Texas DMV Test 2025: Everything You Need to Know

When I moved to Texas from California three years ago, one of the first things I had to do was get my Texas driver's license. I thought it would be straightforward since I'd been driving for years, but the permit test had a bunch of Texas-specific rules that I'd never encountered before. The test isn't hard if you prepare properly, but you can't just wing it and expect to pass.

Understanding the Test Format

The Texas Department of Public Safety gives you 30 multiple-choice questions, and you need to get at least 21 correct to pass. That's a 70% passing score, which sounds manageable, but the questions can be tricky if you haven't studied the material. The test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices that are specific to Texas.

You can find the official study material in the Texas Driver Handbook on the DPS website. It's free to download, and honestly, everything on the test comes from this handbook. I spent about three days reading through it and taking practice tests before I felt ready.

The Move Over Law Will Be on Your Test

One law that definitely shows up on the test is the Move Over or Slow Down law. This is Texas Transportation Code Section 545.157, and it's pretty straightforward once you understand it. When you see emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road with their lights flashing, you're required to move over one lane if it's safe to do so.

If you can't move over because of traffic or road conditions, you have to slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. So if you're on a highway with a 70 mph speed limit and you can't change lanes, you need to slow down to 50 mph. I've seen people get pulled over for not following this rule on I-35, and the fines are steep. The Texas Department of Transportation has more details about this law if you want to read up on it.

Texas Speed Limits Are Higher Than Most States

Coming from California, I was shocked to see 85 mph speed limit signs on certain highways in Texas. The test will ask you about speed limits in different areas, so you need to memorize these numbers. In urban areas, the default speed limit is 30 mph unless there's a sign saying otherwise. School zones drop down to 25 mph when children are present or when the signs are flashing.

On Texas interstates, the speed limits range from 75 to 85 mph depending on which highway you're on. State Highway 130 between Austin and San Antonio has an 85 mph limit, which is the highest in the country. In residential alleys, the speed limit is just 15 mph. These specific numbers come up on the test, so make sure you know them cold.

Zero Tolerance for Underage Drinking

If you're under 21, Texas has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol. Any detectable amount of alcohol in your system while driving will get your license suspended. It doesn't matter if you're just barely over zero—the law is strict about this. On top of losing your license, you'll likely have to complete 20 to 40 hours of community service and take an alcohol awareness course.

The test always includes questions about DUI penalties and the consequences of drinking and driving. The Texas DPS website has a whole section explaining the penalties for DUI, and it's worth reading through because those details can show up on the exam.

Right-of-Way Rules Are Heavily Tested

A big chunk of the test focuses on right-of-way scenarios, which makes sense because that's where a lot of accidents happen. The basic rule is that you yield to whoever has the right of way, but knowing who has the right of way in different situations is what trips people up.

At roundabouts, you always yield to traffic that's already in the circle before you enter. At uncontrolled intersections where there are no stop signs or traffic lights, you yield to vehicles approaching from your right. Emergency vehicles with their sirens and lights on always have the right of way, no matter what. You need to pull over and stop until they pass.

I remember getting a question about turning left at an intersection with oncoming traffic, and the answer was that you have to yield to oncoming vehicles before making your turn. It seems obvious, but under test pressure, it's easy to second-guess yourself.

School Bus Laws Are Different in Texas

Texas has specific laws about passing school buses that you need to know for the test. If a school bus stops and puts out its stop sign with flashing red lights, you must stop—regardless of which direction you're traveling. The only exception is if you're on a divided highway with a physical barrier or median separating the lanes. In that case, traffic on the opposite side doesn't have to stop.

But if it's just a painted line or a turn lane separating you from the bus, you still have to stop. I got this question wrong on a practice test because I assumed a center turn lane counted as a barrier. It doesn't. The law is strict because they want to protect kids getting on and off the bus.

How I Prepared for the Test

I started by reading the Texas Driver Handbook cover to cover, which took me about two to three hours spread over a couple of days. Then I found practice tests online and started taking them every night for about a week. The practice tests were crucial because they showed me which topics I was weak on.

For me, the road sign questions were the hardest. There are a lot of signs that look similar but mean different things, and you need to know the exact meanings. I made flashcards for the signs I kept mixing up, like the difference between a "No Passing Zone" sign and a "Do Not Enter" sign.

By the time I took the actual test, I was consistently scoring 90% or higher on practice tests, and the real exam felt easier than the practice ones. The questions were straightforward, and I finished in about 15 minutes. If you study the handbook and take enough practice tests, you'll pass without any problems.

Taking the Test at the DPS Office

In Texas, you take the test at a Department of Public Safety office, not a "DMV" like other states call it. You can schedule an appointment online through the Texas DPS appointment system, which I highly recommend because walk-ins can wait for hours.

Bring your identification documents, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. I brought my passport, a utility bill, and my Social Security card. The test is taken on a computer at the DPS office, and you get your results immediately when you finish. If you pass, they'll take your photo and issue your permit right there.

One thing to note: if you fail, you have to wait one day before you can retake the test. So it's worth taking the time to prepare properly rather than rushing in and having to come back.