Texas Driver Handbook: Key Rules, Signs, and Numbers for Learner Permits

What is the minimum age to obtain a Texas learner license?

15 years old, with driver education.

What is a Texas learner license also called?

An instruction permit.

Who must accompany a person driving with a learner license?

A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, and occupies the seat beside the driver.

Can the supervising licensed driver be intoxicated or asleep?

No.

How long must a Texas learner license be held before a person under 18 can receive a provisional license?

At least six months.

When does a learner license issued to someone under 18 expire?

On the person's 18th birthday.

What is the minimum age for a provisional license?

16.

When does a provisional license expire for someone under 18?

On the person's 18th birthday.

During Phase Two, how many passengers under 21 who are not family members may a provisional license holder have?

No more than one.

During what hours may a provisional license holder generally NOT drive?

Between midnight and 5:00 a.m., unless driving is necessary for work, a school-related activity, or a medical emergency.

Can a driver under 18 use a wireless communication device while driving?

No, including hands-free devices, except in an emergency.

What percentage must you score to pass a Texas knowledge exam?

At least 70%.

Is a driving exam required to receive a learner license?

No.

What is the maximum fine for a first conviction of driving without a license?

$200.

What does a steady red light mean?

Stop before entering the crosswalk or intersection.

Can you turn right on a steady red light?

Yes, after stopping, unless prohibited by law or a sign, and after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.

When may you turn left on a red light?

When both streets are one-way, unless prohibited, after stopping and yielding.

What does a flashing red light mean?

Stop completely, then proceed when it is safe.

What does a steady yellow light mean?

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

What does a flashing yellow light mean?

Slow down and proceed with caution.

What does a flashing yellow arrow mean?

You may turn left, but must yield to oncoming traffic.

What does a steady green light mean?

You may proceed if it is safe, going straight or turning unless prohibited.

What does a green arrow displayed with a red light mean?

Proceed carefully in the direction of the arrow after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians.

When turning left on a normal green light, who has the right-of-way?

Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way.

What does red mean on a traffic sign?

Stop, yield, or obey the instruction posted.

What does green mean on a traffic sign?

Permitted movements and directional guidance.

What does blue mean?

Motorist services.

What does yellow mean?

General warning or caution.

What does black mean?

Regulation.

What does white mean?

Regulation.

What does orange mean?

Construction and maintenance warning.

What does brown mean?

Public recreation and scenic guidance.

What shape is a STOP sign?

Octagon.

What shape is a YIELD sign?

Equilateral triangle.

What shape warns of no-passing zones?

Pennant.

What shape warns of road hazards?

Diamond.

What shape is generally used for regulatory signs?

Vertical rectangle.

What shape is used for school advance and school crossing signs?

Pentagon.

What shape is used for railroad advance warning signs?

Round.

What shape is generally used for guide signs?

Horizontal rectangle.

What should you do when you encounter a warning sign?

Pay attention, follow the instructions, and reduce speed to at least the posted speed.

What does a Narrow Bridge sign mean?

The bridge is not as wide as the road; slow down and use caution.

What does a Double Curve sign mean?

The road curves one direction and then the other; slow down, keep right, and do not pass.

What does a Cross Traffic sign mean?

Cross traffic is ahead; slow down and look carefully in all directions.

What does a T-Intersection sign mean?

The road ends ahead; you must turn left or right and be prepared to yield.

What does a Y-Intersection sign indicate?

A Y-intersection or side-road traffic.

What does a Pedestrian Crossing sign warn you about?

An area where pedestrians commonly cross.

What does a School sign mean?

You are near a school; slow down, watch for children, and be prepared to stop.

What does a Slippery When Wet sign warn about?

A potentially slippery road surface.

What does a Lane Ends sign mean?

A lane ends ahead; merge as directed.

What does an Animal Crossing sign mean?

Slow down and watch for animals.

What does a Sharp Turn sign mean?

The road makes a sharp turn; slow down, keep right, and do not pass.

What does a Truck Crossing sign mean?

Slow down and watch for trucks entering or crossing the road.

What color is the broken lane marker on a one-way street?

White.

What does a solid yellow line on your side of the road mean?

It marks a no-passing zone.

What do broken or dashed lines generally permit?

Passing or changing lanes when safe.

What do solid white lines generally indicate?

Lane edges, shoulders, channelizing, transitions, or lane-use control.

Can you cross double solid white lines?

No; crossing is prohibited.

What do white crosswalk lines indicate?

A pedestrian crossing area.

Where should you stop when a white stop line is present?

Behind the stop line.

What should a slow driver generally do on a multi-lane highway?

Stay in the right-hand lane.

Can the center left-turn lane be used for passing?

No.

Can the center left-turn lane be used as a through-traffic lane?

No.

What does 'yield' mean?

Allow another vehicle or roadway user to proceed first.

What should you do at an uncontrolled intersection?

Approach cautiously, slow down, and be prepared to yield.

What should you do when entering a street from a private alley or driveway?

Yield the right-of-way to traffic on the street.

Who has the right-of-way when an emergency vehicle approaches using a siren or flashing red lights?

The emergency vehicle.

What should you do when an emergency vehicle approaches?

Pull to the right edge and stop if traffic permits. If you cannot pull right, slow down and leave a clear path.

How close may you follow a fire truck responding to an alarm or an ambulance with flashing red lights?

You may not follow within 500 feet.

What must you do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with activated lights on a highway with two or more lanes going in the same direction?

Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle.

If the posted speed limit is 25 mph or higher, how much must you reduce your speed when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle?

At least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

If the posted speed limit is less than 25 mph, how fast must you travel when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle?

Less than 5 mph.

When must you stop for a school bus?

When approaching from either direction and the school bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights.

When may you proceed after stopping for a school bus?

When the bus resumes motion, the driver signals you to proceed, or the red lights stop flashing.

Do you always have to stop for a school bus on a different road?

No.

Do you have to stop for a school bus stopped in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway where pedestrians cannot cross?

No.

What is the first-conviction fine for failing to yield to a school bus displaying flashing red lights?

$500-$1,250.

How close must your vehicle's right wheels be to the curb when parked on a two-way roadway?

Within 18 inches.

How far from the curb should a vehicle be when parallel parked?

6-18 inches.

What should you check before leaving a parking space?

Mirrors, the path of travel, pedestrians, and children; also signal before leaving.

Is it legal to coast downhill with the transmission in neutral?

No.

When parking uphill without a curb, which direction should you turn your wheels?

To the right.

When parking downhill with a curb, which direction should you turn your wheels?

Toward the curb.

When parking uphill with a curb, which direction should you turn your wheels?

Away from the curb.

What is the minimum following interval at 30 mph or less under good conditions?

2 seconds.

What following interval should you maintain above 30 mph under good conditions?

4 seconds.

What is the recommended following interval for a beginning or inexperienced driver?

4 seconds.

Should you increase your following distance in poor conditions?

Yes.

What should you do on wet roads?

Slow down and increase your following distance.

What should you do when visibility is limited?

Slow down, increase following distance, and make sure you can stop within the distance you can see.

What is the maximum speed limit in an urban district according to the handbook's table?

30 mph.

What is the maximum speed limit in an alley?

15 mph.

What is the maximum speed for passenger cars on a Texas- or U.S.-numbered highway outside an urban district?

70 mph, unless otherwise posted.

Does a posted 55-mph speed limit mean you can always drive 55 mph?

No. You must adjust your speed for traffic, weather, visibility, and other conditions.

At 60 mph, approximately how much is your field of vision reduced to?

About one-fifth.

What does a solid yellow line on your side of the roadway mean?

Do not pass.

When should you NOT attempt to pass another vehicle?

When passing would be unsafe or prohibited by road conditions, markings, signs, or the location of the vehicle.

Can you cross a double yellow line to pass?

No when it marks a no-passing zone.

If you enter an intersection in the wrong lane for your intended turn, what should you do?

Continue through the intersection rather than making an unsafe lane change.

What should you do before changing lanes?

Check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and change lanes only when safe.