Adult Drivers Ed: The Complete Guide for New Texas Drivers

For thousands of new drivers in Texas, adult drivers ed is the fastest, most affordable, and court-approved way to get on the road legally. Whether you’re 18 and brand new to driving or you’re moving to Texas and need a state-approved course, completing an adult drivers ed course is often required before you can take the DPS road test or receive your Texas driver’s license.

In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about adult drivers ed in Texas — including the requirements, how online courses work, how long they take, and how to schedule your road test after you finish. This page also covers frequently searched topics like adult drivers ed near me, drivers ed for adults online, and Texas adult drivers ed course options.


What Is Adult Drivers Ed in Texas?

Adult drivers ed is a six-hour state-approved course required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for drivers who are:

  • 18 to 24 years old seeking their first license
  • New to Texas and may be required to complete a course depending on driving history
  • Adults who prefer a structured, online training program before they take the DPS road test

The course teaches essential driving laws, safety, defensive driving habits, and road-ready skills — everything the state wants you to know before you get behind the wheel.

Most people choose to complete their adult drivers ed online because it’s easier, faster, and self-paced. That’s exactly what our course offers through our Texas-approved online platform.


Benefits of Taking Adult Drivers Ed Online

Searching for “adult drivers ed near me” usually shows a mix of in-person and online schools, but online courses are almost always the better choice. Here’s why:

  • 100% self-paced — log in and out whenever you want
  • Fastest course allowed by Texas law — finish in as little as six hours
  • State-approved for licensing
  • No classrooms, no scheduling headaches
  • Instant certificate delivery depending on court or DPS requirements

Our online course is mobile-friendly, easy to complete, and integrates seamlessly with the DPS requirements you’ll need to finish before scheduling your road test.


Texas Adult Drivers Ed Requirements

To complete your Texas adult drivers ed and get your license, you’ll need to follow the state-recommended steps:

  1. Take a 6-hour TDLR-approved adult drivers ed course. You can enroll directly through our online registration portal.
  2. Pass the in-course DPS written exam. Our online drivers ed for adults includes the Texas DPS knowledge test — no need to take it separately at the DPS office.
  3. Get your certificate of completion. You’ll need to present this to DPS when you apply for your license.
  4. Schedule your DPS road test. You can test at DPS or an authorized third-party testing center. (We’ll publish a full guide soon.)

Once you complete all steps, DPS will issue your driver’s license and you’re good to go.


How Long Does Adult Drivers Ed Take?

The state requires the course to be a minimum of six hours. Online courses make this easier because you can break it up into shorter sessions, log in from your phone, and finish at your own pace.

Most students complete the course in a single day, but you can spread it out however you want.


Adult Drivers Ed vs. Teen Drivers Ed — What’s the Difference?

If you’re researching drivers ed for adults, you might notice differences between the adult curriculum and teen driver licensing.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

  • Adults (18–24): Must complete a 6-hour drivers ed course + road test
  • Teens (under 18): Must complete a 32-hour course + behind-the-wheel hours

Adults do not need behind-the-wheel hours through an instructor, which makes adult drivers ed much faster and less expensive.


Where to Take Adult Drivers Ed in Texas

You don’t actually need to search for “adult drivers ed near me” — online courses are accepted statewide. That means whether you live in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, or anywhere in Texas, you can take the same official course through our website.

Enroll here: Start Adult Drivers Ed Now →


What Comes After Adult Drivers Ed? (Road Test Guide)

Once you finish your course, the next step is scheduling your DPS driving test. We’ll be publishing guides like:

Each of these will walk you through exactly what to expect, how to schedule your test, what documents to bring, and how to pass on the first try.


Why Choose Us for Your Adult Drivers Ed Course?

We provide one of Texas’s easiest, most affordable online options for completing your adult drivers ed course. Students choose us because:

  • No final exam — everyone passes
  • Self-paced format you can finish in one day
  • Approved statewide for licensing
  • Fast certificate delivery

Sign up now to get started instantly on your phone, tablet, or computer:

Take the Adult Drivers Ed Course Now


Final Thoughts

Completing your adult drivers ed in Texas is the easiest step toward earning your Texas driver’s license. With our online course, you’ll satisfy state requirements, learn safe driving habits, pass the DPS written exam, and be ready to schedule your road test as soon as you finish.

If you’re ready to start, enroll below:

Start Your Adult Drivers Ed Course Today →

Ticket Protection Guarantee

We’re so confident our course is the best on the web that
we’ll pay for your traffic ticket
within 30 days from the date of course completion.

Details Here

4 Steps to Success

Step 1 | Request permission from the court


Prior to diving into your online defensive driving course in Texas, confirm your eligibility for online traffic dismissal, as certain traffic violations may not be applicable for this program. Obtain permission from the court either in person or through email channels. Typically, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, car insurance, and the necessary court fees to proceed.

Step 2 | Sign up with $25 Defensive Driving


Get our driving safety course designed for accessibility on any phone, computer, or tablet. With our online ticket dismissal feature, swiftly resolve a ticket and avoid adding points to your driving record.

Step 3 | Finish $25 Defensive Driving before your deadline


The court will provide a specific timeframe within which you must complete the Texas driver safety course. Although the online Texas defensive driving course for ticket dismissal typically spans around 6 hours, be diligent in ensuring you meet the deadline.

Step 4 | Bring your certificate to the court

Provide your $25 Defensive Driving certificate of completion and driving record to the court. Bam! Your ticket is eliminated.

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