The Texas Adult Driver Education Course is a state-required 6-hour online course for adults ages 18–24 who are applying for their first Texas driver's license. It is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Adults 25 and older are not required to take it, but may enroll to complete the DPS exam online and better prepare for the licensing process.

The Texas Adult Driver Education Course covers Texas traffic laws and procedures, right-of-way, traffic control devices, controlling traffic flow, alcohol and other drugs, cooperating with other road users, managing risk, and human trafficking awareness. The course spans 7 lessons and takes 6 hours to complete. The final assessment is the official Texas DPS Highway Sign and Traffic Law Examination, which is integrated directly into the course.

Adults ages 18–24 who have never held a Texas driver's license are required to complete this course before applying for their license. Adults 25 and older may also take it voluntarily — completing the course allows them to take the official DPS written exam online rather than at a DPS office.

The total cost is $39.95 — a $29.95 course fee plus a $10 certificate and handling fee. The certificate fee covers the state-issued ADE-1317 certificate number with required security features, which is validated by Texas DPS at the driver license office.

The course is self-paced and fully online. You complete it through your web browser on any device. Lessons unlock sequentially and minimum instructional time is enforced. At the end of each lesson there is a short quiz. The final lesson concludes with the official 30-question Texas DPS Highway Sign and Traffic Law Examination, which you must pass with a score of 70% or higher to complete the course.

Your ADE-1317 completion certificate is emailed to you after you pass the DPS exam. This certificate confirms you completed the 6-hour course and passed the official written knowledge exam — you do not need to take the written test again at the DPS office. The certificate includes a control number required for ITAD registration.

After receiving your ADE-1317 certificate, you must complete two more steps before getting your license:

Does completing this course mean I skip the written test at the DPS? Yes. The ADE-1317 certificate proves you completed the official DPS written knowledge exam as part of the course. You do not need to take the written test again at the DPS office.

What is the ITAD course and do I have to do it? ITAD (Impact Texas Adult Drivers) is a free 1-hour video course from the Texas DPS. It is required before you can take your driving test. It is separate from this course and must be completed at impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov after you finish this course.

I am 25 — do I have to take this course? No. Adults 25 and older are not required to take driver education. However, many choose to enroll so they can complete the official DPS written exam online rather than at a DPS office.

Is there a driving skills test? Yes. You must still pass an in-car driving test at a DPS driver license office or approved third-party provider. This course covers the knowledge requirement only.

How long does it take to get my license after finishing the course? After completing the course, you need to complete ITAD (available immediately, free), then schedule a DPS appointment. DPS appointment availability varies by location.