How to Get a Driver’s License

Oklahoma has a Graduated Driver License program, or GDL, that will give you time to learn how to drive in a controlled way. There are three stages to this program, from no Oklahoma license to a full license.

Completing the Oklahoma GDL takes about a year. First you’ll complete an Oklahoma DPS approved driver training course and pass a written test for your learner permit. Then, 50 hours of supervised driving for an Oklahoma intermediate license. Drive with it for six months, or until you turn 18, and you’ll receive your Oklahoma full unrestricted license.

The steps below have the details you’ll need to know in order to get your full, unrestricted license.

Get Your Oklahoma Learner Permit 

You can start the process to get your license at 15 and 6 months. To get ready for driving, you can download the Oklahoma Driver’s Manual and start reading through it.

To qualify for your learner’s permit, you must meet a few requirements. You will have to pass vision and a knowledge test. You will also have to be currently enrolled in or have completed an OK DPS approved driver’s education course.

In Oklahoma parents and guardians are allowed to teach their children driver’s ed through the Parent Taught driver education course.

Make an appointment for your written learner’s permit test with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. You’ll need to fill out an application, bring in proof of identity, and pay a fee of $4 by debit card or check.

You will be given an official paper which is your learner’s permit. You’ll need to have that with you every time you’re behind the wheel.

You must have your Oklahoma learner’s permit for at least 6 months before you can apply for an intermediate license. During that time, you’ll need to have 50 driving practice with 10 of those being at night. There are also limits to your permit. You may not drive between 10:00 P.M. and 5:00 A.M and all your driving time must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older that has had their license for at least 2 years.

During this 6-month window, you will also need to complete your driver’s education course. Drivers’ education consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction for traditional driver’s education courses or 55 hours with the Parent Taught Driver’s Ed Program.

For more information of driver’s education programs, visit OK Driver Education Information.

Once you’ve completed the required amount of instruction, you can apply for your Oklahoma intermediate license.

Get Your Oklahoma Intermediate License 

Receiving your license requires that you’ve completed certain requirements. Those are reaching the age of 16 and completing all required driver’s education instruction and supervised driving hours.

Driving Skills Test: You will be required to pass a driving test with an Oklahoma Department of Public Safety certified examiner who will make sure you can perform basic driving tasks safely. Make sure to bring any required corrective lenses. Once you’re ready, you can schedule a driving skills exam at your nearest Oklahoma Driver License Testing Site.

Before you take the test, you should check out the Top 10 Automatic Fails on Driver Tests, so you’ll know what not to do on test day.

The application fee for your license is $38.50

Your Oklahoma intermediate license will be mailed to you and will have your photograph on it. They take your picture the day you pass your driving skills test.

You may only drive with up to one passenger that isn’t a member of your family, unless you have a licensed 21-year-old with you. Then you’re allowed as many passengers as can legally fit in your vehicle.

As you continue to learn how to operate a motor vehicle in different conditions, there are certain hours when you won’t be able to drive. You are still prohibited from driving between 10:00 P.M. and 5:00 A.M, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older.

Get Your Oklahoma Unrestricted Full License 

At a certain point, the state feels that you’ve been able to receive enough supervised driving experience that you can go out on your own. If you’ve completed driver’s education and are 16 and 6 months old, you may apply for your unrestricted license after 6 months. If you haven’t completed driver’s education, you’ll need to wait a full year. If you’re 18, you may apply regardless of driver’s ed status.

This means that previous restrictions are lifted. However, you will not receive an updated Oklahoma license until that one expires. After you renew your license, you will receive your full, unrestricted license in the mail.

However, honing your S.P.I.D.E.R.Senses™ defensive driving skills is a lifetime experience. Download the DriverZ Virtual Coach to keep practicing. It will also help you keep track of your practice hours when earning your Oklahoma intermediate license.