In the State of Texas you are allowed to begin driving at the age of 15 years old with an instructional permit. You must be in your car accompanied with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age and has at least one year of experience driving. (Texas Department of Public Safety) Texas has also instituted a phase one and phase two of the Texas Graduated Driver’s License which was implemented by the Legislature in 2002. These phases provide for different requirements in order for drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 years old to maintain and keep in good standing their current license as well as to finally receive a full license instead of the provisional license. The requirements begin when a child is 15 years old and reflect the number of months and types of classes that a child must have in order to reach phase 2 of the Graduated Driver’s License stage. The Graduated License Phases are explained as follows and as stated in the Texas Driver’s Handbook, issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, 2008 (pages1-2 and1-3). If you have any questions or concerns regarding your license please contact the lawyers at the Wright Firm, www.thewrightlawyers.com.
GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE: The Texas Graduated Driver License (GDL)
Program was implemented January 1, 2002.
Phase One: Applicants under age 18 must hold an instruction permit or
hardship license for a minimum of six months prior to issuance of a provisional
Class A, B, or C driver license. Under the GDL program, there is
no minimum time that a person must hold a restricted motorcycle or
moped license before they can apply for a Class M license. Phase one
does not apply to Class M or hardship license holders. The instruction
permit must remain valid during the mandatory six-month period to meet
this regulation.
Phase Two: Phase Two restricts the driving privileges of persons under
18 years of age during the six-month period following the issuance of an
original Class A, B, or C driver license (Provisional License). These persons
may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in
the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member. In addition,
they may not operate a motor vehicle between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend
or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a
medical emergency. The license restriction will state, “TRC 545.424
applies until mm/dd/yy”.
Applicants 15 years of age presenting an out-of-state instruction permit
will be issued a Texas instruction permit which must be held for six
months from the date of issuance before becoming eligible for Phase
Two.
Applicants at least 16 years of age and less than 18 years old who present
a valid out-of-state instruction permit or out-of-state driver license will
be issued a Phase Two provisional GDL with passenger and time restrictions
for the first six months of operation of a motor vehicle in Texas.
If you have questions about Texas driving laws or any other Texas criminal law contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 or visit our website at www.thewrightlawyers.com.
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