Texas DPS Glossary

Every key term from the Texas DPS knowledge test, drive test score sheet, or DL-7 itself — defined in plain English with the DL-7 chapter cited. Use Ctrl-F to find a specific term.

A

Administrative License Revocation (ALR)

Civil license suspension that follows a failed or refused chemical test for DWI. ALR is independent of any criminal case. $125 reinstatement fee. (DL-7 Chapter 1, Chapter 10)

Aggressive Driving

Repeated traffic violations like tailgating, brake-checking, weaving, or excessive speed combined with intent to obstruct other drivers. Discussed in DL-7 Chapter 9.

Alley

A narrow service road in a downtown or commercial area. Texas alley speed limit is 15 mph (DL-7 Chapter 8).

B

BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration)

Percentage of alcohol in your blood. Texas adult limit: 0.08 = DWI. Under 21: any detectable amount = DUI. (DL-7 Chapter 10)

Blind Spot

Area to the rear-left and rear-right of your vehicle that mirrors don't cover. You must turn your head to check before lane changes. (DL-7 Chapter 6)

C

CDL (Commercial Driver License)

License required to operate commercial motor vehicles. Subject to additional restrictions including stricter BAC rules. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Class C Driver License

The standard non-commercial Texas driver license. Allows operation of regular passenger vehicles and some smaller trucks. Validity: 8 years for adults 18 to 84, $33. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Class M License

Texas motorcycle operator license. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Coasting

Driving with the gears or transmission in neutral. Illegal on a downgrade in Texas. (DL-7 Chapter 7)

Controlled-Access Highway

A highway where vehicles can enter and exit only at interchanges (DL-7 Chapter 4 Glossary).

Crosswalk

Marked or unmarked pedestrian crossing at an intersection. Pedestrians have right-of-way. Parking within 20 feet is prohibited. (DL-7 Chapter 4, Chapter 7)

D

DL-7

The publication number of the Texas Driver Handbook. Current edition: Revised January 2026.

DL-7C

The Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook (the CDL companion handbook). (DL-7 Chapter 1)

DL-77

The application form for a hardship license issued to certain minors. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

DPS (Texas Department of Public Safety)

The Texas state agency that issues driver licenses, oversees DPS officers, and publishes the DL-7. Headquartered in Austin.

Driver Education Course

State-approved course required for Texas drivers under 18 (and adults 18 to 24 per dps.texas.gov). Includes a classroom phase and a behind-the-wheel phase. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

DUI (Driving Under the Influence)

The Texas charge for a minor (under 21) driving with any detectable amount of alcohol. Class C misdemeanor on first offense. (DL-7 Chapter 10)

DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)

The Texas adult (21+) charge for driving with BAC 0.08 or higher, or otherwise intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Penalties scale with offense count. (DL-7 Chapter 10)

E

Emergency Vehicle

Police, fire, ambulance, and other authorized vehicles using lights and sirens. Yield by pulling to the right and stopping. Don't follow within 500 feet. (DL-7 Chapter 4)

EPAMD (Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Device)

Self-balancing device used by mobility-impaired persons (e.g., Segway). Treated under specific Texas rules. (DL-7 reference)

F

Financial Responsibility

Proof of vehicle insurance or other accepted alternatives. Must cover Texas minimum: $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000. (DL-7 Chapter 2)

Frontage Road

A service road parallel to a controlled-access highway. Drivers on a frontage road must yield to vehicles entering or leaving the highway. (DL-7 Chapter 4)

G

GDL (Graduated Driver License)

Texas's two-phase teen-licensing program. Phase 1 = Learner License. Phase 2 = Provisional License. Restrictions apply until age 18. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

H

Hardship License

A restricted license issued to certain minors who must drive due to qualifying circumstances. Application via form DL-77. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Hands-Free Device

A wireless device used without holding it (Bluetooth headset, speakerphone, etc.). Drivers under 18 may NOT use even hands-free devices except in an emergency (DL-7 Chapter 1).

High Beams

The vehicle's brighter forward lighting. Switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following. (DL-7 Chapter 9)

I

Implied Consent

By holding a Texas driver license you have consented to a chemical test if a peace officer has probable cause for DWI. Refusal triggers ALR civil suspension. (DL-7 Chapter 1, Chapter 10)

Impact Texas Drivers (ITD)

Required course for all Texas driver license applicants prior to the driving exam. (DL-7 Chapter 1; course details from dps.texas.gov)

Intoxication Assault

The offense of causing serious bodily injury through DWI. State-jail-felony-level penalty. (DL-7 Chapter 10)

Intoxication Manslaughter

The offense of causing another's death through DWI. Second-degree felony. (DL-7 Chapter 10)

L

Learner License

The Phase 1 GDL license for under-18 drivers, issued at age 15 with driver-ed completion. Allows driving only with an accompanied licensed driver age 21+ in the front passenger seat. Hold for at least 6 months before applying for the Provisional License. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Liability Insurance

Insurance covering damage you cause to others. Texas minimums: $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000. (DL-7 Chapter 2)

Low Beams

The vehicle's normal forward lighting. Use within 500 feet of oncoming or 300 feet when following. (DL-7 Chapter 9)

M

Minor

Per the Texas Alcohol Beverage Code (referenced in DL-7 Chapter 10), any individual under 21. Subject to Zero Tolerance for any detectable alcohol while driving.

Move Over Law

The Slow Down or Move Over rule. Reduce speed to 20 mph below the posted limit, or move out of the lane closest to a stopped emergency/utility/TxDOT vehicle on a multi-lane road. (DL-7 Chapter 8)

N

Non-Commercial Class A / B / C

Driver license classes used in Texas for non-CDL drivers. Most adults hold Class C. Class A or B applies to certain heavier or specialized vehicles that don't meet CDL requirements. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

O

Open Container

Possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a moving vehicle. Class C misdemeanor. (DL-7 Chapter 10)

P

Phase 1 / Phase 2 GDL

Phase 1 = Learner License (with supervised-driver requirement). Phase 2 = Provisional License (with passenger, curfew, and wireless restrictions). (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Provisional License

Driver license issued to ages 16 to 18 with Phase 2 GDL restrictions. Marked "PROVISIONAL." Expires on 18th birthday. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

R

Right-of-Way

The legal priority to proceed at intersections, crosswalks, or merges. Texas rule: at uncontrolled intersections, yield to vehicles approaching from the right. (DL-7 Chapter 4)

Roundabout

Circular intersection where vehicles travel one direction. Yield to traffic already in the circle when entering. (DL-7 Chapter 4)

S

School Zone

Area near a school subject to special speed limits and the wireless device prohibition. Active when the yellow light is flashing. (DL-7 Chapter 5)

SR-22

Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate filed with DPS proving you carry at least minimum required liability coverage. Required after certain DWI convictions or suspensions. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Slow Down or Move Over

Texas rule for stopped emergency, law enforcement, fire, tow, utility, and TxDOT vehicles with lights activated. Reduce speed to 20 mph below the limit, or change lanes if multi-lane. (DL-7 Chapter 8)

Stop Sign

Red octagonal sign meaning come to a complete stop. May not park within 30 feet of one. (DL-7 Chapter 5, Chapter 7)

T

T-Intersection

Intersection where one road ends at another. Driver on the ending road must yield to traffic on the through road. (DL-7 Chapter 4)

Texting While Driving

Reading, writing, or sending a text or other electronic communication while driving. Statewide prohibition. (DL-7 Chapter 1, Chapter 9)

TPST (Third-Party Skills Testing)

Approved schools that may administer the non-commercial driving exam in lieu of DPS. (DL-7 Chapter 1)

Two-Second / Four-Second Rule

Texas following-distance rule. 2 seconds at 30 mph or less; 4 seconds above 30 mph. (DL-7 Chapter 8)

U

Urban District

Built-up area as defined for speed-limit purposes. Default urban speed limit: 30 mph. (DL-7 Chapter 8)

V

Vehicle Inspection

Annual inspection required for all motor vehicles registered in Texas. Performed at official inspection stations. The Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is valid for 90 days. (DL-7 Chapter 2)

VIR (Vehicle Inspection Report)

The printed report issued after a vehicle passes inspection. Valid for 90 days from the month of inspection for registration purposes. (DL-7 Chapter 2)

Vision Exam

Eye-chart examination at the Driver License Office. Required for all original applications and at least once every 16 years per DL-7 Chapter 1.

Y

Yield Sign

Inverted red and white triangle. Slow down and give right-of-way to other traffic. Stop only if necessary to avoid collision. (DL-7 Chapter 5)

Z

Zero Tolerance Law

Texas's rule for under-21 drivers — any detectable amount of alcohol while driving constitutes DUI. Class C misdemeanor on first offense. (DL-7 Chapter 10)