How to Get a Provisional License in Texas
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the minimum driving age in Texas is 15. A driver's license makes it easier for teens who have jobs after school and during the summer months to earn and save money. The Graduated Driver License Program works by having teens start out with a learner's license, graduate to a provisional license and finally become eligible for a license with no restrictions.
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Things You'll Need
- Application for Driver License or Identification Card
- Proof of identity
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Social Security card
- Vehicle registration
- Liability insurance
- Proof that you passed the written, driving and vision examinations
- Current driver's license fee
- Completion Certification
Instructions
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Fill out the Application for Driver License or Identification Card, which you can download from the Texas Department of Public Safety. You can do this at 15 years of age.
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Locate the Texas Driver's License Office nearest you using the Texas Department of Public Safety's Texas Driver License Office Map.
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Pass the written, driving, and vision examinations and bring the documents you were given after completing each exam with you to the driver's license office as proof. The driver's license office can set up the exam appointments for you if you haven't completed them yet.
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Bring your completed driver's license application, proof of identity (birth certificate, U.S. passport or court order with both your name and date of birth on it), proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), your Social Security card, vehicle registration, liability insurance documentation and the current (2011) driver's license fee of $16 with you to the driver's license office.
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Allow a driver's license employee to photograph you and collect your fingerprints. The employee will then issue you a beginner's license.
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Maintain a valid beginner's license until the age of 16. You must not have your license suspended or revoked. If that happens, you will need to continue with the beginner's license for an additional six months once the suspension has cleared without any further incidents.
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Submit a completion certification at your local driver's license office to move on to a provisional license. The completion certification is a document that is mailed to you once you have completed a Driver's Education course. Driver's Education courses are offered at most public schools.
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Tips & Warnings
Your provisional license will list a date in which the provisional restrictions will drop. You can continue to use that license, but you should consider applying for a new license that will remove the provisional license information.
Do not use any wireless devices while operating the vehicle. This is prohibited for provisional license holders.
Do not have more than one passenger under the age of 21 in your car unless you are related to them. This is another restriction for provisional license holders.
References
Resources
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