Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Total 181.7; Flight Crew Type 181.7
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
Tower cleared my aircraft for takeoff on Runway 35L at DWH without delay for landing traffic. When I rolled my aircraft to the runway center line; I noticed another aircraft exiting the runway that hadn't cleared. I queried Tower prior to starting my takeoff to ask if the aircraft cleared the runway; and Tower directed me to disregard and start my roll. As I neared that end of the runway; I noticed the aircraft had not exited the runway. Another aircraft was on the runway while I was taking off causing a close encounter.
C172 pilot reported accepting takeoff clearance from the Tower while another aircraft was still on the runway.