What are the tests for Texas Driver's License Road?

How do I get a driver's license in Houston, Texas?

• Hi I am going to move to Houston, Texas at the end of this year. I will be 17 when I move there so I know I will be old enough to get a license. What I want to know is what exactly do I have to do to get a license to drive there? Please be super specific and include your own experience when you were getting a license there for the first time ever. This will be my first time ever having a driver's license. So what I want to know is can I just walk right in and take the knowledge test and also since I am applying for a learner's permit will I take a road test or just get the license and leave? Another question is will they give me a temporary license right after the written test and then send the real one later? Also how long will I have to have the learner's before I am able to get the full license? Or can I take the road test for the full license anytime? Lastly will they ask me what kind of car I will be driving, like whether or not it will be a manual or automatic car? Please be as specific as possible and include everything that will happen from the first time you walk in to the end after you get your learners and also include things that will be useful that I might not know. Oh and will I have to take driving lessons or can I have my parents teach me, in other words can I just take the test and do everything without taking lessons and just learning from my parents? Last question are the practice tests online anything like the real written test? I have passed all the online practice tests for driving in Houston. And usually the tests online have around 30 questions is it the same case for the real tests? Thank you in advance for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

• Answer:

  I never took the road test, but I did get my permit at age 17. I will answer your questions the best I can. You will have to take your written test first. After getting your permit, you have to wait six months before taking the road test. If you wait until you're 18 to take the written test, you can take the road test whenever you feel prepared. But, there is a law that goes into effect on March 1, 2010 that requires adults under the age of 25 to take 6 hours of driving lessons at an accredited driving school before taking the road test. Your parents can teach you how to drive, but they cannot administer or waive the test. It has to be done at a DPS office. This is a new law. Here's my permit story: I did the parent-taught education. After completing the required hours, I went to the DPS office for my permit. I stood in a long line, took the vision test (reading a line off of the eye chart), and was handed a form to fill out. After filling out the form, I had to stand in another long line. I gave the lady my form, proof of identity, school enrollment information, and proof that I completed the required hours. She assigned me to a computer where I took the written test. I don't remember how many questions were on the test...probably 25 or 30 questions, multiple choice. It took me about 10-15 minutes to complete the test, and it was very easy. I never took any practice tests over the Internet. The handbook is a very useful guide when studying for the written test. I recommend taking the review quiz in the back of the handbook. After taking the test, I was asked to sign my permit and I was free to go. My first permit was a paper permit. When I had it renewed at age 18, they gave me a temporary paper permit and sent me the real one later. My permit looks like a regular license, except there is a restriction printed on the back that says I am required to drive with a licensed driver 21 or older. My biggest piece of advice is to learn how to drive as soon as you can. My parents signed me up for parent-taught drivers education after I turned 17. Both of them worked full time, so they weren't able to teach me how to drive and I didn't complete the required hours for getting my license. Once I went to college, it was too difficult to squeeze driving lessons into my busy schedule. I'm in my 20s and I still don't have a license. Now that I finally have more time on my hands, I plan on signing up for driving lessons next week. Good luck with everything!