Comprehensive Texas Driver Handbook Study Guide (DL-7)

Introduction and General Information

  • Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Mission: The Driver License Division is committed to a faster, easier, friendlier experience and a safer Texas.
  • Handbook Purpose:
    • To help individuals qualify for a Texas driver license.
    • To help individuals become safer drivers.
  • Legal Disclaimer: This handbook is not an official legal reference for Texas traffic laws. For actual legal language, refer to the Texas Transportation Code and Texas Penal Code.
  • Legislative Changes: The Texas Legislature meets every two years and regularly modifies traffic laws. Current info is found at http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/.
  • Contact Information:
    • Customer Service Email: https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/customer_service/Other.aspx
    • Mailing Address: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, PO Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0300.
    • Handbook Feedback: https://survey.utexas.edu/dld
  • ADA Accommodations:
    • Contact the department at least 55 to 7 business days7\,business\,days prior to a visit.
    • Grievance procedures are found in 37 Texas Administrative Code §1.4137\,Texas\,Administrative\,Code\,\text{\sect}1.41.
  • Policy on Discrimination: The DPS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
  • Intellectual Property: Handbook content is property of the DPS and cannot be modified or published without express written consent.
  • Texas Resident Safety Statistics:
    • There are more than 314,000 miles314,000\,miles of public roadways in Texas.
    • Annually, approximately 3,5003,500 people are killed and more than 15,00015,000 are seriously injured in traffic crashes.

Chapter 1: Your License to Drive

  • Who May Drive in Texas:
    • Residents: Must have a valid Texas license. New residents have 90 days90\,days to secure a Texas license if they have a valid out-of-state license.
    • Exemptions: Operators of road machines, farm tractors, or implements of husbandry moved temporarily on a highway (unless the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle).
    • Nonresidents: Must be at least 16 years old16\,years\,old with a valid license from their home state or Canadian province (for Class C and M). Those 18 years old18\,years\,old or older may drive if their home state/country grants reciprocity to Texas citizens.
    • Military:
      • Active duty members with a valid license from their home state, their spouse, or dependents are exempt while using home-state licenses.
      • Active duty members with US Armed Forces licenses issued in foreign countries may drive for 90 days90\,days from their return date to the US.
      • Texas licenses held by military members remain valid as long as service continues and they remain absent from Texas (not exceeding 90 days90\,days after separation/return).
  • Types of Texas Driver Licenses:
    • Learner License (Instruction Permit):
      • Allows practice with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old21\,years\,old with one year of experience (must occupy the front seat, be awake, and not intoxicated).
      • Age: 1515 to 18 years18\,years old.
      • Requirements: Complete classroom driver ed, vision exam, and knowledge exam.
      • Fees: $16\$16 ($15\$15 license + $1\$1 admin fee). Expires on 18th18^{th} birthday.
      • For those 1818 and older, a Class C license with learner restrictions costs $33\$33.
    • Verification of Enrollment (VOE): Required for those under 1818. Must show high school diploma, attendance for 80 days80\,days in previous semester, or enrollment for 45 days45\,days in a GED program. Not valid if older than 30 days30\,days (school year) or 90 days90\,days (summer).
    • Hardship License (Minor Restricted Driver License - MRDL):
      • Issued to minors (1515 to 1818) who establish a necessity to drive (economic hardship, illness/death in family, vocational program, or court order).
      • Process: Form DL-77 must be signed by parent/guardian and presented in person.
    • Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program:
      • Phase One: Must hold a learner/hardship license for at least 6 months6\,months before a provisional license. Suspension periods extend the 6 months6\,months.
      • Phase Two: Restrictions until 18th18^{th} birthday. No driving with more than one passenger under 2121 (non-family). No driving between midnightmidnight and 5:00 a.m.5:00\,a.m. (unless for work, school, or medical emergency). No wireless communication devices (even hands-free).
    • Provisional License: Issued to individuals 1616 to 1818. Marked "PROVISIONAL". Fee is $16\$16; expires at 1818.
  • Classes of Driver Licenses (Non-Commercial):
    • Class A: Permits driving vehicles/combinations involving a GCWR of 26,001 lbs26,001\,lbs or more, provided the towed vehicle GVWR exceeds 10,000 lbs10,000\,lbs. Fee: $33\$33. Age: 1818 (1717 with Driver Ed).
    • Class B: Single vehicle with GVWR of 26,001 lbs26,001\,lbs or more (can tow up to 10,000 lbs10,000\,lbs GVWR or farm trailers to 20,000 lbs20,000\,lbs). Fee: $33\$33. Age: 1818 (1717 with Driver Ed).
    • Class C: Single vehicle/combination with GVWR less than 26,001 lbs26,001\,lbs (towing up to 10,000 lbs10,000\,lbs GVWR or farm trailers up to 20,000 lbs20,000\,lbs). Also includes autocycles. Fee: $33\$33 (standard) or $16\$16 (under 18).
    • Class M: Motorcycles. Requires approved training course. Fee: $33\$33 ($16\$16 if under 18). Adding M to a current license costs $16\$16.
  • Veteran Services:
    • Exemption: Honorably discharged veterans with at least 60 %60\,\% service-connected disability are exempt from license/ID fees (not valid for CDL or sex offenders).
    • Designator: "VETERAN" or "DISABLED VETERAN" indicators are available on the card face.
  • Identification (ID) Cards:
    • Any age. Fee: $16\$16 (5959 and younger, valid 6 years6\,years) or $6\$6 (6060 and older, valid 6 years6\,years).
    • Vertical format for those under 2121; horizontal for 2121 and older.
  • Medical and Emergency Info:
    • Option to print "Directive to physician has been filed at telephone #" or "Emergency contact number" on the reverse.
    • Ability to voluntarily indicate a health condition that may impede peace officer communication ("Driving with Disability Program").
  • Organ Donation: "Donate Life Texas" Heart and word "donor" printed on front. Cards serve as conclusive evidence of consent.
  • Voluntary Contributions: Funds include: Blindness Education, Screening, and Treatment; Glenda Dawson Donate Life Texas; Veteran’s Assistance; Sexual Assault Evidence Testing; Identification Fee Exemption.
  • Application Requirements:
    • In-person appearance.
    • Voter registration offered (if 17 and 10 months+17\,and\,10\,months+).
    • Selective Service registration automatic for males 1818 to 2525.
    • Documents: Identity, SSN (verified with SSA), Residency, Citizenship/Lawful presence, Fingerprints.
    • Vehicle ownership requires proof of financial responsibility (insurance) and registration.
  • Exams:
    • Knowledge Exam: Class C, M, or A/B rules. Passing is 70 %70\,\% or better. Application valid for 90 days90\,days or 3 attempts3\,attempts.
    • Vision Exam: May require corrective lenses.
    • Driving Exam: Graded on Control, Observation, Positioning, and Signaling. Deductions over 30 points30\,points result in failure. Skills include parallel parking, quick stop (20 mph20\,mph), backing (60 ft60\,ft), turns, and right-of-way.
  • Penalties for Driving Without License:
    • 1st conviction1^{st}\,conviction: fine up to $200\$200.
    • 2nd conviction in one year2^{nd}\,conviction\,in\,one\,year: $25\$25 to $200\$200.
    • Crash with injury/death without license or insurance: Class A misdemeanor ($4,000\$4,000 fine, 365 days365\,days jail).
  • Renewals: Licenses expire every 8 years8\,years. In-person visit required every 16 years16\,years for vision/photo. Drivers 7979 and older must renew in-person.
  • Suspensions/Revocations:
    • Mandatory (Automatic): DWI, drug offenses, intoxication manslaughter, failure to stop/render aid, evading arrest, DWLI, graffiti, racing, fraudulent government records.
    • Administrative: Discretionary for causing serious crashes, repeated violations (4 convictions in 12 months4\,convictions\,in\,12\,months or 7 in 24 months7\,in\,24\,months), or violation of probation.
    • Administrative License Revocation (ALR): BAC of 0.08+0.08+ (adults) or any detectable amount (minors). Fee to reinstate: $125\$125.
  • Minors Alcohol Penalties (Non-Driving):
    • 1st offense1^{st}\,offense: $500\$500 fine, 88 to 12 hours12\,hours community service, alcohol course, 30 day30\,day suspension.
    • 3rd offense3^{rd}\,offense (17+17+): Class B misdemeanor ($250\$250 to $2,000\$2,000 fine, jail up to 180 days180\,days, 180 day180\,day suspension).
  • Occupational License: Essential need license for those suspended. Fee: $10 per year\$10\,per\,year. Valid with court order.

Chapter 2: Vehicle Inspection and Registration

  • Vehicle Inspection: All motor vehicles in Texas must be inspected annually. Registration and inspection are consolidated into one sticker.
  • Required Equipment:
    • Brakes: Foot brake (must stop at 20 mph20\,mph in 25 ft25\,ft) and parking brake.
    • Lights: 22 headlights, 22 taillights (pre-1960 need 1), 22 brake lights (pre-1960 need 1), white license plate light, parking lights (front white/amber, rear red), and 22 red reflectors (1515 to 60 inches60\,inches high, visible to 600 ft600\,ft).
    • Tires: Minimum tread depth of 232 inch\frac{2}{32}\,inch.
    • Mirror: Must reflect view for 200 ft200\,ft to the rear.
    • Exhaust: Emission system on 19681968 models or later.
  • Unsafe Equipment (Prohibited): Red lights on front, bell/siren/whistle (except emergency vehicles), muffler cutout, radar interference devices.
  • Registration: New owners have 30 days30\,days to register. Temporary buyer tags are valid for 60 days60\,days.
  • Exempt Vehicles: Farm tractors, farm trailers (≤4,000 lbs\le 4,000\,lbs), electric bicycles, golf carts (certain conditions).

Chapter 3: Safety Responsibility

  • The Liability Insurance Law: Minimum amounts as of January 1, 2011:
    • $30,000\$30,000 against injury/death of one person.
    • $60,000\$60,000 against injury/death of two or more people.
    • $25,000\$25,000 against property damage.
  • Evidence of Financial Responsibility: Required for license application, registration, and inspection. Acceptable forms: insurance policy/binder, certificate from state comptroller ($55,000 deposit\$55,000\,deposit), surety bond, or image on a wireless device.
  • Penalties for No Insurance:
    • 1st conviction1^{st}\,conviction: $175\$175 to $350\$350 fine.
    • 2nd conviction2^{nd}\,conviction: $350\$350 to $1,000\$1,000 fine + license suspension and vehicle impoundment (180 days180\,days).

Chapter 4: Right-of-Way

  • Intersections:
    • Unpaved road yields to paved road.
    • Single/two-lane road yields to multi-lane road (3+3+ lanes).
    • Uncontrolled intersections: yield to vehicle on the right.
    • Turning Left: Yield to oncoming traffic regardless of who arrived first.
    • Private roads/driveways: Stop at sidewalk and yield to all pedestrians/approaching vehicles.
    • T-Intersection: Road that ends yields to through street.
  • Railroad Grade Crossings:
    • Stop distance: Between 1515 and 50 ft50\,ft from nearest rail if signal/gate activates or train visible within 1,500 ft1,500\,ft.
    • Audible notification: Trains give signals; stop if train is visible/proximate.
    • Emergency Notification System (ENS): Blue and white sign at crossing for reporting malfunctions.
  • Emergency Vehicles: Pull to right edge and stop. Do not follow fire trucks within 500 ft500\,ft.
  • School Buses: Stop for red flashing lights. Only exception: different road or controlled-access highway where bus is in a loading zone and pedestrians cannot cross.
    • 1st conviction1^{st}\,conviction: $500\$500 to $1,250\$1,250.
  • Pedestrians: Drivers must yield at crosswalks and uncontrolled intersections.
    • Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon: Special warning device for midblock/crosswalk crossings.

Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and Markers

  • Traffic Signals:
    • Steady Red: Stop. Right turn allowed unless signed otherwise.
    • Steady Yellow: Caution; light changing to red soon.
    • Flashing Yellow: Slow down and proceed with caution.
    • Flashing Yellow Arrow: Turn allowed but must yield right-of-way.
  • Sign Shapes/Colors:
    • Octagon: Stop.
    • Equilateral Triangle: Yield.
    • Pennant: No Pass Zone.
    • Diamond: Warning.
    • Pentagon: School.
    • Round: Railroad.
    • Orange: Construction.
    • Brown: Public Recreation/Scenic Guidance.
  • Pavement Markings:
    • Solid Yellow: No-passing zone if on your side.
    • Double Solid White: Crossing is prohibited.
    • White Stop Lines: Must stop behind the line.
  • Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem: For vehicles designed for speeds ≤25 mph\le 25\,mph.

Chapter 6: Signaling, Passing, and Turning

  • Signaling: Signal continuously for at least 100 ft100\,ft before turning or stopping.
  • Passing Rules: Do not pass within 100 ft100\,ft of intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.
    • Pass to the left on two-lane roads; wait until you see the passed vehicle in the rearview mirror before returning to the right lane.
    • Pass on right only if road is clear of obstacles/parked cars and has 2+2+ lanes, or on one-way roads.
  • Turning:
    • Right Turn: Signal 100 ft100\,ft ahead, stay close to right edge.
    • Left Turn: Yield to oncoming traffic; enter new road in the lane with least interference.

Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing

  • Prohibited Areas: Within 15 ft15\,ft of fire hydrant; 20 ft20\,ft of crosswalk; 30 ft30\,ft of approach to signal/stop sign; 50 ft50\,ft of railroad crossing.
  • Distance from Curb: Parallel parked wheels must be within 66 to 18 inches18\,inches of the right-hand curb.
  • Disabled Parking: Fines range from $500\$500 to $1,250\$1,250. Misuse of placard is a misdemeanor.
  • Hills:
    • Uphill with curb: Turn wheels away from curb.
    • Downhill or No Curb: Turn wheels toward curb/side of road.

Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits

  • Following Distance:
    • Speed ≤30 mph\le 30\,mph: 2 second2\,second gap.
    • Speed >30 mph> 30\,mph: 4 second4\,second gap (recommended for beginners).
  • Stopping Distances (Good brakes/tires, dry pavement):
    • 20 mph20\,mph: 63 ft63\,ft to stop.
    • 50 mph50\,mph: 229 ft229\,ft to stop.
    • 70 mph70\,mph: 387 ft387\,ft to stop.
  • Speed Limits:
    • Urban District: 30 mph30\,mph.
    • Alley: 15 mph15\,mph.
    • Beaches: 15 mph15\,mph.
    • Numbered Highways: 70 mph70\,mph (Day/Night).
    • Unnumbered Highways: 60 mph60\,mph.
  • Slow Down or Move Over Law: Reduce speed to 20 mph20\,mph below limit (if limit ≥25 mph\ge 25\,mph) or ≤5 mph\le 5\,mph (if limit <25 mph< 25\,mph) when passing stopped emergency vehicles.

Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations

  • Headlights: Required vanaf 30 minutes30\,minutes after sunset to 30 minutes30\,minutes before sunrise, or when visibility is <1,000 ft< 1,000\,ft.
    • Dim when within 500 ft500\,ft of approaching car.
  • Highways: Avoid "Highway Hypnosis" by stopping every 100 miles100\,miles or 2 hours2\,hours. Do not drive more than 8 hours8\,hours per day.
  • Skids: Turn steering wheel in the direction of the skid. Do not hit brakes hard.
  • Floods:
    • 6 inches6\,inches: stalls/loss of control for passenger cars.
    • 12 inches12\,inches: floats many cars.
    • 24 inches24\,inches: carries away trucks/SUVs.
  • Trucks: Avoid the "No-Zone" (blind spots). A loaded tractor-trailer takes 400+ft400+ft to stop from 55 mph55\,mph.
  • Bicycles: Entitled to full lane if it is of substandard width (<14 ft< 14\,ft).

Chapter 10: Alcohol and Drug Impact

  • Legal Intoxication: Adults 21+21+ = BAC of 0.08 %0.08\,\% or greater. Minors (<21< 21) = Any detectable amount.
  • Implied Consent: Acceptance of a license means consent to breath/blood test. Refusal results in 180 day180\,day suspension (1st1^{st} offense).
  • Penalties for DWI (Adults):
    • 1st offense1^{st}\,offense: fine up to $2,000\$2,000, 72 hours72\,hours to 180 days180\,days jail, suspension 9090 to 365 days365\,days.
    • 3rd offense3^{rd}\,offense: fine up to $10,000\$10,000, 22 to 10 years10\,years in TDCJ.
  • DWI with Passenger < 15: State jail felony, fine to $10,000\$10,000, 180 days180\,days to 2 years2\,years in jail.

Chapter 11: Motor Vehicle Crashes

  • Duties: Immediately stop, provide name/address/insurance info, and aid the injured.
  • Reporting: Notify law enforcement if injury/fatality or damage >$1,000> \$1,000. Written report to TxDOT due within 10 days10\,days if not investigated by police.
  • Failure to Stop Penalties: Crash with death = Second degree felony (22 to 20 years20\,years TDCJ).

Chapter 12: Pedestrian Safety

  • Pedestrian Rules: Walk facing traffic (left side) if no sidewalk. Yield to vehicles if crossing outside crosswalk.
  • Motorist Rules: Treat white canes/assistance animals as absolute right-of-way markers for visually impaired pedestrians.

Chapter 13: Bicycle Laws and Safety

  • Legal Standing: Bicycles are vehicles. Operators subject to same traffic penalties as motorists.
  • Night Equipment: Front white light (visible for 500 ft500\,ft) and rear red reflector (visible at 5050 to 300 ft300\,ft).

Chapter 14: Additional Safety Tips

  • Safety Belts: Required for all passengers. Children under 8 years8\,years or shorter than 4′9"4'9" must be in child safety seats.
  • Vehicles with Open Beds: Illegal to transport children under 1818 in truck beds (exemptions for parades, beaches, hayrides).
  • Police Stops: Move to the right, park, turn off engine, turn on dome light (at night), keep hands on wheel. If feeling unsafe, use hazard lights, call 911911, and drive to a well-lit area.
  • EPAMDs (Segways): May be operated on sidewalks or paths; on roads only if speed limit ≤30 mph\le 30\,mph and no sidewalk is available.
  • Carbon Monoxide: Do not leave engine running in garage; beware of defective exhaust systems.
  • Communication Impediment Program: Form DL-101 allowed to put a code on license alerting officers to the challenge before/during contact.