Where to Go for Your Lubbock Driver's License

The Lubbock Driver License Office is located at 1617 Main Street, Lubbock, TX 79401. This is the only Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in Lubbock where you can take your written test, road test, and pick up your license in person. You cannot renew or obtain a license at a county tax assessor's office or any other location in Lubbock — DPS handles all driver's license transactions.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no Saturday or Sunday service. Arrive early if possible; wait times often exceed one hour during mid-morning and early afternoon, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. The office does not take appointments, so you will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. The building is accessible to people with mobility limitations. Bring all required documents with you on your first visit — you cannot complete your transaction if you are missing paperwork, and you will have to return another day.

Key Takeaways

  • The Lubbock DPS office at 1617 Main Street is the only place in Lubbock to test and obtain a driver's license; it is open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. with no appointments.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and completed process form DL-44 to your first visit.
  • The written test covers Texas traffic laws and road signs; you must score at least 70 percent to pass and can retake it the same day if you fail.
  • The road test takes about 10 to 15 minutes and tests basic vehicle control, turning, parking, and following traffic laws; you must pass the written test before scheduling the road test.
  • Fees for a Class C license are $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license, payable by cash, debit card, or credit card at the office.

Documents You Must Bring to the Lubbock Office

Texas requires four categories of documents before you can take the written test. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. If you do not have all four categories, the office will not process your process and you will have to return another day.

Proof of identity: A U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or certified birth certificate. A school ID or library card does not count. If you use a birth certificate, it must be an official certified copy from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born, not a photocopy you printed yourself.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the last 60 days and showing your current Lubbock address. A cell phone bill or credit card statement does not count. If you live with someone else, you can use their utility bill if they sign a notarized affidavit stating you live there — bring both documents.

Proof of Social Security number: Your Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. A tax return or paystub does not count. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for one.

Completed process: Form DL-44, available at the office or online at the Texas DPS website. You can fill it out at home before you arrive, which saves time. Bring a pen; the office does not provide them.

The Written Test and What It Covers

The written test has 30 multiple-choice questions about Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 21 questions correctly (70 percent) to pass. The test is administered on a computer at the Lubbock office; you do not need to bring anything except your documents.

The test covers traffic signs and their meanings, right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking laws, what to do at a red light or stop sign, how to handle a four-way stop, seat belt and child safety seat laws, and what to do if you are pulled over by police. It also covers impaired driving laws, distracted driving, and what to do in an emergency.

You have up to three hours to complete the test, though most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes. You can retake the test the same day if you fail, but you must pay the test fee again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it, but each attempt costs money and takes time. Study the Texas Driver Handbook before you arrive; it is free and available online at the DPS website.

The Road Test: What the Examiner Will Ask You to Do

After you pass the written test, you must schedule a road test. The Lubbock office does not schedule road tests on the same day you pass the written test — you will be given a date and time for a future appointment, usually within two to four weeks. You will receive a paper notice with your test date. Keep it; you must bring it to your road test appointment.

The road test takes 10 to 15 minutes. The examiner will ask you to perform basic vehicle control tasks: starting the car, adjusting mirrors, turning the steering wheel, backing up, parking in a space, and stopping smoothly. You will drive on city streets in Lubbock, following traffic laws and the examiner's directions. The examiner will ask you to make left and right turns, merge into traffic, and navigate a four-way stop or traffic light.

You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working headlights, brake lights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and a functioning horn. The examiner will check these before the test begins. You must bring proof of insurance and vehicle registration. If the vehicle fails the safety check, your road test will be cancelled and you will have to reschedule.

Common reasons people fail the road test include hitting the curb while parking, failing to signal before turning, not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, speeding, and not checking mirrors before changing lanes. You can retake the road test if you fail; there is no limit to attempts, but each one costs money and requires a new appointment.

Fees and Payment Methods at the Lubbock Office

The fee for a Class C driver's license (the standard license for personal vehicles) is $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license. The written test and road test are included in this fee; there are no separate testing charges. You pay once at the office when you submit your process, before you take the written test.

The office accepts cash, debit card, and credit card. It does not accept checks or money orders. If you pay by card, bring the card itself — you cannot pay over the phone or online. If you do not have the full fee in cash or on a card, you cannot complete your transaction that day.

If you fail the written test or road test, you do not get a refund. You must pay the full fee again when you retake the test. There are no discounts for retakes or for taking the test multiple times.

How Long It Takes to Get Your License After You Pass

If you pass both the written test and the road test, you will receive your temporary license (a paper document) at the Lubbock office on the day you pass the road test. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and allows you to drive legally while your permanent plastic card is being made.

Your permanent license will be mailed to the address you provided on your process within 7 to 10 business days. It will arrive as a standard piece of mail — not overnight or certified. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact the Lubbock DPS office to check the status. Do not assume it is lost; mail delays happen regularly.

You can drive on your temporary license until the permanent one arrives. Once the permanent license arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid. Destroy it or keep it for your records — do not try to use it after the permanent license arrives.

What Happens If You Fail the Written Test or Road Test

If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day. You must pay the full license fee again. There is no waiting period between attempts on the same day. You can take the test as many times as you need to pass, but each attempt costs the full $33 or $66 fee.

If you fail the road test, you must schedule a new appointment. The Lubbock office will give you a new date, usually two to four weeks out. You must bring your paper notice from your first road test appointment. You will pay the full fee again when you reschedule. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the road test.

If you fail the road test three times, Texas does not automatically suspend your license or prevent you from trying again. However, you may want to take a defensive driving course or get additional practice before your next attempt. Some driving schools in Lubbock offer road test preparation for a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license at the Lubbock office if it is about to expire?

Yes, but only in person at the 1617 Main Street office. You cannot renew by mail or online in Texas. Bring your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and the renewal fee ($33 for five years or $66 for eight years). Renewals usually take 30 minutes to an hour.

What if I need a license but I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still get a license. Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for a number, along with your other required documents. The office will process your process and issue a license without a Social Security number on file.

Do I have to take the road test if I already have a valid license from another state?

No. If you have a valid out-of-state license, you can exchange it for a Texas license without taking the written or road test. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of residency, and the license fee. The exchange usually takes 30 minutes.

What if I fail the written test multiple times? Is there a limit?

Texas does not set a limit on how many times you can retake the written test. You can attempt it as many times as you need to pass, but you must pay the full fee each time. There is no waiting period between attempts on the same day.

Can I take the written test in a language other than English?

Yes. The Lubbock office offers the written test in Spanish and several other languages. Tell the staff when you arrive which language you need. You do not need to request this in advance.