(a) The department may issue a Class C driver's license to an applicant under 18 years of age only if the applicant:
(1) is 16 years of age or older;
(2) has submitted to the department a driver education certificate issued under Section 1001.055, Education Code, that states that the person has completed and passed a driver education course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
(3) has obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent or is a student:
(A) enrolled in a public school, home school, or private school who attended school for at least 80 days in the fall or spring semester preceding the date of the driver's license application; or
(B) who has been enrolled for at least 45 days, and is enrolled as of the date of the application, in a program to prepare persons to pass the high school equivalency exam;
(4) has submitted to the department written parental or guardian permission:
(A) for the department to access the applicant's school enrollment records maintained by the Texas Education Agency; and
(B) for a school administrator or law enforcement officer to notify the department in the event that the person has been absent from school for at least 20 consecutive instructional days; and
(5) has passed the examination required by Section 521.161.
(b) The department may not issue a Class A, B, or C driver's license other than a hardship license to an applicant under 18 years of age unless the applicant has held a learner license or hardship license for at least six months preceding the date of the application.