Plan Your Licensing Path
Getting a driver’s license in Texas depends first on your age:
- Teens (15–17) must complete a 24-hour teen driver education course and hold a learner’s permit for 6 months.
- Young adults (18–24) must complete a 6-hour adult driver education course.
- Adults (25+) are not required to take driver education, but it is recommended.
Preparing for the Application Process
Applying for a Texas driver’s license starts with knowing exactly what you should bring to the DPS office to prove you meet the state’s requirements.
In-Person Application
To apply for your first Texas driver’s license, you must appear in person at a DPS office for identity verification, biometric data collection, and an official photo. DPS offices operate by appointment only, so advance planning is important for getting your license as quickly as possible.
Your Timeline: Key Deadlines
A successful trip to the DPS depends largely on having the right paperwork. If a single document has expired, the state will reject your application.
To keep your timeline on track, note these expiration rules:
- Written test score: Valid for 2 years
- License application file: Valid for 90 days
- Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Certificate: Valid for 90 days
- Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form: Valid for 30 days (90 days during summer)
- Out-of-state license transfer: Allowed for 90 days
- Teen learner’s permit: Expires on the 18th birthday; must be held for 6 months
Need driver’s ed? Whether you need teen or adult driver’s ed, NextDoorDriving offers convenient online courses designed to fit your schedule and help you meet Texas licensing requirements. Choose the course that’s right for you:
- Texas Teen Drivers Ed (Parent Taught) — for ages 14–17
- Texas Teen Drivers Ed (Instructor-Led) — for ages 14–17
- Texas 6-Hour Adult Drivers Ed — for adults 18+
¡Se habla Español! All NextDoorDriving courses are available in Spanish so you can complete your driver education and official written test in your preferred language.
Scheduling Your DPS Appointment
You cannot apply for a new Texas driver’s license online, but you can use the DPS website to schedule your appointment and print an application to begin working on it.
To book a DPS appointment, use the official Texas DPS Appointment Scheduler portal. When prompted, provide your personal information and select your service (like “Apply for first time Texas DL/Permit” or “Road Test”). Use the ZIP code search to find open appointments in your area. Remember to click “Confirm” to finalize your reservation.
Need an earlier appointment? Because of high demand, DPS appointments can be booked out weeks or months in advance. You can check for cancellations or same-day appointment releases through the online portal, especially early in the morning. You may also walk into a driver license office and check the lobby’s self-service kiosk for any slots that might have opened up.
This helpful video provided by the DPS walks you through filling out the license application form and navigating the online scheduling portal: How To: Obtain a Texas Driver License
Compiling Your Documents
One of the most important steps to get a driver’s license in Texas is gathering the required documents. At the DPS office, you must provide physical copies of the following documents:
- U.S. citizenship or lawful presence (bring one): Passport, birth certificate, or green card
- Identity (bring one): Passport, Texas ID (expired less than two years), green card, military ID, or naturalization certificate
- Social Security Number (bring one): SS card, W-2, 1099, or pay stub showing your full SSN
- Texas residency (bring two): Lease or mortgage, utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub (must be dated within 180 days)
- Registration and insurance for any car you own
- Driver Education Certificate (if under 25): DE-964 or ADE-1317 form (you can obtain these by completing the online courses at NextDoorDriving.com)
- Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Certificate: Printed certificate, dated within 90 days. The ITD course is taken through the DPS.
- Verification of Enrollment (if under 18): VOE form from your high school (valid for 30 days, or 90 days in summer); if you have a diploma or GED, bring that instead.
Texas Driver License Application
Printing and filling out most of your license application form can speed up your appointment, although you should wait to sign the form in front of the agent.
Adults and minors have different license application forms, so make sure you have the right one before you begin.
- If you are 17 years and 10 months of age or older, complete the adult driver license application: Form DL-14A.
- If you are under 17 years and 10 months of age, submit the minor driver license application: Form DL-14B.
Under 18?: If you are under 18, you must bring a parent or guardian with you to the DPS to sign the parental consent portion of your application.
What to Expect at the DPS
DPS office visits don’t have to be a headache, and knowing what to expect can help you arrive prepared to sail through the process.
Checking In at the DPS Desk
On testing day, plan to arrive at the DPS office around 15 minutes before your appointment time. At the check-in kiosk, scan your confirmation barcode or input your details to receive a ticket, then wait in the lobby until your ticket number is called.
Biometric Data Collection
Once called to the counter, the specialist will verify your physical documents and collect your mandatory biometric data, including your signature and fingerprints. You will also take your license photo. The agent will ask you to remove hats, hoods, and sunglasses.
Application Fees
Next, you will pay your application fee, according to your license type. The current DPS fee schedule is:
- Learner License (under 18): $16
- Adult license (18–84): $33
- Senior license (85+): $9
- Replacement or change of address: $11
The DPS accepts payment via cash, credit card, check, or money order.
Once you submit your paperwork and pay the fee, your application file stays active for 90 days. All fees are nonrefundable, even if you fail your tests or do not finish the process in time.
In-Office Screenings
The licensing specialist will conduct two quick medical evaluations directly at your service window.
The Mandatory Vision Test
To make sure you can see the road, you will be asked to read lines of letters from a chart. If you use contact lenses or glasses, you should wear them for this test. If you need corrective lenses to pass, your license will have a notation that you must wear them while driving. If you do not pass the vision test, the agent will pause your application and hand you a form to take to an eye specialist. You must have an eye doctor fill out this form before you can finish the licensing process.
Medical Disclosures and Communication Impediments
The agent will verify the health disclosures marked on your application. If you disclosed a medical condition, they may give you forms for a primary care physician to fill out.
If you or your child has a health condition that impacts communication, this is the time to request a Communication Impediment indicator for your license. This designation alerts law enforcement and first responders that the driver has special communication needs.
Driver’s License Testing
Anyone trying to get a driver’s license in Texas must prepare for both the written knowledge exam and the road skills test. The written test is usually taken to get a learner’s permit to practice driving, while the road test is the final proof that you know how to drive.
The Written Knowledge Test
The written exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions covering standard traffic laws and road signs. You need to answer at least 21 questions correctly. If you complete an approved teen or adult driver education course, you will take the written test as part of your course. If you do not have driver’s ed, you will take the written test in person at the DPS office, where your fee covers up to three attempts in a 90-day window. Once you pass the written test, you are eligible for a learner’s permit.
The Driving Skills Test
The road driving test is the final step in the licensing process. You can choose to test with the DPS or pay a separate fee to take it at a certified third-party testing center. Wherever you take it, the format of the road test is the same. For about 20 minutes, the examiner will evaluate your basic driving skills on real roads. If you pass, you will be awarded an official Texas driver’s license. For drivers under 18, this will be a Provisional License that has certain restrictions. For adults, this will be a full, unrestricted license.
Obtaining Your License
After you pass your road test, a licensing agent will finalize your application and give you a temporary paper license. This temporary license is valid for 60 days, and it is fully recognized by law enforcement. It’s important to get in the habit of carrying your license, since you will never be able to drive legally without it.
Permanent License Processing Timeline
Your hard license card should arrive in your mailbox within 2 to 3 weeks. If you wish to check on your card’s status, do not call the office. Instead, the DPS has a dedicated “Where’s My Driver License or ID Card?” query on the online portal. You can enter your temporary license number to track your card’s progress from the factory floor to your door.
Texas Real ID-Compliant Licenses
Many new drivers have heard about REAL ID rules and are unsure whether their license qualifies as one. A driver license and REAL ID are not exactly the same thing, although a license can be REAL ID-compliant. A license gives you legal permission to drive, while REAL ID refers to specific federal security standards for airline travel and entering secure federal facilities. Since 2016, all Texas licenses have been REAL ID-compliant. If you are not sure whether your license is a REAL ID, look for a star in the upper right corner—gold on older versions and black on newer cards.
Driver License Application FAQs
My out-of-state driver license is valid. Do I still have to take the Texas driving test?
Generally, no. If you are moving to Texas and possess a current driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or a country with a reciprocity agreement, the DPS will usually waive both the written knowledge exam and the driving skills test. However, you must surrender your out-of-state card and complete the identity, residency, and vision screenings.
Can I use a parent’s or roommate’s utility bill as proof of Texas residency?
Yes. If you do not have residency documents in your own name, the person you live with can sign a Texas Residency Affidavit and provide approved documents showing your shared address. That person may need to accompany you to the DPS office.
Do I need a Texas driver license if I am a college student living in Texas temporarily?
No. If you are in Texas temporarily for school, maintain your permanent residence in another state, and have a valid driver license from your home state, you usually will not need a Texas license. If you move to Texas permanently, change your legal residence to Texas, register to vote in Texas, take a Texas job, or otherwise establish Texas residency, you should treat yourself as a Texas resident and apply for a Texas driver license. New Texas residents may drive with a valid, unexpired out-of-state license for up to 90 days after moving to Texas.
Do adults need to hold a learner’s permit before taking the road test?
No, new drivers 18 and older do not have to hold a learner’s permit for six months like minors do. However, if you are an adult and want to practice driving on public roads before your road test, you still need legal permission to drive. This means passing the written test and obtaining a B-restricted license, which allows you to practice with a licensed driver over 21 in the front passenger seat.
You will need this restricted license to take the road test, even if it means obtaining the license on the same day as your road test. When you pass the driving skills test, the DPS will remove the restriction and issue your full driver license.
