According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with the graduated driver licensing they have in place Phase one of the licensing process is a learner's permit. 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. In addition, the minimum age of the person who must accompany any instruction permit holder during the operation of the vehicle is 21 years of age

Once the applicant has held a valid instruction permit or hardship license for a minimum of six months, has reached the age of 16 for a Class C license (17 years of age for a Class A or B non-CDL), and has completed both the classroom and laboratory (driving) portions of driver education, they are eligible to "graduate" to Phase Two.

Phase Two of the Texas graduated drivers licensing (GDL) process 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). When you obtain a TX provisional license though you can start driving alone, without a supervising driver as your passenger.

With a provisional license in Texas there is a passenger restriction, you 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.

You may also 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. In addition, you may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communication device.

Upon completion of the six-month period, the above time and/or passenger restrictions no longer apply. The licensee may wish to apply for a duplicate license at a driver license office to remove this restriction. A fee is required to obtain a duplicate license. If not, this restriction will be removed at the time the applicant renews the license on their next birthday, provided the Phase Two six-month time has lapsed.

You can learn about teen car insurance here as well as get a quote for your young driver insurance needs.