Where to Go for Your Driver's License in Waxahachie
Waxahachie has one Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License office located at 411 College Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165. This is the only full-service location in the city where you can take your written test, vision test, and photo for a new license or renewal. The office handles standard licenses, commercial licenses, and motorcycle endorsements.
Hours vary by day and the office closes for lunch, so check the DPS website or call ahead before you go. Wait times can be long during peak hours (typically mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays), so arriving early or going on a weekday morning gives you a better chance of being seen quickly.
If you cannot reach the Waxahachie office or need an alternative, the next nearest DPS office is in Arlington, about 30 miles away. Some services—like renewing by mail or online—do not require a visit to any office, so check whether your situation qualifies before making the trip.
Key Takeaways
- The Waxahachie DPS office at 411 College Street is the only location in the city where you can test and photograph for a new license.
- You must bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number; a birth certificate or passport covers identity, and a utility bill or lease covers residency.
- First-time applicants must pass a written test and vision test in person; you cannot do these by mail or online.
- Renewals by mail or online are available if your license is not expired more than two years and you have no medical restrictions.
- Fees for a standard five-year license are $33 for a new license and $25 for a renewal, though commercial and motorcycle licenses cost more.
Documents You Need to Bring
Texas requires three categories of proof before the DPS will issue a license: identity, residency, and Social Security number. You do not need all three from the same document—you can mix and match—but you must have at least one from each category.
For identity, bring a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, or a previous Texas driver's license or ID card. A passport is fastest because it covers identity and citizenship in one document. If you use a birth certificate, it must be certified (not a photocopy from a hospital) and must show your name and date of birth clearly.
For residency, bring a current utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill in your name with your current Waxahachie address. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. A cell phone bill, bank statement, or insurance policy also works if it shows your address. If you live with someone else and are not on the utility bill, a notarized letter from the homeowner or leaseholder stating you live there is acceptable.
For Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, or a pay stub showing your full number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get a license, but you will need to bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for one.
Steps to Get a New License in Waxahachie
If you are getting your first Texas license or your previous license has expired more than two years, you must go to the Waxahachie DPS office in person. You cannot complete this by mail or online.
- Gather your identity document, residency proof, and Social Security proof (see above).
- Go to 411 College Street during office hours. Bring the originals; photocopies are not accepted.
- Check in at the front desk and take a number. You will wait until your number is called.
- When called, hand your documents to the clerk. They will verify each one and enter your information into the system.
- You will be directed to take a vision test. This is a straightforward machine test that takes two minutes.
- Next, you will sit for the written test on a computer. The test has 30 questions about Texas traffic laws and road signs. You must answer at least 21 correctly to pass. You get one attempt; if you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day.
- If you pass the written test, you will be photographed for your license.
- Pay the fee ($33 for a standard five-year license) by cash, check, or card.
- You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
The entire process usually takes 45 minutes to two hours, depending on how busy the office is. Bring the temporary license with you while you wait for the plastic card to arrive.
Renewing Your License by Mail or Online
If your Texas license expired less than two years ago and you have no medical restrictions or changes to your information, you can renew without visiting the Waxahachie office.
Online renewal is the fastest option. Go to the Texas DPS website, enter your license number and date of birth, and pay the $25 renewal fee by card. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You cannot renew online if you need to change your address, name, or medical information.
By mail, request a renewal form from the DPS website or call the Waxahachie office. Fill it out, include your current license, a check or money order for $25, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes 15 to 20 business days after the DPS receives it.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must go to the office in person and retake the written test and vision test, even if you have been driving the whole time.
Special Situations: Commercial and Motorcycle Licenses
The Waxahachie DPS office issues commercial driver's licenses (CDL) and motorcycle endorsements, but the process is longer and has additional requirements.
For a commercial license, you must pass a medical examination by a certified examiner, pass a written test specific to the class of vehicle you want to drive, and pass a skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic controls, and road test). The medical exam is not done at the DPS office; you must find a certified medical examiner and pay them directly (cost varies). The written and skills tests are done at the Waxahachie office. Plan for multiple visits and allow 4 to 6 weeks total.
For a motorcycle endorsement, you must pass a motorcycle-specific written test and either pass a skills test at the DPS office or show proof that you passed a Motorcycle Safety Institute course. If you take the MSI course, you do not need the DPS skills test. The written test is done at the Waxahachie office and takes about 30 minutes.
Fees and What They Cover
| License Type | New License Fee | Renewal Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Driver's License | $33 | $25 | 5 years |
| Commercial Driver's License (CDL) | $97 | $97 | 4 years |
| Motorcycle Endorsement (added to standard license) | $20 | $20 | 5 years |
| Duplicate License (lost or stolen) | $11 | — | Same as original |
All fees are paid at the Waxahachie office and must be in cash, check, or card. The DPS does not accept payment by phone or mail for new licenses or in-person renewals, but online renewals accept card only.
If you need a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal building entry and domestic flights after May 7, 2025), there is no additional fee—you just bring an extra document proving citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most common reason people have to return to the Waxahachie office is bringing documents that do not meet the requirements. Photocopies are never accepted—you must bring originals. Residency documents must be dated within 30 days and show your current address; an old utility bill or one with a different address will be rejected. If you bring a birth certificate, it must be certified by the county or state that issued it, not a hospital copy.
Another frequent mistake is not knowing whether you can renew by mail or online. If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot use either method, no matter what. You must come in person. Similarly, if you have changed your address, name, or medical information, you cannot renew online—you must go to the office.
Failing the written test on your first attempt is common and not a problem—you can retake it the same day or come back another day. However, some people do not study the Texas Driver Handbook beforehand and waste a trip. The handbook is free on the DPS website and covers everything on the test. Spending 30 minutes reading it before you go significantly raises your chances of passing on the first try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if I moved to Waxahachie from another state?
No. Online renewal is only for people renewing an existing Texas license. If you are new to Texas or your previous license was from another state, you must go to the Waxahachie office in person, pass the written test and vision test, and get a new Texas license. Bring your out-of-state license as your identity document.
What if I fail the written test at the Waxahachie office?
You can retake it the same day at no extra charge, or you can leave and come back another day. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it, but you must pass before you can get your license. Most people pass on the second attempt after studying the handbook.
How long does it take to get my plastic license card after I test at the Waxahachie office?
The DPS mails your plastic card 7 to 10 business days after you pass your test. You receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid while you wait. Do not drive without either the temporary or the plastic card.
Can I get a license at the Waxahachie office if I do not have a Social Security number?
Yes. Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for a number, and bring your other identity and residency documents. The process is the same otherwise.
Is the Waxahachie DPS office open on weekends?
No. The office is open Monday through Friday only. Hours vary by day, so check the DPS website or call 411 College Street before you go. Some nearby offices in larger cities may have Saturday hours if you need weekend service.