Texas Driver Permit — Core Terms & Road Rules | PassProfessor

Studying for the Texas driver license knowledge test? This free flashcard deck from PassProfessor covers the core terms and road rules that show up again and again: the Graduated Driver License phases, learner and provisional licenses, Texas speed limits, right-of-way, sign colors and shapes, railroad crossings, Move Over rules, BAC limits and zero tolerance for minors, and child safety seat requirements. Every card is a short, plain-language definition written by PassProfessor, drawn from the PassProfessor Texas driver permit practice bank, which is built around the Texas Driver Handbook. Use these cards to learn the vocabulary first, then test yourself under real exam conditions. When you are ready for full timed practice with complete questions, take the free Texas driver permit practice test from PassProfessor at https://passprofessor.com/quizzes/texas-driver-permit-practice-exam/?utm_source=knowt&utm_medium=flashcards&utm_campaign=texas-driver-permit and keep drilling the topics you miss until the rules feel automatic.

Texas learner license

A practice license for applicants at least 15 but under 18 who finished the classroom phase of driver education and passed vision and knowledge exams.

Graduated Driver License (GDL)

Texas's two-phase program for drivers under 18 that phases in full privileges through learner and provisional licenses.

GDL Phase One

Hold a learner or hardship license at least six months before a provisional license can be issued.

GDL Phase Two: passenger limit

A young driver may carry no more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.

GDL Phase Two: night hours

Driving is prohibited from midnight to 5:00 a.m. except for work, school activities, or a medical emergency.

Provisional license (Texas)

Issued to drivers ages 16 to 18 who completed driver education, the exams, and six months on a learner or hardship license.

Hardship license (Texas)

A license DPS may issue to a minor when denial would cause unusual family economic hardship or a vocational program requires driving.

Verification of Enrollment (VOE)

Proof a teen under 18 attends school, such as 80 days of attendance in the prior fall or spring semester.

Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) course

A required distracted-driving course every applicant must complete for their age group before taking the driving exam.

Texas knowledge exam passing score

A score of 70 percent or better is required to pass any Texas knowledge exam.

Class C license (Texas)

Covers a single vehicle under 26,001 pounds GVWR towing a trailer up to 10,000 pounds GVWR; it never covers motorcycles.

Class M license (Texas)

The license class required to legally operate a motorcycle in Texas.

Autocycle (Texas)

A three-wheeled motor vehicle with a steering wheel and seats the operator does not straddle; covered by a Class C license.

New resident deadline (Texas)

After moving to Texas, a driver exchanging a valid out-of-state license has 90 days to get a Texas license.

Annual vehicle inspection (Texas)

Every Texas-registered vehicle, motorcycles included, must pass inspection each year at an official inspection station.

Registration sticker (Texas)

One windshield sticker serves as proof of both vehicle registration and a passed inspection.

Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)

A passing inspection report stays valid for registration purposes for 90 days from the inspection month.

Minimum tire tread depth (Texas)

Tires must be in safe condition with tread at least 2/32 of an inch deep.

Foot brake standard (Texas)

Required brakes must stop a car within 25 feet when traveling at 20 mph.

Minimum liability insurance (Texas)

At least $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage — the 30/60/25 minimums.

Right-of-way principle (Texas)

Right-of-way is something given, not taken; yield even when another driver breaks the rules.

Uncontrolled intersection (Texas)

With no signs or signals, yield to a vehicle that entered first or is approaching from your right.

T-intersection rule (Texas)

A street ending at a through street must stop, then yield to traffic on the through street.

Frontage road right-of-way (Texas)

Frontage-road drivers yield to vehicles entering the frontage road from the highway or leaving it to enter the highway.

Flashing yellow arrow

You may turn left only after yielding the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

Steady yellow light

The light is about to turn red; stop before the crosswalk if you can do so safely.

Flashing yellow light

Slow down and proceed with caution; it never requires the full stop that flashing red demands.

Signal distance before a turn (Texas)

Signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning or stopping.

Railroad stop distance (Texas)

When a stop is required at a grade crossing, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.

Crossbuck (Texas)

The large white X-shaped sign at every railroad crossing; a small plaque shows the number of tracks when there is more than one.

Sign color: orange

Orange signs warn of construction and maintenance work ahead.

Sign color: brown

Brown signs guide drivers to public recreation and scenic areas.

Sign shape: pennant

A sideways pennant-shaped sign gives advance warning of a no-passing zone.

Sign shape: pentagon

A five-sided pentagon sign marks school advance warnings and school crossings.

Sign shape: round

A round sign is the advance warning that a railroad crossing is ahead.

Advisory speed sign

Shows the highest speed at which you can safely travel around the curve ahead.

Center left-turn lane (Texas)

A shared center lane entered only to slow or stop for a left turn; never use it for passing or through travel.

Stop line rule (Texas)

Stop behind a painted stop line; where none exists at an intersection, stop before the crosswalk.

Work zone fines (Texas)

Traffic fines double for violations in a construction or maintenance zone when workers are present.

Move Over law (Texas)

Passing a stopped emergency or service vehicle with lights on: change lanes, or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit.

School bus stop fine (Texas)

A first conviction for passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights carries a fine of $500 to $1,250.

Alley speed limit (Texas)

Fifteen mph is the maximum speed limit in an alley.

Unnumbered highway speed limit (Texas)

Sixty mph for passenger cars on an unnumbered highway outside an urban district.

Limited-access highway speeds (Texas)

Many Texas limited-access highways post limits from 75 mph up to 85 mph; always obey the posted limit.

Parking near a traffic signal (Texas)

Do not park within 30 feet on the approach to a stop sign, yield sign, or flashing signal.

Parking near a railroad crossing (Texas)

Parking is prohibited within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.

Double parking

Stopping or parking on the roadway side of a vehicle already parked at the curb; it blocks traffic and is prohibited.

Acceleration lane

A lane that lets drivers entering a highway speed up to match traffic speed before merging.

Being passed (Texas)

Do not speed up; stay in your lane and make the pass as safe and easy as possible for the other driver.

Hydroplaning (Texas)

A tire rides up on water and loses contact with the road; slow down on wet pavement to prevent it.

Flood water danger (Texas)

Twelve inches of water can float many cars, and two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

Truck stopping distance (Texas)

At 55 mph a fully loaded tractor-trailer may need more than 400 feet to stop, versus about 240 feet for a car.

Passing a truck: returning

Move back in front of a truck only when its whole front end is visible in your rear-view mirror.

Motorcycle lane rights (Texas)

A motorcyclist is entitled to the full width of a traffic lane; never try to share the lane.

Texting while driving (Texas)

Texas law prohibits reading, writing, or sending messages on a phone or portable wireless device while driving.

Under-18 wireless device ban (Texas)

Drivers under 18 may not use a wireless device at all while driving, hands-free included, except in an emergency.

Legal BAC limit (Texas)

A driver age 21 or older is legally intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

Zero tolerance for minors (Texas)

Any detectable amount of alcohol in a minor driver's system is the offense of DUI by a minor.

DWI with a child passenger (Texas)

Driving while intoxicated with a passenger under 15 is a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to two years.

Open container (Texas)

An open alcohol container in a vehicle's passenger area is illegal even when parked, with a fine up to $500.

Implied consent refusal (Texas, adult)

An adult who refuses a breath or blood specimen after a DWI arrest faces a 180-day license suspension for a first refusal.

Administrative License Revocation (ALR)

The DPS program that suspends a license after a failed or refused alcohol test; reinstatement costs a $125 fee.

Child safety seat (Texas)

Children under age 8 must ride in an approved child safety seat unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches.

White cane rule (Texas)

Only blind, partially blind, or disabled pedestrians may carry a white cane; drivers must take precautions around them.

Bicycle stop signal

A bicyclist signals a stop by pointing the left arm downward.

Revocation (Texas)

Termination of a license for an indefinite period, restorable only after all revocation requirements are satisfied.

Restriction Code A (Texas)

A license restriction meaning the driver must wear corrective lenses while driving.