- 1030 W. Arkansas Ln Suite # 307, Arlington, TX 76013
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Texas DPS Authorized Road Test for Teens & Adults
Certified examiners. Same-day appointments.
Use our vehicle or bring your own.
Third Party Skills Testing Center (TPST)
We are approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety to administer the official road test.
No Long DPS Lines or Delays
Schedule your exam at a time that works for you often same-day or next-day availability.
Use Our Instructor Vehicle
Avoid vehicle requirements and safety checks, rent our test-ready car for your exam.
Fast Results & Immediate Paperwork
If you pass, we give you the official DPS certificate which you need to finalize your license.
Official Third Party Skills Testing at Arlington Driving Academy
Let’s be honest nobody wants to wait months for an appointment at the DPS or stand in long lines just to take a 10-minute driving test. The good news? You don’t have to.
At Arlington Driving Academy, you can skip the wait and take your 3rd Party driving test with us. We are a state-authorized school for 3rd Party driving test in Arlington, Texas. That means we give the exact same test that the DPS gives, and it counts just the same. The only difference? We’re faster, friendlier, and usually have appointments available right away.
Whether you are a teen ready for your provisional license or an adult getting licensed for the first time, we make the final step as simple and stress-free as possible.
Mohammad Mohsin Hassan
Driver Education Instructor, Texas License #2609
Passing Students with Test Certificate
What You Need to Bring for the DPS Authorized Road Test
Texas DPS Road Test Requirements
Teen Drivers (Under 18)
Eligibility
You must be at least 16 years old
Your learner permit must be held for a minimum of 6 months
Required Documents
DE-964 Certificate marked “For Driver License Only,” consisting of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
(24 hours for teens, effective December 2024)
Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Certificate: Finish the ITTD video course within 90 days of taking your test.
30-Hour Driving Log completed and signed
VOE (Verification of Enrollment) Form valid for 30 days, or provide a high school diploma
Who Needs to Come With You
A parent or guardian who signed the 30-hour log must be present at the test
Vehicle Requirements
Bring an insured and registered vehicle you feel comfortable driving
The car must pass a basic safety check before the test. Make sure the brake lights, turn signals, horn, and seat belts are working properly. The windshield should have no cracks that affect visibility, and confirm that the tires, mirrors, and doors are in good condition and fully functional.
Parent Taught Drivers
Eligibility
You must be at least 16 years old
Your learner permit must be held for a minimum of 6 months
All PTDE classroom and driving hours must be fully completed and recorded
Required Documents
DE-964 Certificate marked “For Driver License Only,” consisting of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
(24 hours for teens, effective December 2024)
Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Certificate
: Finish the ITTD video course within 90 days of taking your test.
30-Hour Driving Log completed and signed
VOE (Verification of Enrollment) form valid for 30 days, or provide a high school diploma
Parent Requirements
Be present at the appointment
Verify that all classroom and behind-the-wheel hours were completed
Vehicle Requirements
Bring an insured and registered vehicle you feel comfortable driving
The car must pass a basic safety check before the test. Make sure the brake lights, turn signals, horn, and seat belts are working properly. The windshield should have no cracks that affect visibility, and confirm that the tires, mirrors, and doors are in good condition and fully functional.
Adult Drivers (Age 18+)
Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old
Your Permit (B-Restricted License) must be held for a minimum of 6 months
Required Documents
ADE-1317 Certificate: If you are less than 25 years of age, you must have completed the 6-hour Texas Adult Driver Education course.
Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) Certificate: Finish the ITAD video course within 90 days of taking your test.
Valid ID and Documents: Have proof of identification, residence, vehicle insurance and registration.
Vehicle Requirements
Bring an insured and registered vehicle you feel comfortable driving
The car must pass a basic safety check before the test. Make sure the brake lights, turn signals, horn, and seat belts are working properly. The windshield should have no cracks that affect visibility, and confirm that the tires, mirrors, and doors are in good condition and fully functional.
What You Need to Know About the Texas DPS Authorized Road Test
What Is Included in a Road Test?
The Texas DPS Road Test is designed to evaluate your ability to drive safely and legally in real-world traffic conditions. Our certified examiners are not looking for perfection, but for control, observation, and safety.
During your 20-minute drive, you will be assessed on these crucial skills:
Vehicle Control: Smooth acceleration, gentle braking, and smooth steering.
Intersection Safety: It includes controlled turn, full stops at corner stop signs, and obeying traffic signals.
Lane Management: Examples include making lane changes safely, staying within your lane, and using turn signals.
Right-of-Way: Knowing when to yield to other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Special Maneuvers
Parallel Parking: You will have to park your car between two poles without making contact with either or with the curb.
Straight-Line Backing: Backing your vehicle slowly in a straight line for about 50 feet.
Observation: Checking mirrors and blind spots (“head checks”) before proceeding.
Common Mistakes That Cause Automatic Failures
Passing your road test requires avoiding simple but critical errors. Many skilled drivers fail not just because they cannot drive, but because they overlook into small details.
Watch out for these top failure points:
Rolling Stops: You have to bring your vehicle to a complete stop behind the white stop line at all stop signs.
Missing Head Checks: It doesn’t help to have mirrors. You have to turn your head for blind spots before making every turn.
Signal Neglect: Failing to signal or signaling too late for turn changes, lane changes, or parking.
Improper Yielding: Not yielding the right-of-way to traffic or pedestrians constitutes an immediate failure.
Speed Control: Driving at a rate well above or well below the limit will cost you marks.
DPS Authorized Road Test Packages
DPS Authorized Road Test Only
$75
- Official DPS Authorized road test
- You bring your own vehicle
- Must be registered, insured and roadworthy
- Best for students who already have a car
DPS Authorized Road Test + Vehicle Rental
$100
- Official DPS Authorized road test
- Our school car provided for the exam
- No need to bring a vehicle
- Best for students without an eligible car
DPS Authorized Road Test + 1 Hour Practice Lesson
$175
- Official DPS Authorized road test
- One hour of behind-the-wheel practice
- Our school car used for both
- Best for students who want a warm-up first
DPS Authorized Road Test Full Package
$175
- Official DPS Authorized road test
- ADA car included
- Practice road tests before the real one
- Help booking your DPS appointment
How the Texas DPS Authorized Road Test Works at Arlington Driving Academy
It is normal to feel nervous about your DPS road test but being prepared can help. Here is a quick look at what happens when you take your Texas DPS road test with us.
- Pre-Test Vehicle Check: Our examiner will inspect your vehicle to ensure it is safe and road ready. They will also check lights, signals, brakes, seat belts, horns and insurance certificates.
- Basic Driving Skills: You will be required to show basic driving skills like starting, stopping, reversing, and turning smoothly.
- Traffic Interaction: Our examiner will observe how you interact with traffic lights, signs, pedestrians, and other cars. This includes lane changes, merging, and yielding correctly.
- Parking and Control: You will be assessed on your capability of parking effectively, usually parallel parking as well as keeping control of your vehicle in tight spaces.
- Scoring and Feedback: Once the test is complete, our examiner will address your performance. Feedback will be given on what you do effectively and where you need to improve if required.
Who Can Take the Texas DPS Authorized Road Test at Arlington Driving Academy
- Teens who completed a Texas-approved Teen Driving Course: If you have completed your teenage driver education course and have obtained your learner’s permit, you are now qualified to take your official road test with us at DPS.
- Adults, 18+, with valid permit: Adults holding a valid Texas learner’s permit can book their DPS road test here in advance without having to wait for delays.
- Seniors requiring a skills assessment: Our driving school allows senior drivers to take a professional and state-authorized driving evaluation for renewing, refreshing, or verifying their driving skills.
- Out-of-state or out-of-country drivers requiring a Texas license: New drivers in Texas can take their required skills test through us, saving them from having to wait in long lines at DPS.
- Anyone who wants to avoid DPS wait times: Whether you are a teen or adult, you can skip the long lines and limited DPS availability by taking your official road test at our testing center.
Common questions about the Third Party Driving Test
Most adults are ready for the DPS road test within 5 to 10 hours of in-car instruction. Exact timeline depends on your comfort behind the wheel and prior driving experience, including any practice with a licensed adult.
Another name for the same thing. Public safety refers to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which sets and authorizes the test. A public safety road test, a DPS road test and a third party road test all mean the Texas driving skills test.
Third Party Skills Testing. It is the official term Texas DPS uses for schools authorized to give the driving skills test. Arlington Driving Academy is an authorized TPST site, TDLR-licensed #C3511.
Yes, if the school is a state-authorized TPST site. Arlington Driving Academy is an authorized TPST site, so you can take your road test here instead of testing at a DPS office.
The driving skills test and standards are the same. The difference is where the test is administered and the appointment availability.
It depends on our current availability, which can change week to week. Use the booking button on this page or call us on (469) 550-1743 and we will tell you the next open appointment.
No, we do not schedule road tests on Saturdays. Call us on (469) 550-1743 and we will find the next appointment that works for you.
Yes. The DPS Authorized road test is $75 if you bring your own registered, insured and roadworthy vehicle, or you can rent our car worth $100. Students who take lessons with us can also test in a car they have already driven.
No. You supply the vehicle for the road test. If you do not have one that meets the requirements, Arlington Driving Academy offers vehicle rental with the test for $100.
Bring your learner license or permit, proof of insurance and registration for the vehicle if you are bringing your own, your driver education certificate, your Impact Texas Drivers completion, and a licensed adult to accompany you if you are under 18. The full document list by driver category is on this page.
You can retake it. A retake is booked and paid at the same road test price: $75 if you bring your own vehicle, or $100 using one of ours.
The driving portion of the Texas road test is approximately 20 minutes, with additional time for paperwork and the appointment process.