Your Certificate of Completion is your permanent proof that you completed a TDLR-approved Texas adult driver education course. There is just one certificate, and it serves as proof whenever you apply for your Texas driver license.
The ADE-1317 Has No State-Set Expiration Date
Texas statute and TDLR rules do not set an expiration date on the ADE-1317 Certificate of Completion itself. Keep it as your course-completion record and present it at DPS when you are ready to apply for your license.
Use Your Certificate at DPS Within Two Years
Texas statute and TDLR rules do not set an expiration date on the ADE-1317 certificate itself, but you should plan to use it at DPS within about two years. Completing the course and passing the in-course written exam means you do not retake the DPS written test when you apply within that window. After two years, the certificate is still valid proof that you completed the course, but DPS may require the written knowledge test at the office.
This credit covers the knowledge test only. The vision and road (driving) tests are always taken at DPS and are not covered by the course.
Tied to the Age Requirement
Texas requires driver education only for first-time applicants younger than 25. If you took the course as an 18–24 applicant, it satisfies that driver-education requirement; to also avoid retaking the DPS written test, apply within the two-year window described above.
If you’re 25 or older, driver education isn’t required to get your first Texas license — but if you take the 6-hour course voluntarily, pass the in-course written exam, and bring your Certificate of Completion to DPS, you normally do not retake the written test at the office. Use the certificate within two years. The vision and road tests are still taken at DPS. See course eligibility.
The ITAD Certificate Is Different
The separate Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) certificate from the DPS is valid for 90 days. Plan to complete ITAD after your course and before your driving test so it is still valid on test day.