Permit Testing

Permit Testing

Beginning March 1, 2010, driving schools will no longer be conducting the entire permit test. Beginners' licenses will then be required to have a photo, which will limit our role. We are still awaiting word to see in what capacity we will be able to assist our students and parents with this process.

Also, persons seeking class C licenses will have to do a road test with a Department of Public Safety official no matter when they began or completed their driver education.

Obtaining a driving permit requires the following:

  1. T.E.A. Form (provided by your school's attendance office)
    * Class may be started without one, but is required by the DPS in order to issue a driving permit. The TEA form expires 30 days from issuance. Be sure you permit test promptly after receiving one. If no longer in school, you must provide a diploma or GED.
  2. Original birth certificate or Texas ID Card. Hospital birth certificates are not accepted. Must be a certificate issued by the county with a stamped, embedded seal. NOTE: Students born outside of the U.S. must provide either a passport with a U.S. Visa, resident alien card, or citizenship papers - foreign birth certificates are not accepted.
  3. Social Security Card ("Actual Card" - no copies. Printout from Social Security Office, no longer accepted)
  4. Application (Provided by us) ... If you answer "yes" to any of the medical questions, you must complete a medical form from the D.P.S. office, and you must test at the D.P.S. office.
  5. DE 964 Form (Provided by us)
  6. Parent (Provided by you) - Must sign in front of a notary. (We provide a notary at testing.)

We offer permit testing for our students to obtain their beginner's license. Students are eligible to test for their permit after six hours of class.

Throughout the year we offer permit testing on selected Fridays or Saturdays in Garland, and on selected Saturdays in Wylie. Rockwall students can come to one of our other locations if necessary, however a D.P.S. office is located three doors down from our Rockwall School.

Check with a teacher or with the front desk for appointments and for weeks when testing is offered. In order for testing to be completed promptly, directions listed below must be read and followed.

Parents must accompany the student to sign the form in front of a notary. Permit testing is conducted by appointment only and averages 20 minutes. We hope that you find this service convenient and worthwhile. Our intention is to save you time by avoiding the long lines at the D.P.S. offices.

Students' permits or licenses expire on each birthday until they turn 18 years old. If a student is 19 years of age or older, they must test at the D.P.S. office. Permits and licenses must be renewed each birthday with a new T.E.A. form and a renewal fee paid until age 18.

The following is required to make an appointment:

  • Contract signed and initialed by parent/guardian
  • T.E.A. form & parent handout signed and submitted
  • A minimum of $360 paid

After making an appointment, students must have the following on hand to test:

  1. Parent or guardian to sign application (we will notarize this form).
  2. "Original" birth certificate issued by the county, with a stamped seal. "NO COPIES" or hospital versions will be accepted. A Texas ID Card can substitute for a birth certificate. NOTE: If a student is born outside the U.S., you must supply a passport with a U.S. Visa, a resident alien card, or citizenship papers. A foreign birth certificate is not accepted by the state.
  3. Original Social Security card. No copies will be accepted. A printout from Social Security Office is no longer accepted.
  4. $30.00 in check or cash. $20 if the $360 classroom fee is paid by 1st class day. No credit cards at testing. Permit testing is a separate service and is not part of our tuition.
  5. DE964 and T.E.A. form. If testing with us, we will keep these two forms at the front desk and have ready at your appointment. If testing at the D.P.S. office, you will need to pick up these documents after the third day of class and take with you for testing.

Permit licenses now require someone 21 years of age or older in the front seat with the new driver. Also, students must drive for a minimum of six months on their permit before they can apply for a driver's license. When a driver's license is received, the new driver can have no more than one minor in the car for the first six months.

Once you have completed permit testing with us, the D.P.S. must inspect all your documents. Therefore, we secure all paperwork in a sealed sleeve and take them to the D.P.S. If you are not comfortable with this arrangement, you will need to permit test at the D.P.S. Permits are usually returned to us by the following Thursday or Friday, and you can pick up all your documents at our front desk.