Book your Texas driving test through the Texas Department of Public Safety website or by phone, not through a third party
To schedule a driving test in Texas, you contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) directly. You can book online at the DPS website or call your local DPS office. The online system lets you pick your test location, preferred date, and time slot. If you call, a staff member will walk you through available times and confirm your appointment over the phone.
You cannot book through a private testing service or third-party website. Texas only recognizes appointments made through DPS. If you see another site offering to schedule your test, that is not an official channel and will not result in a valid appointment.
Before you book, have your learner's permit number and a valid form of identification ready. You will also need to know which DPS office location is most convenient for you — Texas has multiple regional offices, and you can only test at the one where you book.
Key Takeaways
- Schedule your driving test by visiting the official DPS website or calling your local DPS office; no other method creates a valid appointment.
- You must bring your learner's permit, a valid ID, and proof of vehicle registration and insurance to your test appointment.
- Test slots fill quickly in urban areas, so book as far in advance as the system allows — usually several weeks ahead.
- If you miss your appointment without canceling, you forfeit your fee and must book again; cancellations should be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled time.
- The DPS website shows real-time availability at each location, so you can see when ready whether your preferred date and time are open.
Schedule online through the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS website and navigate to the driving test scheduling section. You will enter your learner's permit number and date of birth to access the booking system. The system will show you all DPS office locations in Texas and display available appointment slots for each one.
Select your preferred location first. If you live in a city with multiple DPS offices, you can compare availability across all of them — sometimes a location 20 minutes away has open slots when your nearest office is booked solid for weeks. Once you pick a location, the calendar will show which dates have openings and what times are available on each date.
Choose your date and time, then confirm your personal information. The system will send you a confirmation email with your appointment number, location address, and the exact time you need to arrive. Save this email or write down your appointment number — you will need it if you have to reschedule or if there is a question on test day.
Call your local DPS office to book by phone
If you prefer to book over the phone, call the DPS office in your county or the county where you want to test. You can find the phone number on the DPS website by searching for your location. Have your learner's permit number ready when you call.
A DPS staff member will ask which dates and times work for you, then check availability in real time. They will confirm your appointment over the phone and may email or mail you a confirmation. Write down your appointment number and the exact date and time before you hang up — do not rely on memory.
Phone lines are often busy, especially in the morning and on weekdays. If you cannot reach anyone, try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon, or use the online system instead. Some offices have a callback option where you leave your number and they call you back when a representative is free.
What to bring on your test day
Bring your learner's permit and a valid photo ID — a state ID, passport, or military ID all work. You must also bring proof of vehicle registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will use during the test. These documents must be current; expired registration or insurance will disqualify you from testing that day.
Bring the vehicle itself in safe, working condition. The examiner will check that your brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and horn all function before the test begins. If any safety feature is broken, the test will not proceed and you will lose your appointment fee.
Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Bring a pen in case you need to fill out any paperwork. Do not bring passengers other than the examiner — most DPS offices do not allow family members or friends to wait in the testing vehicle.
Understand the fee and what happens if you miss your appointment
Texas charges a fee for each driving test attempt. The fee amount varies slightly by location but is typically in the range of $7 to $10. You pay this fee when you book your appointment, either online or over the phone. The fee is non-refundable if you do not show up.
If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose the fee and must book and pay again for a new slot. If you know you cannot make your appointment, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled time. Most online systems let you cancel directly; if you booked by phone, call the office to cancel.
If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice or do not show up, you will have to pay the fee again to reschedule. Some offices may require you to wait a certain number of days before you can book your next attempt, though this policy varies by location.
Know what to expect during the test itself
The driving test in Texas lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. The examiner will ask you to perform basic maneuvers: starting the vehicle, driving on city streets and highways, parking, backing up, and making turns. You will also perform a three-point turn or parallel park, depending on the examiner's choice.
The examiner scores you on vehicle control, following traffic laws, and awareness of other vehicles and pedestrians. You must pass both the written portion (which you usually complete before the driving portion) and the driving portion to pass overall. If you fail the driving test, you can book another appointment and try again, but you will pay the fee each time.
Bring your learner's permit holder with you in the vehicle during the test. The examiner will review it before you start driving. If you do not have your permit, the test will not proceed.
Reschedule if your plans change
If you need to change your appointment date or time, log back into the DPS website using your appointment number and learner's permit information. The system will let you view your current appointment and select a new date and time from available slots. You do not pay an additional fee to reschedule — you only pay once, when you first book.
If you booked by phone, call the same DPS office and provide your appointment number. A staff member will cancel your current slot and book you for a new one. Again, there is no extra charge for rescheduling.
Reschedule as soon as you know your plans have changed. Available slots fill quickly, especially in busy areas, so waiting too long may leave you with only distant dates or inconvenient times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I book my driving test?
The DPS website typically allows you to book several weeks ahead, though the exact window varies by location and demand. In urban areas with high testing volume, available slots may be booked 4 to 6 weeks out. In rural areas, you may find openings closer to the current date. Book as soon as the system opens slots for your preferred location.
What if all appointment slots are full in my area?
Check nearby DPS office locations — a 20 or 30-minute drive to another office often reveals open slots. You can also check the website daily, as cancellations create new openings throughout the week. Some people find that calling the office directly reveals slots not yet shown online, though this is not may provide.
Can someone else pick up my appointment confirmation for me?
No. You must be the person who appears for the test. The examiner will check your ID against your appointment record. If you do not show up in person, your appointment is forfeited and you must book again.
What happens if I fail my driving test?
You can schedule another test appointment by following the same booking process. You will pay the test fee again for each new attempt. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, though some people choose to take additional driving lessons between attempts.
Is there a way to book a test faster if I am in a hurry?
No. All appointments are scheduled through the same DPS system, and you can only book available slots. If your area is fully booked, you cannot pay extra to jump the queue. Your only option is to check daily for cancellations or travel to a less busy location.