Texas DMV Permit Test · Class C Knowledge Test
Texas DMV Permit Test: Licensing, Alcohol, and Driver Responsibility Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers the laws that follow you as a driver: how teens earn a license step by step, what insurance you must carry, what to do after a crash, and the rules on alcohol, phones, and child seats.
A Texas teen can apply for a learner license at age 15. A learner must drive with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience sitting in the front passenger seat. During the first 12 months of a provisional license, a driver under 18 may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. except for work, a school activity, or a medical emergency, and may carry no more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
An adult is legally intoxicated at a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. A driver under 21 may not have any detectable alcohol. By driving in Texas you agree to give a breath or blood sample if arrested for DWI, and refusing for the first time leads to a 180-day license suspension. Texting while driving is illegal for everyone, drivers under 18 may not use any wireless device, and handheld phone use is banned in an active school crossing zone.
You must carry liability insurance of at least $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage. After a crash where someone is hurt, stop, share your information, and help the injured. If you hit an unattended car, leave a note with your name and address. Children under 8 must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches.
Key concepts
Learner license
You can apply at age 15. While driving, a learner must have a licensed driver age 21 or older, with at least one year of driving experience, in the front passenger seat.
Memory tip15 to start; the helper must be 21 with 1 year behind the wheel.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Provisional license limits
For a driver under 18 during the first 12 months of a provisional license: no driving from midnight to 5 a.m. except for work, a school activity, or a medical emergency, and no more than one passenger under 21 who is not family.
Memory tipMidnight to 5 is off-limits; one young friend at most.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Alcohol limits
A driver 21 or older is legally intoxicated at a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. A driver under 21 may not drive with any detectable amount of alcohol.
Memory tipAdults: 0.08. Under 21: zero.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Implied consent
By driving in Texas, you agree to give a breath or blood specimen if you are arrested for DWI. If you refuse for the first time, your license is suspended for 180 days.
Memory tipDriving = you already said yes to the test. First refusal = 180 days.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Phone laws
No driver may read, write, or send a text message while the car is moving. Drivers under 18 may not use any wireless device, even hands-free, except in an emergency. In an active school crossing zone, a handheld phone may be used only when the car is stopped.
Memory tipTexting: banned for all. Under 18: no phone at all. School zone: hands off.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Minimum insurance
Texas requires liability insurance of at least $30,000 for each injured person, $60,000 for each crash, and $25,000 for property damage, often written as 30/60/25.
Memory tip30/60/25: the middle number is the first one doubled.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Child safety seats
A child younger than 8 must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat that fits, unless the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches.
Memory tipUnder 8 and under 4'9" means a car seat or booster.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Often tested
- Under-21 alcohol questions: the answer is any detectable amount, not 0.08 or 0.02.
- First refusal of a breath or blood test leads to a 180-day suspension.
- Phone rules differ by age: texting is banned for all, but drivers under 18 may not use even hands-free.
- Know 30/60/25 for insurance and the midnight to 5 a.m. limit for teen provisional drivers.
- In a minor freeway crash with no injuries where cars can move, move them out of the main lanes.
Easy to confuse: Phone rules by driver and place
| Driver or place | Texting | Handheld calls | Hands-free calls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult, regular road | Not allowed | Allowed by state law (some cities ban it) | Allowed |
| Adult, active school crossing zone | Not allowed | Only when stopped | Allowed |
| Driver under 18 | Not allowed | Not allowed (emergency only) | Not allowed (emergency only) |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. A teen with a Texas learner license wants to practice driving. Who must be in the front passenger seat?
- ① Any licensed driver who is at least 18 years old
- ② A licensed driver age 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience
- ③ Any adult, even one without a driver license
- ④ No one, if the teen drives only during the day
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ② A licensed driver age 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience
Key point: Learner license: licensed driver 21+ in the front seat
A learner license holder may drive only with a licensed driver age 21 or older who has held a license for at least one year sitting in the front passenger seat.
Wrong choices
- Any licensed driver who is at least 18 years old: An 18-year-old does not meet the age 21 requirement.
- Any adult, even one without a driver license: The supervising adult must hold a valid driver license.
- No one, if the teen drives only during the day: There is no daytime exception; a supervising driver is always required.
Question 2. A 17-year-old Texas driver gets a phone call while driving. What does the law allow?
- ① Calls from a parent only, if they are kept short
- ② No phone use, even hands-free, except in an emergency
- ③ Any phone use while stopped at a red light
- ④ Hands-free calls only, as long as there is no texting
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ② No phone use, even hands-free, except in an emergency
Key point: Under 18: no phone use while driving, even hands-free
Texas law says a driver under 18 may not use a wireless communication device while driving, including hands-free, except in an emergency.
Wrong choices
- Hands-free calls only, as long as there is no texting: Hands-free use is allowed for adults, but not for drivers under 18.
- Any phone use while stopped at a red light: The ban covers operating the vehicle, and stopping at a red light is still driving in traffic.
- Calls from a parent only, if they are kept short: There is no exception for calls from a parent.
Question 3. An adult driver in Texas wants to read a text message while the car is moving. Is this legal?
- ① Yes, if the driver is 18 or older
- ② Yes, if the car is going under 30 mph
- ③ No, reading or sending texts while driving is illegal for all drivers
- ④ Yes, as long as the driver does not reply
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ No, reading or sending texts while driving is illegal for all drivers
Key point: Texting while driving is illegal statewide for all ages
Texas law makes it illegal for any driver to read, write, or send an electronic message on a handheld device while the vehicle is moving. A first offense brings a fine of $25 to $99; repeat offenses cost more.
Wrong choices
- Yes, if the driver is 18 or older: Being an adult does not make texting while driving legal.
- Yes, as long as the driver does not reply: Reading a message is banned, not just sending one.
- Yes, if the car is going under 30 mph: There is no low-speed exception.