DE-964 vs. ADE-1317:
Which Texas Driver Education Certificate Do You Need?
The DE-964 and ADE-1317 are official Texas driver education certificates, but they are issued for different courses and age groups.
- DE-964: Generally used by teen driver education students.
- ADE-1317: Issued after completing an approved six-hour adult driver education course.
You receive the appropriate certificate from Virtual Driver's Ed or your licensed driver education provider—not directly from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DE-964 and ADE-1317 at a Glance
| Certificate |
Who Needs It? |
When Is It Issued? |
Where Is It Used? |
| DE-964 |
Teen driver education students, generally under 18 |
After the required classroom portion for a learner license or after completing the full teen program |
Presented during the learner license or provisional license process |
| ADE-1317 |
Adults completing a six-hour adult driver education course, especially first-time applicants ages 18–24 |
After successfully completing the approved adult course |
Presented when applying for a Texas driver license |
What Is a DE-964 Certificate?
The DE-964 is the Texas Driver Education Certificate used to verify a student’s progress or completion in an approved teen driver education program.
Depending on the course and stage of training, a student may receive a DE-964:
- After completing and passing the first six hours of a concurrent-method learner permit course
- After completing all 24 classroom hours under the block method
- After completing the full teen driver education program required for a provisional license
Texas DPS officially refers to the permit as a learner license, although many families call it a learner permit.
When Do You Receive the DE-964?
The timing depends on which teen driver education method you choose.
Concurrent Method
With the concurrent method, a student completes the first six hours of classroom instruction and passes the required knowledge exam. The provider can then issue the appropriate DE-964 documentation needed to apply for a learner license.
The student must be at least 15 years old before applying to DPS. After receiving the learner license, the student continues the remaining classroom lessons and required driving instruction.
Block Method
With the block method, the student completes all 24 classroom hours and passes the knowledge exam before applying for a learner license. The DE-964 is issued after the required classroom portion is successfully completed.
The Texas Department of Public Safety recognizes both methods.
Full Teen Driver Education Completion
Before applying for a provisional driver license, a teen must complete the full driver education program, including the required classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training.
The student will need driver education documentation showing completion, along with other required items, such as the learner license, Verification of Enrollment when applicable, the Impact Texas Teen Drivers certificate, and driving test results. Review the current Texas provisional license requirements before the appointment.
Where Do You Use the DE-964?
A DE-964 may be required when a teen:
- Applies for a Texas learner license
- Applies for a provisional driver license
- Takes or documents completion of a driving test
- Transfers driver education records to another approved Texas provider
The DE-964 is not a learner license or driver license. It is proof that the required driver education has been completed for that stage of licensing.
What Is an ADE-1317 Certificate?
The ADE-1317 is the Texas Adult Driver Education Certificate. It is issued after a student successfully completes an approved six-hour adult driver education course.
Texas requires first-time driver license applicants ages 18 through 24 to complete driver education unless an exemption applies, such as surrendering a valid, unexpired license from another state as a new Texas resident.
Driver education is generally not required for applicants age 25 or older, although an older applicant may still choose to take an adult course for preparation. See the current Texas DPS adult licensing requirements.
Where Do You Use the ADE-1317?
The ADE-1317 is submitted during the Texas driver's license application process as proof that the adult education requirement has been completed.
Applicants must still meet the other DPS requirements, which may include:
- Proof of identity and lawful presence
- Proof of Texas residency
- Social Security number
- Vision screening
- Knowledge or driving-test requirements
- A current Impact Texas Drivers certificate before the road test
What Is the Difference Between the DE-964 and ADE-1317?
The simplest difference is the type of course completed:
- DE-964 = teen driver education
- ADE-1317 = six-hour adult driver education
They are not interchangeable. A teen generally cannot substitute an adult certificate for the required teen program.
Likewise, someone who turns 18 after beginning teen driver education cannot count a few completed hours in teen driver education as the six-hour adult course. According to the TDLR student FAQs, the student must either complete the full teen program or take the complete six-hour adult course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a DE-964 after only six hours?
Yes. Under the concurrent method, a student may receive the DE-964 documentation needed for a learner's license after successfully completing the first six classroom hours and passing the required knowledge exam. The remaining teen driver education requirements must still be completed.
Do I get another DE-964 after finishing the full teen course?
Virtual Driver's Ed or your provider will issue or complete the appropriate DE-964 documentation showing the stage of driver education you have completed. For a provisional license, DPS needs documentation showing that the full required teen program has been finished.
Who issues these certificates?
Virtual Driver's Ed or the licensed driver education provider that supplied the course issues the DE-964 or ADE-1317. DPS does not issue driver education completion certificates.
What if I lose my certificate?
Contact Virtual Driver's Ed or the driver education provider that issued it. If you completed parent-taught driver education, contact the approved parent-taught course provider. TDLR directs students to their original provider for duplicate certificates.
Is the electronic DEE-964 different?
The DEE-964 is an electronic version of the teen driver education certificate. Texas DPS lists the DE-964 and DEE-964 as accepted driver education documentation.
Ready to Start Texas Driver Education?
Choose the course that matches the student’s age and licensing goal:
Start your Texas driver education course online and receive the state-required certificate upon successful completion of the applicable course requirements.