Foster Youth Justice Project

I’m under 18. What do I need to do to get my driver’s license?

To get a license, you must provide:

A DE-964 Form or DE-964E Form, completed by your driver training program. This proves that you completed the driver training course.
EITHER:

A Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form CDD-104, completed by your high school. This proves that you are currently enrolled in and attending school. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/safedriver/forms/
CDD-104Revised0104.doc.

Proof of your social security number. The best way to prove your social security number is to bring a copy of your social security card. [ Getting a Social Security Card ] If you do not have a copy of your social security card, but you do have health, educational, or other records that show your social security number, those records can also be used as proof.
Proof of your identification. The requirements for proof of identification to get a driver’s license are the same as the requirements for proof of identification to get a state-issued identification card. [ Getting a Texas State ID Card ]
Your parent or legal guardian must sign the form authorizing you to get a license.
You must have held an instruction permit for at least six months. You must bring your permit when you go to get your license.
You must be at least 16 years old.
You must pay a $5 fee.

How do I get an instruction permit

To get an instruction permit, you must:

Be at least 15 years old;
Pass a written test;
Pass a vision test;
Provide proof of your identity and social security number;
Provide proof that you have completed at least six hours (More hours may be required, depending on the type of driver training program you use.) of a state approved driver training course; and
Your parent or legal guardian MUST sign the form authorizing you to get an instruction permit.

How do I get enrolled in a driver training course?

You must be at least 14 years old to begin a driver training course.
You must be at least 15 years old and have an instruction permit to begin the in-car portion of a driver training course.
State approved driver training courses are available through private driving schools (list available at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/drive/activede.html ) and some public schools (list available at http://www.tea.state.tex.us/drive/publicde.html ). Each program has its own individual requirements, schedule, and fees.
The state also approves of "parent taught" driver training courses. "Parent taught" courses can be taught by your parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian. If one of these people agrees to teach you, they must follow a specific state-approved curriculum. They also must keep track of the time spent and lessons covered. More information on "parent taught" courses is available at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/
driver_licensing_control/parenttaught.htm and http://www.tea.state.tx.us/drive/PTfaqs.html#items .
A useful FAQ is available at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/drive/defaq_teen1.html .

Do I need insurance?

If you own a car, you MUST show proof that you have insurance for that car and that its registration is up to date in order to get your license.
In Texas, all cars on the road must be insured. This requirement attaches to cars, not to individual drivers. This means that if you will be borrowing other people’s cars, rather than buying your own, you are not legally required to buy insurance.
You MUST double-check the insurance attached to any car that you drive. Some insurance policies only cover the car’s owners. Some insurance policies cover the car’s owners and a list of a few specific other people. Some insurance policies cover anyone who the owner lets drive the car. You MUST make sure that you are covered by the insurance policy attached to a car BEFORE you start driving it.
What happens if I’m driving a car and its insurance policy does not cover me?

If you are in an accident, you will be personally responsible for paying for any damages. This could be very expensive. If you do not have enough money to pay right away, the court might order you to pay in installments.
Driving without the necessary insurance is a criminal offense. If you are convicted, you might have to

What form do I need to have my parent or guardian to sign, and where do I get one?

Your parent or legal guardian must sign the DL-14a form. The only way to get this form is to go into a driver’s license office.

Can my parent or guardian sign the form ahead of time?

There are two acceptable ways for your parent or legal guardian to sign the form.

Your parent or legal guardian comes with you to the driver’s license office when you go to get your instruction permit or license. They sign the form when the officer tells them to.
Your parent or legal guardian may sign the form ahead of time only if they get their signature notarized. This means that they take the form to a notary, sign it in front of the notary, and (usually) pay a fee. There is a section on the back of the form dealing with notarized signatures. Pre-signed forms that are not notarized are NOT accepted.

Who can sign as my legal guardian?

Normally, only the person or agency that has been appointed as your managing conservator can sign legal documents for you.
If you are under the managing conservatorship of DFPS, there are special rules about how to get the required signature on your driver’s license application.

Bring a copy of the court order appointing the state as your managing conservator with you when you go to turn in the application.
Your application must be signed by your caseworker’s supervisor or someone else from DFPS who ranks higher than your caseworker’s supervisor.

Once I have my permit or license, are there still restrictions on how, where, and when I can drive?

Yes, although these restrictions eventually fade away.

When you have your instruction permit, you may only drive with a licensed driver who is 21 years old or older.
When you first get your driver’s license, it is “provisional.” While your license is provisional, you may NOT

Drive a car between midnight and 5 am unless it is necessary for employment, school, school activities, or a medical emergency, or unless there is a licensed driver over the age of 21 with you.
Drive with more than one passenger younger than 21 unless that passenger is a family member, or unless there is a licensed driver over the age of 21 with you.

More information on graduated licensing is available at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/
public_information/pr122101.htm .