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Texas driving lesson · Your License to Drive

GDL phases & provisional license

A 3-minute lesson from the Texas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Your License to Drive
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
8, 9

Teens and young adults have the highest crash rates of all drivers, and crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Texas's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program eases applicants under 18 into driving in two phases: Phase One (learner license) and Phase Two (provisional license).

13%

Share of fatal crashes caused by young drivers, who are only 6.5% of all drivers

Handbook p. 8 ↗

Know the rule

Under the GDL program, every new driver license applicant must pass a driving exam at a driver license office or authorized testing facility.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
6 months

Minimum time holding a learner, hardship, or combined learner/hardship license before a provisional license

Handbook p. 8 ↗

Know the rule

If your license is suspended during Phase One, the six-month period is extended by the number of days of the suspension, because your license is invalid while suspended.

Handbook p. 8 ↗

Know the rule

Phase One does not apply to Class M (motorcycle) licenses. There is no minimum time you must hold a restricted motorcycle license before applying for a Class M license.

Handbook p. 8 ↗

Phase Two: until your 18th birthday you may not drive:

  • With more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member
  • Between midnight and 5:00 a.m., unless needed for work, a school-related activity, or a medical emergency
Handbook p. 9 ↗

Know the rule

All drivers under 18 may not use a wireless communication device while driving, including a hands-free device, except in an emergency.

Handbook p. 9 ↗

To get a provisional license you must:

  • Be at least 16 but not more than 18 years of age
  • Complete and pass driver education (classroom and behind-the-wheel), plus vision and driving exams
  • Have held a valid learner, hardship, or combination license for at least six months
  • Meet all other requirements for a renewal driver license applicant
Handbook p. 9 ↗

Know the rule

A provisional license is marked "PROVISIONAL" and expires on your 18th birthday.

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Teens moving to Texas with an out-of-state card

Teens moving to Texas with an out-of-state card
AgePresentsReceives
15 to under 18Valid out-of-state instruction permit (+ VOE)Phase One learner license
16 to under 18Valid out-of-state driver licensePhase Two provisional, after driving exam
Handbook p. 9 ↗

Know the rule

A learner license issued to a new resident from an out-of-state permit must be held six months from its issue date before Phase Two.

Handbook p. 8 ↗

Know the rule

Every license issued to a person under 21 is marked "UNDER 21".

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 17 with a provisional license. Two friends, ages 16 and 17 and not related to you, want a ride home. That's two non-family passengers under 21, and only one is allowed. Driving one friend plus your younger brother is fine, because family members don't count.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How long must a Texas learner license be held before a teen becomes eligible for a provisional license?
  1. Three months
  2. One year
  3. Thirty days
  4. Six months

Answer: Six months

Phase One requires holding a learner license at least six months before Phase Two eligibility.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
A learner license is suspended for 20 days during Phase One. What happens to the six-month holding period?
  1. It's extended by 20 days
  2. It restarts from zero
  3. It's shortened by 20 days
  4. It's unaffected

Answer: It's extended by 20 days

Any suspension during Phase One extends the six-month holding period by the number of suspended days.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
What restriction applies to a provisional license holder regarding passengers?
  1. No more than two passengers of any age
  2. No passengers at all, ever
  3. No more than one passenger under 21 who isn't family
  4. No more than three passengers under 18

Answer: No more than one passenger under 21 who isn't family

Phase Two limits a provisional driver to one non-family passenger under 21.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
A provisional license holder needs to drive at 1 a.m. to get home from a closing shift at work. Is this allowed?
  1. No, the midnight curfew has no exceptions
  2. Yes, but only with a parent in the car
  3. No, only school activities are exempt
  4. Yes, work is a curfew exception

Answer: Yes, work is a curfew exception

Phase Two's midnight-to-5-a.m. restriction allows exceptions for work, school activities, or a medical emergency.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
May a 17-year-old provisional license holder use a hands-free cell phone while driving?
  1. Yes, hands-free devices are always allowed
  2. No, except in an emergency
  3. Yes, but only for GPS navigation
  4. No, unless a parent is in the car

Answer: No, except in an emergency

Drivers under 18 may not use any wireless device, even hands-free, except in an emergency.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
Which best describes the GDL program's two phases?
  1. Phase One is age 15; Phase Two is age 21
  2. Phase One applies to CDLs only
  3. Both phases apply equally to Class M licenses
  4. Phase One is the learner license; Phase Two is the provisional license

Answer: Phase One is the learner license; Phase Two is the provisional license

GDL Phase One applies to learner licenses and Phase Two applies to provisional licenses.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
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