Texas Driver Handbook

Browse the full Texas Driver Handbook. Find the rules and regulations tested by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

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ADA AccommodationsPDF page 3
Driver License DivisionPDF page 2
IntroductionPDF page 2
Table of ContentsPDF page 6
Learner License (Instruction Permit)PDF page 7
Minimum AgeFee*ExpirationPDF page 11
Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) FormPDF page 7
Who May Drive a Motor Vehicle in Texas?PDF page 7
Chapter 1: Your License to Drive Texas Driver HandbookPDF page 17
Graduated Driver License (GDL)PDF page 8
Hardship LicensePDF page 8
Classes of Driver LicensesPDF page 9
Out-of-State License HoldersPDF page 9
Provisional LicensePDF page 9
Class B Driver LicensePDF page 10
Class C Driver LicensePDF page 10
Class M Driver LicensePDF page 10
Designation on Driver LicensePDF page 11
Fees and Driver Licenses for VeteransPDF page 11
Identification (ID) CardsPDF page 11
Medical and Emergency InformationPDF page 11
TypeAmountExpirationPDF page 11
Applying for a Texas Driver LicensePDF page 12
Driver RecordPDF page 12
Evidence of Financial Responsibility (Vehicle Insurance)PDF page 12
Organ DonationPDF page 12
Required Documents and Application InformationPDF page 12
Voluntary ContributionsPDF page 12
Driver EducationPDF page 13
ExaminationsPDF page 13
FeesPDF page 13
MinorsPDF page 13
Part 2: The Vision ExaminationPDF page 13
Vehicle RegistrationPDF page 13
Description of the Driving ExamPDF page 14
Part 3: The Driving ExamPDF page 14
Pass or Fail Driving ExamPDF page 14
ConvictionPenalty*PDF page 70
Out-of-State LicenseesPDF page 15
Removing or Adding RestrictionsPDF page 15
Renewing a LicensePDF page 15
Restrictions Placed on a LicensePDF page 15
Application for RenewalPDF page 16
Individuals Returning to Texas from Military ServicePDF page 16
Mandatory SuspensionPDF page 16
Out-of-State Texas LicenseesPDF page 16
Suspensions and RevocationsPDF page 16
Administrative Suspensions and RevocationsPDF page 17
Alcoholic Beverage Code OffensesPDF page 17
Family Code ViolationsPDF page 17
Suspensions and Revocations (Under 21)PDF page 17
Administrative License Revocation (ALR)PDF page 18
CancellationsPDF page 18
Court-Ordered Suspensions, Revocations, and CancellationsPDF page 18
Suspend or Revoke After Hearing of MinorPDF page 18
DenialsPDF page 19
OffensePenaltyPDF page 66
Other Non-Driving Penalties for Alcohol-Related OffensesPDF page 19
Penalties for Non-Driving Alcohol-Related Offenses by MinorsPDF page 62
Table 8: Penalties for Driving While License Invalid (DWLI)PDF page 19
Occupational License (Essential Need License)PDF page 20
ItemDescriptionPDF page 21
Vehicle InspectionPDF page 21
Equipment You Must Not HavePDF page 22
Optional ItemDescriptionPDF page 22
Registration of VehiclesPDF page 22
Table 12: Optional Equipment for Motor VehiclesPDF page 22
Vehicle Registration for New and Nonresidents of TexasPDF page 23
Vehicles Not Required to be Registered or InspectedPDF page 23
ConvictionPenaltyPDF page 29
Evidence of Financial ResponsibilityPDF page 24
Failure to Provide Evidence of Financial ResponsibilityPDF page 24
The Liability Insurance LawPDF page 24
Chapter 3: Safety Responsibility Texas Driver HandbookPDF page 25
Chapter 4: Right-of-Way Texas Driver HandbookPDF page 29
Enter or Leave Controlled-Access HighwayPDF page 26
Private Roads and DrivewaysPDF page 26
Single or Two-Lane Road Intersecting a Multi-Lane RoadPDF page 26
Unpaved Road Intersecting a Paved RoadPDF page 26
Driving on Multiple-Lane RoadsPDF page 27
Railroad Grade CrossingsPDF page 27
Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad CrossingsPDF page 28
In Case of EmergencyPDF page 28
Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency VehiclesPDF page 28
Avoid Turning a Car into a Deadly WeaponPDF page 29
In-Street and Overhead Pedestrian Crossing SignsPDF page 29
SCHOOLPDF page 29
In-Roadway LightsPDF page 30
Pedestrian Hybrid BeaconsPDF page 30
A Flashing Red LightPDF page 31
Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and Markers Texas Driver HandbookPDF page 31
Left Turn on GreenPDF page 31
Steady Green Light (Go)PDF page 31
Steady Yellow Light (Caution)PDF page 31
Traffic SignalsPDF page 31
ShapeDescriptionPDF page 32
Warning SignsPDF page 32
White: RegulationPDF page 32
SignDescriptionPDF page 38
Do Not Cross Yellow Lines: The distancePDF page 36
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) PreferentialPDF page 36
Regulatory and Warning SignsPDF page 36
Emergency Notification SystemPDF page 38
Guide SignsPDF page 38
Railroad CrossbuckPDF page 38
CrosswalksPDF page 39
Gate and Flashing LightPDF page 39
Left Turn Lane OnlyPDF page 39
Multi-lane Highway (Four or More Lanes)PDF page 39
Two-Lane Rural Road with Two-Way TrafficPDF page 39
Solid LinesPDF page 40
Construction and Maintenance DevicesPDF page 41
Hearing ImpairedPDF page 41
SignSignSignSignPDF page 41
Automated Flagger Assistance Device (AFAD)PDF page 42
Channelizing DevicesPDF page 42
Flag PersonPDF page 42
Pass to the LeftPDF page 42
Obey Warning Signs and BarricadesPDF page 43
RED REFLECTORPDF page 43
Slow-Moving Vehicle EmblemPDF page 43
Basic Safety Rules When You Are PassingPDF page 44
How to SignalPDF page 44
Keep to the RightPDF page 44
SignalingPDF page 44
Blind Spot DrivingPDF page 45
How to Pass on a Two-Lane RoadPDF page 45
Passing on the RightPDF page 45
TurningPDF page 45
How to Make a Left TurnPDF page 46
How to Make a Right TurnPDF page 46
Making a Left Turn From a Two-Way Onto a One-Way StreetPDF page 46
Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or StandingPDF page 47
Disabled ParkingPDF page 48
Do Not Park a VehiclePDF page 48
Do Not Park or Stand a VehiclePDF page 48
Do Not Park, Stop, or Stand a VehiclePDF page 48
TemporarilyPDF page 48
Parallel ParkingPDF page 49
Unattended Motor VehiclePDF page 49
Leaving a Parking SpacePDF page 50
SpeedPDF page 50
Approximate Stopping DistancesPDF page 51
StationaryPDF page 51
Alley15PDF page 52
Slow Down or Move OverPDF page 52
Speed LimitsPDF page 52
Street RacingPDF page 52
Choose the Proper LanePDF page 53
Entering the HighwayPDF page 53
HeadlightsPDF page 53
Highway DrivingPDF page 53
EXIT1MILEPDF page 54
Fight Highway HypnosisPDF page 54
Highway Safety TipsPDF page 54
Leaving the HighwayPDF page 54
Once You are in the Proper LanePDF page 54
Steering Out of a SkidPDF page 54
Vehicle BreakdownPDF page 54
Driving Down a Steep HillPDF page 55
Modern RoundaboutPDF page 55
Running Off the PavementPDF page 55
Safety TipExplanationPDF page 55
Driving in a Modern RoundaboutPDF page 56
FloodsPDF page 56
Turn Around Don’t Drown® (Note: Per National WeatherPDF page 56
Backing CrashesPDF page 57
Cutting Off a Vehicle to Reach Your Exit or TurnPDF page 57
Following a TruckPDF page 57
ManeuverabilityPDF page 57
PassingPDF page 57
A Car’s Blind SpotPDF page 58
Hazardous Road ConditionsPDF page 58
Large VehiclesPDF page 58
Respect a MotorcyclePDF page 58
Share the Road with MotorcyclesPDF page 58
Signal Your IntentionsPDF page 58
ActionDescriptionPDF page 59
Allow Plenty of Space When Following a MotorcyclePDF page 59
Car-Bicycle CrashesPDF page 60
Rules for Motorists and BicyclistsPDF page 59
Share the Road with Light RailPDF page 59
Texas Motorcycle Operator Training ProgramPDF page 59
Texting While DrivingPDF page 60
Chapter 10: Alcohol and Drug Impact on the Driving AbilityPDF page 61
Sedative-HypnoticsPDF page 61
The Number One Killer is AlcoholPDF page 61
TypeDescriptionPDF page 61
Implied Consent Laws for MinorsPDF page 62
Open ContainerPDF page 62
Zero Tolerance for MinorsPDF page 62
IntoxicationPDF page 63
Implied Consent Laws for AdultsPDF page 64
Know Your Legal LimitPDF page 64
LegallyPDF page 64
OffenseFineConfinementDriver License SuspensionPDF page 64
Chapter 11: Motor Vehicle CrashesPDF page 65
Crash Resulting in Damage to a VehiclePDF page 65
Crash Resulting in Injury to, or Death of a personPDF page 65
Aiding the InjuredPDF page 66
Crash Involving an Unattended VehiclePDF page 66
Hit-and-Run CrashesPDF page 66
Laws and Safety Tips for MotoristsPDF page 67
Laws and Safety Tips for PedestriansPDF page 67
Bicycle Traffic LawsPDF page 68
Bicycles Must Be Properly EquippedPDF page 68
Do’sPDF page 68
Don’tsPDF page 68
Shared Lane MarkingPDF page 68
Bicycle Safety GuidelinesPDF page 69
Chapter 14: Additional Safety Tips Texas Driver HandbookPDF page 75
Defensive DrivingPDF page 70
Penalties for Driving Without a Safety BeltPDF page 70
Safety BeltsPDF page 70
Vehicles with Open Beds Towing a Boat or WatercraftPDF page 70
Obligations, Responsibilities, Courtesy and SafetyPDF page 71
Open Bed Passenger RestrictionsPDF page 71
When Stopped by Law EnforcementPDF page 71
Complaints or ConcernsPDF page 72
False Identification OffensePDF page 72
Road RagePDF page 72
Tips to Avoid Road RagePDF page 72
Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMD)PDF page 73
Neighborhood Electronic Vehicles and Motor Assisted ScootersPDF page 73
Your Keys to Safe DrivingPDF page 73
Carbon MonoxidePDF page 74
Safety ChainsPDF page 74
TowingPDF page 74
Transporting Cargo and MaterialsPDF page 74
Appendix A: Glossary of TermsPDF page 77
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms Texas Driver HandbookPDF page 82
Appendix B: Driver License OfficesPDF page 83
Study and Review Questions for Class C OperatorsPDF page 86
Appendix D: FeesPDF page 87
Driver license (Class A, B or C)PDF page 87
Driver License FeesPDF page 88
Identification Card (ID) FeesPDF page 88
CodeDescriptionPDF page 90
P32OtherPDF page 90
Top 10 Reasons to Join Texas DPSPDF page 90