Learner license and the graduated license program

Key points

1. To get a learner license you must be at least 15 but no more than 18 and finish the classroom part of driver education.

   Source: Handbook p. 1

   “Be at least 15 but no more than 18 years of age 2. Complete the classroom portion of a driver education course, vision exam, and knowledge exam”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 1

2. A learner license says Learner License on the front and expires on the minor's 18th birthday.

   Source: Handbook p. 1

   “A learner license will indicate “Learner License” on the front of the card and expire on the minor’s 18th birthday.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 1

3. New drivers under 18 must hand in a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form.

   Source: Handbook p. 1

   “If you are under 18 years of age and applying for your first Texas driver license, learner license, or provisional license, you must provide evidence that you:”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 1

4. A VOE may not be dated more than 30 days before you apply during the school year, or 90 days in summer.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “The VOE may not be dated more than 30 days before the date of application for a license during the school year or more than 90 days during the summer.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

5. Phase One: drivers under 18 must hold a learner or hardship license for at least six months before a provisional license.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “Phase One: This phase requires applicants under 18 years of age to hold a valid learner, hardship, or combination of learner and hardship license for a minimum of six months prior to the issuance of a provisional license.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

6. Phase One does not apply to Class M motorcycle licenses.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “Phase One requirements do not apply to Class M (motorcycle) licenses.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

7. A provisional license, for ages 16 to 18, carries the Phase Two restrictions, is marked PROVISIONAL and expires on the 18th birthday.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “A provisional license is a driver license issued to persons 16 to 18 years of age that has the Phase Two GDL driving restrictions applied. The license will be marked “PROVISIONAL” and expire on the license holder’s 18th birthday.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 3

8. A hardship license can be issued when not having one would cause unusual economic hardship or for family illness, disability or death.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “Failure to issue the hardship license will result in an unusual economic hardship for the family of the minor applicant 2. The hardship license is necessary due to an illness, disability, or death of a family member”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

9. Everyone younger than 25 must complete an approved driver education course.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “Individuals younger than 25 years of age are required to successfully complete an approved driver education course.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 7

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Texas practice test

1. 1. What are the two phases of Texas's Graduated Driver License program?

   1. Phase One for motorcycles and Phase Two for commercial licenses
   2. Phase One for learner licenses and Phase Two for provisional licenses
   3. Phase One for vehicle registration and Phase Two for insurance
   4. Phase One for adults and Phase Two for senior drivers
   Show answer

   Phase One for learner licenses and Phase Two for provisional licenses. Texas divides the Graduated Driver License program into two stages. Phase One applies to learner licenses, and Phase Two applies to provisional licenses. The program is designed to phase in driving privileges for applicants under 18, so motorcycle, commercial, registration, insurance, adult, and senior classifications do not describe its two phases. Remember the progression in order: supervised learning comes first, followed by the provisional stage with additional restrictions before full privileges.

2. 2. When does a Texas learner license issued to a minor expire?

   1. On the minor’s 18th birthday
   2. On the driver’s 21st birthday
   3. Six months after issuance
   4. After the first road test
   Show answer

   On the minor’s 18th birthday. A Texas learner license issued to a minor expires on that minor’s 18th birthday. The six-month period belongs to the minimum time a learner, hardship, or combination license must be held before Phase Two eligibility, not the card expiration date. The age 21 choice confuses another licensing threshold, and passing a road test does not determine the printed expiration. Separate the expiration date from the waiting period for the next licensing phase.

3. 3. What kind of license carries the Phase Two GDL driving restrictions?

   1. A standard unrestricted license
   2. A commercial learner permit
   3. A provisional license
   4. A motorcycle license with no restrictions
   Show answer

   A provisional license. The handbook defines a provisional license as a driver license issued to persons 16 to 18 years of age with Phase Two graduated driver license restrictions applied. It is marked provisional and expires on the holder’s 18th birthday. A standard unrestricted license does not identify this teen phase, a commercial learner permit is different, and the motorcycle choice incorrectly removes restrictions. Look for the word provisional when the question describes Phase Two passenger and time limits.

Source: the Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 1: Your License to Drive. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.