The Texas Graduated Licensing Law went into effect January 1, 2002.

The GDL law applies to all students, age 15 to 18, who receive a permit after Janaury 1, 2002. The law does not apply to any student who has received a driver's permit or license before December 31, 2001.
All applicants within the ages of 15 to 18 will have to complete an approved drivers education program.
Individuals under 18 years of age driving with an instruction permit must drive with an adult 21 years or age or older in the front seat of any vehicle he/she may be driving. (The previous law cited age 18 for the adult.)
The law reads as follows:
Section 3, Subchapter I, Chater 545, Transportaion Code, amended by Section 545.424.
Sec. 545.424. OPERATION OF VEHICLE BY PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. (a) A person under 18 years of age, during the six-month period following issuance of an original Class A, B, or C driver's license to the person may NOT operate a motor vehicle:
1. after mdinight and before 5 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency; or
2. with more than one passenger in the vehicle under 21 years of age who is not a family member.