Guides / Texas driver license practice test 2026 (free, from the DPS handbook)
Texas driver license practice test 2026 (free, from the DPS handbook)
26 free practice questions for the Texas written driver license knowledge test, written from the Texas Driver Handbook (Texas Department of Public Safety, DL-7). Tap an answer to see if you got it right, why, and where to read more. No sign-up, no ads.
Not affiliated with the Texas government. Questions are our own wording, based on the official handbook (revised December 2024). Laws change: always study the current official handbook as well.
Texas permit test practice: 26 questions
1. What is the speed limit in an urban district in Texas unless a sign says otherwise?
Answer: 30 mph. The handbook lists 30 mph for an urban district. Cities and counties can change limits, so always obey the posted sign. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits
2. What is the speed limit in an alley?
Answer: 15 mph. The speed limit in an alley is 15 mph. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits
3. How much time should you keep between your car and the one ahead at speeds above 30 mph in good conditions?
Answer: 4 seconds. At 30 mph or less keep at least 2 seconds; above 30 mph keep a 4-second gap. Four seconds is also the best practice for beginning drivers. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits
4. How far before a turn must you signal?
Answer: At least 100 feet. Signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning or stopping, and turn the signal off after the turn. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 6: Signaling, Passing, and Turning
5. When must you use your headlights?
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, or when people and vehicles can't be seen for 1,000 feet. Use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, or any time you can't see people or vehicles clearly for at least 1,000 feet. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations
6. You must switch to low beams when you come within what distance of an approaching vehicle?
Answer: 500 feet. Use low beams within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle, and when following closely (within 300 feet) behind another vehicle. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations
7. How close to a fire hydrant may you park or stand?
Answer: No closer than 15 feet. Do not park or stand within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing
8. How close to a crosswalk at an intersection may you park or stand?
Answer: No closer than 20 feet. Do not park or stand within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing
9. You may not park within how far of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing?
Answer: 50 feet. Do not park within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing
10. How close to a stop sign or yield sign at the side of the road may you park?
Answer: No closer than 30 feet. Do not park or stand within 30 feet on the approach to a flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or other traffic control signal at the side of a road. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing
11. A railroad signal is flashing and a train is approaching. Where must you stop?
Answer: Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail when a signal warns of a train, a gate is lowered, or a train is visible and close. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 4: Right-of-Way
12. You may not pass another vehicle within how many feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct or tunnel?
Answer: 100 feet. The handbook says no passing within 100 feet of or crossing an intersection or railroad crossing, or within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 6: Signaling, Passing, and Turning
13. A school bus is stopped with alternately flashing red lights. What must you do?
Answer: Stop, whether you approach from either direction (unless on a different road or a divided controlled-access highway), and wait until the bus moves, the driver signals you or the lights stop. You must stop and not pass until the bus moves, the driver signals you to proceed, or the red lights stop flashing. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 4: Right-of-Way
14. You may not follow a fire truck answering an alarm, or an ambulance with flashing red lights, closer than:
Answer: 500 feet. Do not follow within 500 feet of a fire truck answering an alarm or an ambulance with its flashing red lights on. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 4: Right-of-Way
15. A police car is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. On a multi-lane road, what does the Slow Down or Move Over law require?
Answer: Slow to 20 mph below the speed limit, or move out of the lane closest to the vehicle. Reduce your speed to 20 mph below the limit, or move out of the lane closest to the stopped emergency, tow, TxDOT or similar vehicle if the road has several lanes in your direction. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits
16. What blood alcohol concentration makes a driver age 21 or older legally intoxicated in Texas?
Answer: 0.08 or more. A person 21 or older is legally intoxicated at a BAC of 0.08 or more. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 10: Alcohol and Drug Impact on the Driving Ability
17. A minor is stopped and has any detectable amount of alcohol, below 0.08. What can happen?
Answer: The minor's driver license can be suspended or driving privilege denied. Minors face license suspension, or denial of the privilege if not licensed, for any detectable amount of alcohol. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 10: Alcohol and Drug Impact on the Driving Ability
18. With a provisional license (Phase Two of the GDL), how many passengers under 21 who are not family members may you carry?
Answer: One at most. You may not drive with more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 1: Your License to Drive
19. A provisional license holder under 18 generally may not drive between:
Answer: Midnight and 5 a.m.. The restriction is midnight to 5:00 a.m. unless driving is needed for work, school activities or a medical emergency. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 1: Your License to Drive
20. Who may supervise a driver with a Texas learner license?
Answer: A licensed driver at least 21 with one year of driving experience sitting beside the learner. The supervising driver must be at least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience, and must sit in the seat beside the driver. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 1: Your License to Drive
21. How long must a minor hold a learner license before getting a provisional license?
Answer: 6 months. Phase One of the GDL requires a learner license for a minimum of six months before a provisional license is issued. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 1: Your License to Drive
22. What score do you need to pass a Texas knowledge exam?
Answer: 70 percent. You must score 70 percent or better to pass any knowledge exam. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 1: Your License to Drive
23. Who must wear a safety belt in a passenger vehicle that has them?
Answer: The driver and all passengers, regardless of age. The driver and all passengers, regardless of age, must use safety belts if the seat has one. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 14: Additional Safety Tips
24. A child under 8 years old rides in a vehicle with seat belts. When is a federally approved child car seat NOT required?
Answer: When the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Children under 8 must be in a federally approved child car seat unless they are more than 4 feet 9 inches tall. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 14: Additional Safety Tips
25. How far must the horn be able to be heard on a vehicle?
Answer: 200 feet. Horns must be heard for a minimum distance of 200 feet. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 2: Vehicle Inspection and Registration
26. What is the minimum tire tread depth required on all vehicles?
Answer: 2/32 of an inch. All vehicles must have tires in proper and safe condition with a minimum depth of 2/32 of an inch. Source: California Driver's Handbook, Chapter 2: Vehicle Inspection and Registration
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How the Texas test works
- You need a score of 70 percent or better to pass any Texas knowledge exam.
- A learner license is available from age 15 with driver education. Under 18 you must hold it for at least six months before a provisional license.
- Drivers under 18 may not use a wireless communication device, including hands-free, except in an emergency.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Texas Department of Public Safety, DL-7).
The numbers people mix up most
- 15 feet: from a fire hydrant (parking). 20 feet: from a crosswalk at an intersection. 30 feet: from a stop or yield sign at the roadside. 50 feet: from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
- 15 to 50 feet: where to stop from the nearest rail when a train is coming.
- 100 feet: signal before a turn, and no passing near intersections, bridges or tunnels.
- 500 feet: low beams for oncoming vehicles, and don't follow a fire truck or ambulance with flashing lights.
- 2 seconds at 30 mph or less, 4 seconds above 30 mph: following gap.
Practice for other states
California DMV practice test · Florida driver license practice test
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need to pass the Texas written test?
You need 70 percent or better to pass any Texas knowledge exam, according to the Texas Driver Handbook.
Are these the real Texas DPS questions?
No. They are our own questions written from the official Texas Driver Handbook (revised December 2024). Study the current handbook too.
What is the Texas urban speed limit?
The handbook lists 30 mph for an urban district and 15 mph in an alley, unless a sign says otherwise.
How old do I have to be for a Texas learner license?
At least 15, with driver education. Under 18 you must hold it for at least six months before a provisional license.