Chapter 1:
Your License to Drive
Texas Driver Handbook
Part 3: The Driving Exam
The driving exam is given only after all other exams are passed and evidence
of financial responsibility is presented or the vehicle is exempt under the Texas
Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act. The type of vehicle used for the driv-
ing exam must match the class of license on the application. No one less than
18 years of age is exempt from taking the driving exam.
Individuals may take a driving exam at a driver license office or through a
third party skills testing (TPST) school. The TPST program started September
1, 2014. The program permits certain schools to administer the non-commer-
cial driving exam. Individuals who take and pass the driving exam through an
approved TPST school must present the sealed envelope prepared by the TPST
school in order for the exam to be waived at the driver license office.
Individuals who complete the DPS-approved motorcycle operator training
course are not required to take a driving exam for a Class M license if the
person already has a valid, unrestricted Texas license. Individuals less than 18
years of age must pass the motorcycle driving exam.
Additionally, the driving exam is not required for anyone applying for a learner license.
A $10 exam fee is required when changing from a lower to a higher class license or when removing restrictions from a license. The
cost of adding a Class M to an existing license is $15.
Description of the Driving Exam
During the driving exam, you will not be asked to do anything illegal. You must follow all of the instructions given by the customer
service representative (CSR). Do not carry on a conversation during the driving exam.
If you are not eligible to drive in Texas, a licensed driver must drive the car to the driver license office and exam area. If you are not
issued a driver license then the licensed driver should also drive you away from the driver license office.
Upon completion of the driving exam, the CSR will explain all driving errors and let you know how to correct those errors.
Your application for a license will not be approved if you:
1. Violate the law
2. Refuse to follow instructions
3. Drive dangerously or have a crash
4. Have more than 30 points deducted on the driving exam
All drivers are graded on four basic skills, regardless of the type of driving exam.
1. Control – Your ability to make your car do what you want it to do
2. Observation – Your ability to see what other traffic is doing and other things that may create problems in traffic
3. Positioning – Your ability to drive in your lane
4. Signaling – Your ability to use turn signals as required
You may be graded on your performance on the following skills so it is good to practice before taking the driving exam.
a. Parallel parking (you may use the back-up camera on your vehicle for parallel parking; however, the use of an automated
vehicle parking function will not be allowed)
b. Quick stop – You may be asked to stop your car as quickly as possible at about 20 mph without skidding your tires
c. Backing – Your ability to back the car for a distance of about 60 feet at a slow rate of speed and as straight and smoothly as
possible. Turn and look back at all times while backing or you may use the back-up camera and mirrors on your vehicle while
backing; however, the use of an automated vehicle parking function will not be allowed
d. Stop signs
e. Traffic signals
f. Use of clutch – On standard transmissions, hold the clutch all the way down when starting the motor, shifting gears, when
stopping, and once your speed drops below 10 mph. Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch
g. Intersection observance – Use the proper lane; slow down and look both ways before entering the intersection
h. Turns
i. Right-of-way
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Examples of Vehicles for Driving Exam
Class A
Test in
Class B
Test in
Class C
Test in
Class M
or endorsement
to existing license
Chapter 1: Your License to Drive
Texas Driver Handbook
j. Following, passing, and proper lane observance
k. Posture – Keep hands on steering wheel; don’t rest your elbow on the window
Pass or Fail Driving Exam
If you do not pass the driving exam, you will need to schedule time for another driving exam. If you pass the driving exam, always
carry your license with you when driving and upon request, show it to:
1. Any peace officer, sheriff, constable, judge, justice of the peace, or state trooper
2. Anyone with whom you are involved in a crash
Penalties for Driving Without a License
During a stop, a law enforcement officer will determine if you have a valid driver license as required.
Table 7: Penalties for Driving Without a License
Conviction
Penalty*
1st conviction
A fine of up to $200.
2nd conviction in one year
A fine of $25 to $200.
Driving without a license, operating a vehicle without insurance at the time of the
offense, and driver causes a crash resulting in serious bodily injury or death
Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $4,000
and/or confinement in jail for not more than 365 days.
*Additional suspensions and surcharges may apply.
Restrictions Placed on a License
A restriction may be placed on your license. This is not meant to interfere with your driving but to make you a better driver.
Following is a complete list of the restriction codes. This information is also available on our website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
DriverLicense/endrsRestrictions.htm.
Table 8: Restriction Codes
Code
Description
Code
Description
A
With corrective lenses
P1
For Class M TRC 454.424 until MM/DD/YY
B
Licensed operator front seat 21 or over
P2
To/from work/school
C
Daytime only
P3
To/from work
D
Not to exceed 45 mph
P4
To/from school
E
No manual transmission equipped CMV
P5
To/from work/school or LOFS 21 or over
F
Must hold valid learner license to MM/DD/YY
P6
To/from work or LOFS 21 or over
G
TRC 545.424 applies until MM/DD/YY
P7
To/from school or LOFS 21 or over
H
Vehicle not to exceed 26,000 lbs GVWR
P8
With telescopic lens
I
Motorcycle not to exceed 250cc
P9
LOFS 21 or over bus only
J
Licensed motorcycle operator 21 or over in sight
P10
LOFS 21 or over school bus only
K
CDL/CLP Instrastate commerce only
P11
Bus not to exceed 26,000 lbs GVWR
L
No airbrake equipped CMV
P12
Passenger CMV restrict to Class C only
M
No Class A passenger vehicle
P13
LOFS 21 or over in vehicle equipped w/ airbrake
N
No Class A or B passenger vehicle
P14
Operation Class B exempt vehicle authorized
O
No tractor trailer CMV
P15
Operation Class A exempt vehicle authorized
Q
LOFS 21 or over, vehicle above Class B
P16
If CMV, school buses interstate
R
LOFS 21 or over, vehicle above Class C
P17
If CMV, government vehicle interstate
S
Outside rearview mirror or hearing aid
P18
If CMV, only transport personal property (interstate)
T
Automatic transmission
P19
If CMV, only transport corpse/sick/injured (interstate)
U
Applicable prosthetic devices
P20
If CMV, privately transport passengers (interstate)
V
Medical Variance documentation required
P21
If CMV, fire/rescue (interstate)
W
Power steering
P22
If CMV, intra-city zone drivers (interstate)
X
No cargo in CMV tank vehicle
P23
If CMV, custom harvesting (interstate)
Y
Valid Texas vision or limb waiver required
P24
If CMV, transporting bees/hives (interstate)
Z
No full airbrake equipped
P25
If CMV, use in oil/water well service/drill
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