What Is an ADE-1317 Certificate, and How Do I Get One in Texas?

If you're getting your first Texas driver license as an adult, you may see the term ADE-1317 on licensing instructions or driving school websites. Here's what the certificate proves, how to obtain it, and which steps still remain before you can drive independently.

Quick Answer: An ADE-1317 (or electronic ADEE-1317) is an official Texas adult driver education completion certificate issued through an approved provider. First-time license applicants ages 18–24 generally need to complete a six-hour adult driver education course and obtain the appropriate completion documentation. National Driver Training offers the online course with an included downloadable certificate. The certificate itself is not a driver license and does not replace a required driving skills test.

Who needs an adult driver education certificate in Texas?

Texas DPS generally requires first-time driver license applicants ages 18 through 24 to complete the approved six-hour adult driver education course before testing for a driver license. Applicants 25 and older are generally not required to complete this course. Texas has exceptions for certain applicants, including qualifying new residents surrendering an out-of-state license; confirm your situation with Texas DPS.

ADE-1317 vs. DE-964: What's the difference?

  • ADE-1317 / ADEE-1317: Adult driver education completion certificate, generally used for the approved adult-course pathway.
  • DE-964 / DEE-964: Driver education completion documentation commonly used for teen driver education.
  • Driving safety certificate: Documentation for a different kind of course, such as defensive driving for ticket dismissal. Defensive driving is not a substitute for first-time adult driver education.

Check the actual course and certificate type before purchasing, especially if you need to satisfy a DPS licensing requirement.

How to get your ADE-1317 certificate

  1. Choose an approved Texas adult driver education provider. Verify the program is designed for first-time adult applicants and that it satisfies your licensing needs.
  2. Complete the six-hour adult driver education course. National Driver Training offers the course online, in English and Spanish, and includes the Texas DPS written exam in its adult first-time driver package.
  3. Finish the provider's completion requirements. The provider issues the official course-completion documentation after you successfully complete the applicable course and exam requirements.
  4. Download or obtain your certificate. National Driver Training advertises an instant downloadable completion certificate included with its online adult course. Keep a readable copy for your licensing steps.
  5. Complete the remaining DPS requirements. Follow DPS instructions for your license application, applicable authorization, Impact Texas Drivers, and any required driving skills test.

Is the ADE-1317 enough to get a Texas driver license?

No. The ADE-1317 proves a course-completion step; it is not a substitute for identity and residency documentation, the license application, any required license or testing authorization, the Impact Texas Drivers program, or the driving skills test. A completed adult course may satisfy applicable knowledge-exam requirements when the provider is authorized to administer them, but driving skills are a separate issue.

The Impact Texas Drivers completion certificate is different from your ADE-1317. It must be dated within 90 days before the driving skills test. Confirm the required version and timing with DPS.

What if the certificate is missing or does not validate?

Start with the school that issued your adult driver education certificate. Ask the provider whether you can download it again or receive a replacement. TDLR maintains a driver education certificate validation service; TDLR notes that a new certificate may take up to 15 days after issuance to appear in its validation system. A delayed database result does not, by itself, mean the certificate was not issued.

Want additional behind-the-wheel practice?

The ADE-1317 verifies your course completion, but it does not mean you're ready to pass a road skills test. NDT offers optional 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-hour in-car lesson options and road-test services in the Austin, Texas area. Check the current offerings and scheduling on our Texas Adult Behind-the-Wheel Training page. These lessons are optional for most adult applicants, not a universal mandatory add-on to the six-hour course.

Get Your Texas Adult Driver Education Certificate

Complete the approved six-hour Texas adult course online with National Driver Training. The advertised package includes the DPS written exam and an instantly downloadable completion certificate, with no hidden certificate fee.

Start Texas Adult Driver Education Explore Adult In-Car Lessons & Road Tests

Still comparing programs? View all Texas adult driving courses.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ADE-1317 certificate in Texas?

It is the Texas adult driver education course-completion certificate for an approved adult driver education program. The electronic version may be called ADEE-1317.

Who needs an ADE-1317 certificate?

First-time Texas driver license applicants ages 18 through 24 generally must complete an approved six-hour adult driver education course and provide the required evidence of completion. Applicants age 25 or older generally are not required to take adult driver education.

How do I receive my ADE-1317 after an online course?

Enroll with a Texas-approved adult driver education provider, complete its six-hour course and applicable knowledge exam requirements, and obtain your issued certificate from the provider. National Driver Training advertises an instant-download completion certificate with its adult online course.

Is ADE-1317 the same as a DE-964?

No. ADE-1317 or ADEE-1317 identifies adult driver education completion; DE-964 or DEE-964 is commonly associated with teen driver education. Follow the documentation requirements for your age and course pathway.

Does an ADE-1317 certificate let me skip the driving test?

No. Course completion is not a driver license and does not automatically waive a required driving skills examination. Meet the Texas DPS application, authorization, Impact Texas Drivers, and skills-test requirements applicable to you.

What if I cannot find my adult driver education certificate?

Contact the approved course provider that issued it and ask about obtaining a replacement or re-downloading your copy. Texas TDLR also offers online driver education certificate validation, but that lookup is not a substitute for requesting your certificate from your provider.

Related NDT guides

Official sources

Reviewed November 6, 2026. Confirm current licensing and certificate rules with Texas DPS and TDLR.