Where to Get Your Driver License in Garland
Garland has one Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License office located at 2331 W. Walnut Street, Garland, TX 75040. This is the only full-service DPS office in Garland where you can explore for, renew, or replace a driver license. The office handles all license types — Class C (standard passenger vehicle), Class A and B (commercial), and motorcycle endorsements.
You do not have to go to the Garland office if another location is more convenient. DPS operates driver license offices across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and throughout Texas. However, the Garland office serves the city directly and typically has shorter wait times than downtown Dallas locations during off-peak hours.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. Hours can change without notice, so call ahead at the office or check the DPS website before you go. You cannot renew or explore by mail in Texas; you must appear in person.
Key Takeaways
- The Garland DPS office is at 2331 W. Walnut Street and is the only location in Garland that issues driver licenses.
- You must bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number; a Texas ID card or passport counts as identity proof.
- First-time applicants must pass a written test, vision test, and driving test; renewals do not require tests unless your license was suspended or you are over 85.
- Bring your current license or ID if you have one, and expect to pay a fee that varies by license type and term length.
- Wait times at the Garland office are usually 30 to 90 minutes; arriving early or on weekday afternoons typically means shorter waits.
Documents You Need to Bring
Texas requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You must bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone will not be accepted.
Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, Texas ID card, or certified birth certificate. A driver license from another state counts if it is still valid. If you do not have any of these, you will need to obtain one first — a passport or Texas ID card from a different DPS office.
Proof of residency must show your current Garland address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or insurance policy dated within the last 60 days. A bank statement or government mail counts if it is dated within the last 30 days. A piece of mail from a school, employer, or government agency also works. You need only one document.
Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a document from the Social Security Administration. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access.
Steps to explore for a New License in Garland
The process differs slightly depending on whether you are explore for your first license, upgrading to a commercial license, or adding an endorsement. For a standard Class C license (passenger vehicle), follow these steps:
- Bring all required documents listed above to the Garland DPS office.
- Take a number and wait to be called.
- Tell the clerk whether you are explore for a new license or renewing. If new, you will be directed to the testing area.
- Pass the written test (50 questions on traffic laws and road signs; you must answer at least 40 correctly).
- Pass the vision test (you must read 20/40 or better with or without glasses).
- Have your photo taken.
- Pay the fee (Class C licenses cost $33 for a 5-year license or $66 for an 8-year license as of 2024; prices may change).
- Schedule your driving test appointment. Tests are given at the Garland office or at a separate DPS testing location.
- Return on your scheduled date, bring your temporary permit, and take the driving test (you must demonstrate basic vehicle control, parking, and road awareness).
- Receive your license card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you already hold a valid driver license from another state, you may not have to take the written and vision tests again — ask the clerk whether your out-of-state license qualifies you to skip them. You will still take the driving test.
Renewing Your License at the Garland Office
Renewal is faster than a new process because you skip the written and driving tests. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You do not need proof of identity if your current license is still valid.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must retake the written test and driving test as if you were explore new. If it expired fewer than two years ago, you may renew by mail or online if you meet certain conditions — you must be between 18 and 84 years old, have no medical conditions that affect driving, and not have any suspensions or violations on your record. Check the DPS website to see whether you may have access to for mail or online renewal before you go to the office.
Renewal fees are the same as new licenses: $33 for 5 years or $66 for 8 years. Your new license will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Commercial License and Endorsement Requirements
If you need a Class A (tractor-trailer) or Class B (single large vehicle) commercial license, or if you want to add a motorcycle endorsement to your existing license, the Garland office handles these as well. Commercial licenses require additional testing and documentation beyond a standard Class C license.
For a commercial license, you must pass a medical examination (Department of Transportation physical) and provide the results to DPS. You must also pass written tests specific to the commercial class and endorsement you seek. The driving test is longer and more rigorous than a standard test. Fees for commercial licenses are higher — typically $66 for a 5-year license, though this varies.
For a motorcycle endorsement, you must pass a motorcycle-specific written test and a riding skills test on an actual motorcycle. You can bring your own motorcycle or use one provided by DPS. If you are under 18, you must also complete a motorcycle safety course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Wait Times and How to Avoid Them
The Garland DPS office typically sees wait times of 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the day and time. Mondays and Fridays are busiest. Wednesday and Thursday afternoons (after 2:00 p.m.) tend to have shorter lines. Early morning arrivals (before 9:30 a.m.) also reduce wait time.
Texas DPS does not offer online appointment scheduling for the Garland office, so you cannot reserve a time slot in advance. You arrive, take a number, and wait. Bring something to read or work on, as wait times are common even during slower periods.
If you cannot visit the Garland office, other DPS locations in the Dallas area include Arlington, Irving, and Plano. These offices serve the same area and have similar wait times. Visiting a less-busy location outside peak hours may be faster than waiting at Garland.
Fees and Payment Methods
Driver license fees in Texas depend on the license type and how long you want it to be valid. Standard Class C licenses cost $33 for a 5-year license or $66 for an 8-year license. Commercial licenses cost more. Motorcycle endorsements add $20 to the cost of your license.
The Garland office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Checks are not accepted. If you are renewing and your license is still valid, you can pay at the counter. If you are explore new and must return for a driving test, you will pay after you pass the test.
Replacement licenses (if yours was lost, stolen, or damaged) cost the same as a renewal. Name changes require a new license and cost the same as a renewal, but you must bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license online or by mail instead of going to Garland?
You may renew online or by mail if you are between 18 and 84, have no medical conditions affecting driving, and have no suspensions or violations. Check the DPS website to confirm you may have access to before attempting online renewal. If you do not may have access to, you must visit the Garland office in person.
What happens if I fail the written or driving test?
You can retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment. There is no additional fee to retake a test. Most people pass on the second or third attempt. If you fail three times, you must wait 30 days before trying again.
How long does it take to get my license card after I pass the test?
Your physical license card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You receive a temporary paper permit at the office that is valid for 45 days while you wait for the card. Use the temporary permit as your license until the card arrives.
Do I need an appointment, or is it first-come, first-served?
The Garland office operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You arrive, take a number, and wait. There is no online appointment system. Arriving early or during off-peak hours (Wednesday or Thursday afternoon) reduces your wait.
What if I moved to Garland from another state and still have an out-of-state license?
You must obtain a Texas license within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Garland residency, and proof of Social Security number. You may not have to retake the written test if your out-of-state license is valid, but you will take the driving test. Ask the clerk at the office whether your state's license qualifies you to skip the written test.