisional Driver's License

All original licenses, other than an instruction permit, issued to persons under 18 years of age will be marked "Provisional." The license will be vertical and will be dated to expire on the applicant's next birthday occurring after the date of issuance. A fee is required to obtain this license. The renewal fee is required for each one year of renewal period. No renewal notice will be sent as it is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain a verification of enrollment and attendance from their school. If the instruction permit or the driver's license is not due for renewal a fee is required for a duplicate instruction permit or duplicate license (i.e. lost license, change of address, removal of GDL restriction.)


This 'n That
There are 46 states and the District of Columbia which have some form of a graduated driver's license system. Studies have proven that students become better and safer drivers when they learn to drive with few distractions.