What Is Module 1 and Why Is It Special
Module 1 is the first 6 hours of the Texas Teen Driver Education Course. It is special because completing it — and passing the DPS written permit exam at its end — allows a teen aged 15 or older to apply for a Texas Learner's Permit before finishing the full 24-hour course.
What Module 1 Covers
Module 1 covers all of the Texas traffic laws content that appears on the DPS written knowledge exam:
Texas licensing requirements, learner permit rules, and the point system
Right-of-way laws at all intersection types, railroad crossings, and emergency vehicle procedures
Traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings
Speed limits, passing, turning, and lane change laws
Freeway driving fundamentals
Alcohol and zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21
Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, and trucks
The DPS Permit Exam at the End of Module 1
After completing all 6 hours of Module 1, the teen takes the 30-question Texas DPS Highway Sign and Traffic Law Examination — the same written knowledge exam administered at DPS offices. Passing with 70% or higher (21 of 30) immediately generates the DE-964 6-Hour Permit Qualification Certificate.
What the Permit Certificate Does
The DE-964 Permit Certificate allows the teen to skip the written test at the DPS and apply directly for the Learner's Permit. The teen must be at least 15 years old to apply.
After Getting the Permit
Under the concurrent method, once the teen has the Learner's Permit, they can start behind-the-wheel practice while completing Modules 2–12 at the same time. The classroom and BTW phases run in parallel.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Module 1 length | 6 hours |
Content | Texas traffic laws — basis for DPS permit exam |
DPS exam | 30 questions, 70% passing — integrated at end of Module 1 |
Certificate issued | DE-964 6-Hour Permit Qualification Certificate |
Minimum age to apply for permit | 15 |
Method after permit | Concurrent (finish course + BTW at same time) or Block (finish all 24 hrs first) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 14-year-old complete Module 1 and take the permit exam? Yes. A 14-year-old can complete Module 1 and pass the DPS exam, but cannot apply for a Learner's Permit until they turn 15.
Can my teen start BTW practice before finishing Modules 2–12? Yes — that is the concurrent method. After getting the Learner's Permit following Module 1, the teen can start BTW training while completing the remaining 18 hours of classroom instruction.
What if my teen fails the DPS permit exam at the end of Module 1? They can retake it after a 24-hour cooldown. See the DPS permit exam failure article for details.
Is the Module 1 certificate the same as the full completion certificate? No. The DE-964 6-Hour Permit Qualification Certificate is for the Learner's Permit only. A separate DE-964 Full Completion Certificate is issued after all 24 hours are complete. The full certificate is needed for the Provisional License.
Does Module 1 have to be completed in one session? No. Module 1 is 6 hours and can be done in one session (6 hours is the daily maximum) or split across multiple days. Progress saves automatically.