What You Need to Do to Switch to a Texas Driver License

If you hold a valid driver license from another state and move to Texas, you must obtain a Texas driver license within a set timeframe. Texas does not allow you to keep your out-of-state license once you become a resident. You will need to visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person, bring specific documents, and pass a vision test. You do not need to retake the written or driving test if your out-of-state license is still valid.

The process is straightforward but has hard important date. Texas law requires you to get a Texas license within 60 days of establishing residency. After that window closes, driving on an out-of-state license becomes illegal, even if that license itself has not expired.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 60 days from the date you become a Texas resident to obtain a Texas driver license, or you cannot legally drive.
  • You must visit a DPS office in person with proof of residency, proof of identity, and your current out-of-state license; you cannot mail in your process.
  • If your out-of-state license is valid, you will not retake the written or road test, only the vision screening.
  • The fee for a standard five-year Texas driver license is $45, and processing takes about 20 minutes at the office.
  • Your new Texas license will be mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days; you receive a temporary paper license at the office to drive when ready.

Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office

Texas requires you to present original or certified documents in person. Photocopies, faxes, and digital images are not accepted. You will need proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current out-of-state driver license.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: your current out-of-state driver license, a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID card, or a permanent resident card (green card). The document must show your full legal name, date of birth, and a photograph.

For proof of residency, bring one document dated within the last 30 days showing your Texas address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank statement, or a government-issued mail piece (such as a tax notice or voter registration card). A piece of mail addressed to you at your Texas address works. A driver license from another state does not count as proof of residency.

Bring your current out-of-state driver license itself. If you have lost it, bring a police report of the loss or a replacement document from your previous state's DMV.

The Step-by-Step Process at the DPS Office

Visit any Texas DPS office during business hours. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some offices accept online reservations to reduce wait times. Check the DPS website to find the office nearest you and see whether that location takes reservations.

When you arrive, take a number or check in at the front desk. You will be called to a window where a clerk will review your documents. The clerk will verify that your out-of-state license is valid and not suspended or revoked. If it is valid, you will not take a written test or driving test.

You will take a vision screening at the office. You must read a line of letters or numbers on a chart from a set distance. If you wear corrective lenses, you must wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you will be told on the spot and given instructions to see an eye doctor and return.

You will have your photograph taken at the office. Wear something you are comfortable being photographed in; the photo will appear on your license for five years. You will then pay the fee and receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Fees and License Validity Periods

A standard five-year Texas driver license costs $45. This is the most common option for adults under 85. If you are 85 or older, a five-year license costs $25.

Texas also offers an eight-year license for $60 if you are between 36 and 84 years old. An eight-year license is not available to anyone under 36 or over 84. Choose the option that fits your age and how long you plan to hold the license.

Payment is cash or card at the DPS office. No personal checks are accepted. If you lose your temporary paper license before the plastic card arrives, you can request a replacement at any DPS office for $10.

What Happens If You Miss the 60-Day important date

If you do not obtain a Texas license within 60 days of becoming a resident, you are no longer legally permitted to drive in Texas, even if your out-of-state license has not expired. Driving without a valid Texas license after the important date is a traffic violation and can result in a fine, points on your driving record, and vehicle impoundment.

If you miss the important date, go to a DPS office as soon as possible and explore for your Texas license. You will still need the same documents and will still not retake the written or driving test if your out-of-state license is valid. The process is the same; the only consequence is the legal violation you incurred by driving after the important date.

If your out-of-state license has expired, you will need to take the written test and driving test in addition to the vision screening. This extends your visit and requires you to study the Texas Driver Handbook beforehand.

Special Cases: Military, Commercial, and Hazmat Licenses

If you hold a commercial driver license (CDL) from another state, you cannot straightforward exchange it for a Texas CDL. You must pass the CDL written test and a road test in a vehicle of the class you are seeking. You will also need to provide medical certification. This process takes longer than a standard license exchange and requires advance study.

If you hold a license with a hazmat endorsement, you will need to pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check in addition to the standard requirements. Bring your current license and the same identity and residency documents. The hazmat endorsement adds time to processing.

If you are active military stationed in Texas, you have an extended timeline. You have 60 days from the date you receive your military orders to Texas, not 60 days from the date you physically arrive. Bring a copy of your military orders along with your other documents.

Renewing Your Texas License Later

Once you have your Texas license, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person before it expires. You do not have to return to the DPS office in person unless your vision has changed significantly or you need to update your photograph. Most renewals can be done online through the DPS website if your license is not suspended and you have not had a major change in your medical status.

Set a reminder for 60 days before your license expires so you have time to renew before it lapses. Driving on an expired license is illegal, even if you have already submitted a renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take a driving test to get a Texas license if I already have a valid out-of-state license?

No. If your out-of-state license is currently valid and not suspended, you will not retake the written test or the driving test. You will only take the vision screening. If your out-of-state license has expired, you must pass both the written test and the road test.

Can I mail in my process or do this online?

No. You must appear in person at a Texas DPS office with your original documents. Texas does not accept mail-in or online applications for license exchanges from out-of-state drivers.

What if I have a suspended or revoked license from my previous state?

Texas will not issue you a license if your out-of-state license is suspended or revoked. You must resolve the suspension or revocation in the state that issued it first. Contact that state's DMV to find out what steps are required to clear the suspension, then return to Texas with proof of clearance.

How long does the temporary paper license last, and can I drive out of state with it?

Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days and can be used to drive anywhere in the United States. Keep it with you at all times while driving. Once your plastic card arrives, the paper license is no longer valid.

What if my address changes before my new license arrives?

Contact the DPS office where you applied and provide your new address. Your license will be mailed to the updated address. If you do not update it and the license is mailed to your old address, you can pick it up at the DPS office or request a remail to your new address for a $10 fee.