At what minimum age can one obtain a provisional driver's license in Texas?

In Texas, the minimum age to obtain a provisional driver's license is indeed 16 years. A provisional license allows teenagers to drive unsupervised but with certain restrictions to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road. This serves as an intermediate step between a learner's permit, which requires a parent or guardian's supervision, and a full, unrestricted driver’s license.

When a teenager reaches 16, they typically have already passed the required driving education courses and have held their learner's permit for at least six months, during which they are expected to gain some experience behind the wheel. This age requirement is designed both to ensure that young drivers have had adequate instruction and practice before venturing out alone and to promote road safety by closely monitoring the activities of new drivers until they are more seasoned.

The other options listed—ages 15, 17, and 18—do not align with Texas law regarding the issuance of a provisional license, reinforcing the importance of this age requirement in the context of driving regulations and safety measures for new drivers.