Where to Get Your Driver License in Monahans

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) runs the driver licensing system in Monahans. You will handle your license process and testing at the DPS Driver License office located in Ward County, which serves Monahans and the surrounding area. This is the only office where you can take your written test, road test, and pick up your license once it is issued.

The Monahans DPS office is at 600 South Pecos Street, Monahans, TX 79756. You can reach them by phone at (432) 943-2588 to ask about wait times, schedule a road test, or confirm what documents you need to bring. Hours vary by season and staffing, so calling ahead before you go is worth your time.

If you cannot reach the Monahans office or need to handle some paperwork by mail, you can also contact the DPS main office in Austin, but the Monahans location is where you will do the actual testing and licensing work.

Key Takeaways

  • The DPS Driver License office in Monahans is located at 600 South Pecos Street and is the only place in the area where you can test and receive your license.
  • You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number or a statement that you do not have one.
  • Texas requires you to pass a written test and a road test before you receive a full driver license, unless you already hold a valid license from another state.
  • The office can be busy during certain times of day and season, so calling (432) 943-2588 to ask about wait times or schedule your road test ahead of time saves you a trip.
  • If you are under 18, you must hold a learner permit for a set period and meet additional requirements before you can take your road test.

Documents You Need to Bring

Texas has specific rules about what documents prove your identity, where you live, and who you are. Bring originals or certified copies—photocopies usually will not work. The DPS office in Monahans will check these documents before you can test or receive your license.

For proof of identity, bring a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a previous driver license or ID card from Texas or another state. A school ID alone is not enough. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign certain forms, so bring them with you.

For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government letter addressed to you at your current address in Monahans. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 30 days. A cell phone bill or credit card statement usually does not count.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a pay stub with your full Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can sign a statement at the DPS office saying so, and you will receive a license without one.

Written Test Requirements and What to Study

Before you take the road test, you must pass the written test at the Monahans DPS office. The test covers Texas traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and what to do in emergencies. You get one attempt per visit, and if you do not pass, you can return and test again on another day.

The written test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass. Questions are multiple choice, and you can take the test in English or Spanish. The test takes about 15 to 20 minutes once you sit down.

To study, use the official Texas Driver Handbook, which the DPS office has free copies of and which is also available online at the Texas DPS website. The handbook covers everything on the test. Many people also use online practice tests to get comfortable with the format before they show up in person.

You do not need a learner permit to take the written test, but if you are under 18, you will receive a learner permit after you pass the written test, and you must hold it for a set time before you can take the road test.

Road Test Scheduling and What Happens During the Test

After you pass the written test, you can schedule your road test. Call the Monahans DPS office at (432) 943-2588 to book a time, or ask the staff to schedule you when you pass your written test. Road tests are usually scheduled days or weeks out, depending on how busy the office is.

For the road test, bring your learner permit (if you have one), proof of insurance for the vehicle you will drive, and the vehicle itself. The vehicle must be in safe working condition—brakes, lights, wipers, and steering all have to work. Bring someone who holds a valid driver license to sit in the passenger seat while you drive, though they cannot help you during the test.

The examiner will ask you to perform basic driving tasks: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and backing up. You will drive on local roads in and around Monahans for about 20 to 30 minutes. The examiner is looking for safe habits, not perfect driving. Common reasons people do not pass include rolling through stop signs, speeding, unsafe lane changes, and not checking mirrors.

If you do not pass, you can test again. There is no waiting period between attempts, so you can schedule another test as soon as the office has an opening.

License Types Available in Texas

Texas offers several types of driver licenses depending on your age and what you will drive. The most common is the Class C license, which lets you drive a regular passenger car, truck, or van. This is what most people get when they first become a licensed driver.

If you are 16 or 17, you will receive a Provisional License after you pass your road test. This license has restrictions: you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., you cannot use a cell phone while driving, and you can only have one passenger under 21 in the car unless a parent or guardian is with you. These restrictions lift when you turn 18.

If you want to drive a motorcycle, you need a Class M endorsement added to your license. You must pass a separate written test and road test for this. If you want to drive a commercial truck or bus, you need a Commercial Driver License (CDL), which requires additional testing and medical certification.

Most first-time drivers in Monahans get a Class C license. The DPS office staff can tell you which type you need based on your age and what you plan to drive.

Costs and How Long the Process Takes

Texas driver license fees vary by license type and how long you want the license to last. A Class C license for someone under 18 costs less than one for someone 18 and older, and a license valid for five years costs less than one valid for eight years. Call the Monahans office or check the Texas DPS website for the exact current fee, as prices change.

You will pay the fee when you pass your road test and receive your license. The DPS office accepts cash, check, and debit or credit card. If you fail the road test, you do not pay the license fee until you pass.

The whole process from your first visit to holding a license usually takes two to four weeks if you pass both tests on your first try. If you are under 18 and need to hold a learner permit for a set time before taking the road test, add that time on top. If you need to retake the written or road test, add a few more days or weeks depending on when the next opening is.

Special Rules for Drivers Under 18

If you are under 18 in Texas, you must follow the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. This means you start with a learner permit, move to a Provisional License after you pass your road test, and then get a full license when you turn 18.

You must hold your learner permit for at least six months and be at least 16 years old before you can take the road test. During this time, you can only drive with a licensed adult 21 or older in the car. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot use a cell phone while driving.

Once you pass your road test, you get a Provisional License. This license has the same restrictions as the learner permit, plus you can only have one passenger under 21 in the car unless a parent or guardian is with you. These restrictions stay in place until you turn 18, at which point you can request a full Class C license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my road test in a vehicle I do not own?

Yes. The vehicle must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition, but it does not have to be yours. Many people borrow a parent's car or a friend's car for the test. Bring proof of insurance for that vehicle.

What if I fail the written test?

You can take it again the same day or come back another day. There is no waiting period. Study the Texas Driver Handbook and try again when you feel ready. Most people pass on their second or third attempt.

Do I need a learner permit before I take the written test?

No. You can walk into the Monahans DPS office and take the written test without a permit. If you pass, you will receive a learner permit on the spot. If you are under 18, you must hold the permit for six months before taking the road test.

How long does the road test take?

The actual driving portion takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Add time for paperwork and waiting. Plan to spend one to two hours at the office from start to finish.

What happens if I move out of Monahans after I get my license?

Your Texas driver license is valid anywhere in Texas and in all other states. You do not need to get a new one just because you moved. If you move to another state, you will eventually need to get that state's license, but Texas will not require you to do so when ready.