Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte
Texas third party driver license testing lets you take the driving test at a driver education school that DPS has certified, instead of at a DPS office. DPS calls it the Third Party Skills Testing (TPST) program, and it covers the Class C driving test for a regular, non-commercial license. DPS lists what you need by age, and it says it does not regulate the fee each school charges.
Key Facts
- What it is: a DPS program that lets certified schools give the Class C driving test. See what TPST is.
- Who runs it: DPS certifies the schools and their examiners. See who certifies the schools.
- Ages 18 to 24: a course certificate, a valid restricted driver license and ITAD. See requirements by age.
- Ages 25 and up: a valid restricted driver license and ITAD. See requirements by age.
- Fees: set by the school and not regulated by DPS. See fees.
- Finding a school: DPS lists authorized schools by county. See how to find a school.
What Texas Third Party Driver License Testing Is
The DPS Third Party Skills Testing page explains the program. DPS “authorizes Driver Education schools that have been certified by the Department to administer the driving test.” It applies to Class C non-commercial license applicants.
DPS gives two goals. The program “is intended to ensure you have the knowledge and skills needed to safely operate a motor vehicle.” DPS also says it “reduces the time you must wait to take your driving test.”
The legal basis is in two places. One is DPS rule 37 TAC 15.61. The other is Transportation Code § 521.165.
Who Certifies the Schools
DPS runs this program, not TDLR. TDLR licenses driver education schools and instructors. DPS then decides which of them may give driving tests.
DPS rule 37 TAC 15.61 sets the school rules. A school signs an agreement with DPS, called a memorandum of understanding, or MOU. To qualify, the school must:
- Hold a valid TDLR driver education school license.
- Have held that license for at least one year.
- Make sure its students finish the right Impact Texas Drivers program.
- Follow the terms of the MOU.
The DPS page adds that schools must pass testing of their instructors and an audit and approval of the drive route.
Who Can Grade Your Test
The person who gives the test is a DPS-certified examiner. Under the same rule, an examiner must:
- Hold a TDLR driver education instructor license, held for at least one year.
- Hold a valid Texas driver license.
- Have no felony or criminally negligent homicide conviction, and no DWI or DUI conviction in the past seven years.
- Have fewer than six points on their Texas license.
- Finish the training DPS sets in the MOU.
Requirements by Age
The DPS page lists what each age group must have before a third-party driving test:
| Age group | Course certificate | License status | Impact Texas Drivers video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 and 17 | DE-964 or DEE-964 from a minor course | Learner license held at least six months | Impact Texas Teen Drivers |
| 18 to 24 | DE-964/DEE-964 or ADE-1317/ADEE-1317 | Valid restricted driver license | Impact Texas Adult Drivers |
| 25 and older | None required, but “highly recommended” | Valid restricted driver license | Impact Texas Adult Drivers |
For every group, the ITD certificate “must be dated within 90 days prior to taking the drive test.” DPS also says ITAD certificates must be printed. The ITAD FAQ says to “submit a paper copy to the driver license office or TPST School.”
The “Restricted Driver License” Line
For adults, DPS lists “a valid restricted driver license” as a requirement. The TPST page does not explain what that means. We could not find a DPS page that defines it for adults.
So ask before you book. Contact DPS or the school and ask what you must hold before a third-party drive test.
What Still Happens at DPS
A third-party school gives the driving test. The rest of the license process stays with DPS.
The DPS apply page lists the in-office steps. You hand in your application and documents, give thumbprints and a signature, have your photo taken and pay the fee. It also says, “You may complete the testing requirements at the DPS office or with a Third Party provider.”
DPS rule 37 TAC 15.62 says applicants doing an original license transaction at a driver license office must take a vision test there. So plan on at least one DPS visit.
School Test vs DPS Office Test
Both options lead to the same Class C license. Here is how they differ, based on DPS pages:
| Point | Driving test at a DPS office | Driving test at a TPST school |
|---|---|---|
| Who grades it | A DPS License and Permit Specialist | A DPS-certified examiner at the school |
| How you book | Texas DPS scheduler, up to 180 days ahead | Contact the school on the DPS list |
| Fees | The DPS license fee | The DPS license fee, plus the school’s own fee |
| Wait estimates | Posted in the DPS wait-times report | Not posted by DPS; ask the school |
| ITD certificate | Printed and dated within 90 days | Printed and dated within 90 days |
The vision test for an original license is at the DPS office either way. The handbook says the driving exam comes only after all other exams are passed.
How to Find a School
DPS keeps a list of authorized schools. The DPS TPST school list is sorted by county, in alphabetical order.
Each listing shows the school’s name, address and phone number. Some add an email, a website or a note, such as where off-site tests meet. The list gives no DPS booking link, so contact the school to schedule.
You can also check the school’s license with TDLR. Use the TDLR Driver Education Provider search. DPS requires a TPST school to hold a valid TDLR school license.
What the School Charges
DPS is clear on fees. “Fees assessed for a drive test administered by a Driver Education school are not regulated by the Department.” The page gives no dollar amounts.
That fee is separate from the DPS license fee. The DPS fee page lists $33 for a new license for ages 18 to 84, good for eight years. You pay that to DPS.
Ask each school for its full fee before you book. Ask what a retest costs too.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
DPS does not publish every detail of how each school works. These questions fill the gaps:
- Fee. What is the total, and what does it include?
- Retest. What happens and what does it cost if I do not pass?
- Results. How does my result reach DPS, and do I bring anything back to the office?
- Vehicle. Do I bring my own car, and what papers does it need?
- Paperwork. Which certificates should I bring, and in what form?
- License status. What must I hold before the test, given the “restricted driver license” line?
Write down the answers. They will help you compare schools.
Getting Ready for a School Test
A school test still follows DPS rules, so prepare the same way. Use this checklist:
- ITAD certificate. Printed on paper and dated within 90 days of the test.
- Course certificate. The ADE-1317 or DE-964, if you are 18 to 24.
- License status. Confirm you hold what DPS calls a valid restricted driver license.
- Other exams. Pass the other required exams first, since the driving test comes last.
- Skills. Review the four graded skills and the maneuver list in the handbook.
If anything on this list is unclear, call the school before test day.
How Results Reach DPS
The DPS TPST page does not say how adult results are sent to DPS. We did not find an official page that explains it.
Ask the school. It works under an MOU with DPS and should know the steps. Ask too whether you need to return to a DPS office after you pass.
The Test Itself
The Texas Driver Handbook names third-party schools as one place to take the driving exam. Its driving exam section lists four graded skills: control, observation, positioning and signaling.
It also lists the maneuvers you may be graded on. Our guide to Texas driving test skills and maneuvers covers each one. For logistics such as the vehicle check, see our Texas driving test guide.
If You Do Not Pass
Texas law allows three attempts at each part of the exam per application and fee, under Transportation Code § 521.161(d). The handbook says DPS holds your application for 90 days.
Ask the school how it handles a second try. Our guide on what to do if you fail the Texas driving test explains the DPS rules.
What We Found on the Official Pages
On the DPS pages we checked on October 26, 2026, the TPST school list carried a page date of September 24, 2020. Counties ran from Angelina to Wise. Some schools appeared under more than one county.
Because the list date is old, confirm each school is still taking tests. The TPST program page listed 37 TAC 15.61 and Transportation Code § 521.165 as its legal authority.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Each item comes from a DPS page or rule:
- Expecting DPS to set the price. DPS does not regulate school fees.
- Bringing an old ITAD certificate. It must be dated within 90 days of the drive test.
- Bringing ITAD on your phone. DPS requires a paper copy.
- Skipping the DPS visit. The vision test for an original license is at the office.
- Assuming any driving school can test. Only DPS-authorized schools may give the test.
- Forgetting the course certificate. Ages 18 to 24 need a DE-964 or ADE-1317.
How Requirements Can Vary
Texas driver license rules come from state law, Texas DPS rules and TDLR rules, and they apply statewide. What you need still depends on your age, whether you hold a license from another state, and which tests you have already passed.
Laws, fees and office procedures can change. Check the Texas DPS and TDLR websites for current rules before you book an appointment or enroll in a course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is third-party driver license testing in Texas?
It is a DPS program called Third Party Skills Testing. DPS certifies some driver education schools to give the Class C driving test.
Is TPST run by TDLR or DPS?
DPS runs it. TDLR licenses the schools and instructors, and DPS certifies which ones may give driving tests under an agreement with DPS.
How much does a third-party driving test cost?
Each school sets its own fee. DPS says these fees “are not regulated by the Department,” so ask the school.
Do I need ITAD for a third-party test?
Yes. DPS lists ITAD for ages 18 and up, and the certificate must be dated within 90 days before the drive test. Bring a printed copy.
Is third-party testing faster than DPS?
DPS says the program “reduces the time you must wait to take your driving test.” It does not publish wait times for the schools.
Can I take the vision test at the school?
DPS rule 37 TAC 15.62 says applicants doing an original license transaction at a driver license office must take a vision test there. Plan to take it at DPS.
Where can I find an authorized school?
DPS posts a list of authorized schools by county. Call the school to book, and confirm its TDLR license with TDLR’s provider search.
Can adults 25 and older use a third-party school?
Yes. DPS lists a valid restricted driver license and ITAD for this age group. Driver education is not required, but DPS calls it “highly recommended.”
Conclusion
Texas third-party testing moves the driving test to a DPS-certified school, while the rest of the process stays with DPS. Check the DPS list, ask the school about fees and results, and bring a printed ITAD certificate dated within 90 days. If you are 18 to 24, you also need the course certificate, and you can start with Driving Logic’s online Texas adult driver education course.
Related Articles
- Texas Driving Test: What to Expect and How to Prepare
- Texas Drivers License Test: Skills and Maneuvers Graded
- Failed Texas Driving Test? What to Do Next
Sources
- Texas DPS — Third Party Skills Testing Program
- Texas DPS — Schedule a Drive Test with an Authorized Third Party Skills Testing School
- Texas DPS — Apply for a Texas Driver License
- 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 15.62 — Impact Texas Drivers program
- Texas DPS — Driver License Fees
- TDLR — Driver Education Provider Search
- Texas DPS — Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, PDF)
- Texas DPS — Impact Texas Adult Drivers FAQ
- Texas Transportation Code Chapter 521 — Driver’s Licenses (PDF)
Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, a state-approved driver improvement course provider serving Texas and other U.S. states.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Texas driver license and driver education rules are set by Texas law, Texas DPS and TDLR, and they can change. Check the official DPS and TDLR websites for current requirements before you apply.