What you need to do to get a Texas driver's license
To get a Texas driver's license, you visit a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person, pass a written test and a driving test, and provide documents that prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number. The whole process takes about 45 minutes to an hour at the office, though you may wait in line. You cannot do this entirely online — Texas requires you to show up, take the tests, and have your photo taken.
The cost is $33 for a license that lasts six years. If you are under 18, the rules are stricter: you must hold a learner permit for at least six months, pass a driver education course, and have a licensed adult with you during the driving test. If you are 18 or older, you can skip the permit step and go straight to the full license test.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS office in person with proof of identity, a Social Security number, and proof you live in Texas — a utility bill or lease works for residency.
- The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving; you can study the official Texas Driver Handbook online for free before you go.
- The driving test lasts about 20 minutes and tests basic skills like parking, turning, and stopping; you can use your own car or a DPS vehicle if you do not have one.
- If you are under 18, you must first get a learner permit, hold it for six months, complete a driver education course, and have an adult in the car during your driving test.
- You can check wait times and book an appointment online through the DPS website, which usually cuts your time at the office in half.
Documents you must bring to the DPS office
Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or state ID card — one of these proves who you are. You also need your Social Security card or a document that shows your number, such as a W-2 form or tax return. Do not bring a photocopy of your Social Security card; Texas will not accept it.
For proof that you live in Texas, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and address on it. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, you can use a letter from a shelter or a signed statement from someone who lets you stay with them, though you will need to bring that person with you to the office.
Bring your learner permit if you have one. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test — your license will note that you must wear them to drive. Bring any medical documentation if you have a condition that affects your driving, such as a hearing loss, because Texas may require you to take an additional test or get a doctor's clearance.
The written test: what to study and how to pass
The written test has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass. The test covers traffic signs, right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, safe following distance, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs. You have 30 minutes to finish.
The official Texas Driver Handbook is free online at the DPS website and contains everything on the test. Most people study it for a few hours and pass. You can take the test in English or Spanish. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at no extra cost, though you will have to wait and come back to the testing area.
The test is not designed to trick you — it tests whether you know the actual rules of the road. If you have never driven before, spend an hour reading the handbook and taking the practice test on the DPS website. If you have driven in another state, you likely know most of it already.
The driving test: what the examiner watches for
The driving test lasts about 20 minutes and takes place on public roads near the DPS office. The examiner sits in the passenger seat and watches you perform basic driving tasks: starting the car, adjusting mirrors, turning, stopping, parking, and backing up. They are looking for safe habits, not perfect driving.
Common reasons people fail are hitting the curb while parking, rolling through a stop sign instead of coming to a full stop, failing to use a turn signal, or hitting the examiner's door or mirror. If you fail, you can retake the test, usually the next day or within a few days. There is no extra fee for a retest.
You can use your own car if it is registered and insured, or you can ask to use a DPS vehicle — call ahead to ask whether your local office has one available. Your car must have working brakes, steering, lights, and wipers. The examiner will check these before the test starts.
Getting your learner permit if you are under 18
If you are under 18, you must first get a learner permit (also called a learner license). You pass the written test, pay $16, and get a permit that lasts two years. You then must hold the permit for at least six months before you can take the driving test for a full license.
While you have a learner permit, you can only drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old sitting next to you. You cannot drive alone. You also cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free.
You must also complete a driver education course — either in-person at a school or online through an approved provider. The course is usually four to six hours and covers road safety, impaired driving, and crash prevention. Once you finish the course, you get a certificate that you bring to the DPS office when you take your driving test.
How to book an appointment and what to expect at the office
You can book an appointment online through the DPS website by entering your zip code and choosing a nearby office. Appointments usually have shorter wait times than walk-ins. You can also walk in without an appointment, but you may wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on the office and time of day.
When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give them your documents. A clerk will review them to make sure everything is there. If something is missing, they will tell you what you need to bring back. If everything is complete, you will be called to take the written test on a computer.
After you pass the written test, you will wait to be called for the driving test. The examiner will do a quick safety check of the car, then you will drive for about 20 minutes. If you pass, you will return to the office, pay the $33 fee, and have your photo taken. Your license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.
What happens if you fail the written or driving test
If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day. Most offices let you retake it within an hour or two. There is no extra fee. You can retake it as many times as you need until you pass.
If you fail the driving test, you must wait at least one day before you can retake it. You can schedule a new appointment online or call the office to book a time. Again, there is no extra fee. Most people pass on the second or third attempt.
If you fail multiple times, it may help to take a few more hours of driving practice with someone who knows the roads near your DPS office. The examiner is testing whether you can drive safely in real traffic, not whether you are a perfect driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Texas driver's license if I do not have a Social Security number?
No. Texas requires a Social Security number to issue a driver's license. If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, you may be able to get an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS, though this is a separate process. Contact your local DPS office to ask about your specific situation.
What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?
You can use other documents to prove your identity, such as a state ID card, military ID, or a certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office in the county where you were born. The DPS website lists all accepted documents. If you are unsure whether what you have will work, call your local office before you go.
How long does it take to get my license after I pass the test?
Your license is mailed to you within one to two weeks. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use to drive while you wait for the plastic card to arrive. The temporary license is valid for 45 days.
Can I take the driving test in a different language?
The written test is offered in English and Spanish. The driving test itself does not have a written component — the examiner gives you directions and watches you drive. If you need an interpreter for the written test, contact your local DPS office ahead of time to arrange one.
What if I have a medical condition that affects my driving?
Tell the DPS clerk when you arrive. Depending on the condition, you may need to take an additional test, get a doctor's letter, or have restrictions added to your license (such as "corrective lenses required" or "automatic transmission only"). The office will tell you what you need to do.