Starting March 1, 2010, driver license applicants between the ages of 18 and 24 must complete an approved driver education course and a driving skills test to become a licensed driver in Texas. Applicants must submit a certificate proving that they successfully completed a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency.

Senate Bill 1317, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature in 2009, created this requirement and authorized the development of a six-hour adult driver education course to meet the needs of this group of drivers.

Applicants who present proof of successful completion of the approved course will not be required to submit to the written highway signs and traffic laws test required under section 521.161 of the Texas Transportation Code, but must still pass the driving skills examination. A driving safety course or drug and alcohol driving awareness program are not acceptable as driver education courses for this requirement. A list of approved courses can be found here: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/drive/activede.html.

This change in the law does not affect applicants ages 15 to 17, who are still required to complete a driver education course to be licensed.