You can print a temporary license the same day you pass your road test at a Texas DPS office

When you pass your road test at a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in Texas, you do not have to wait for your physical license to arrive by mail. Instead, the examiner will give you a temporary driving permit — a printed document that serves as your legal license while your plastic card is being made. You print this document yourself using a computer and printer at the DPS office, or you can print it at home if the office provides you with the authorization code.

The temporary license is valid for 45 days from the date you pass your test. It has the same legal weight as a permanent license: you can drive alone, carry passengers, and use it as proof of licensure. Police will accept it during traffic stops. The only limitation is that it will eventually expire, so you need to have your permanent card in hand before those 45 days are up.

Key Takeaways

  • Your temporary Texas license prints at the DPS office on the same day you pass your road test, or you can print it at home using an authorization code the examiner provides.
  • The temporary license is valid for 45 days and has full legal status — you can drive when ready without waiting for your permanent card to arrive.
  • If you do not print your temporary license at the office, you must print it within 45 days or you will lose the right to drive until your permanent license arrives.
  • Your permanent plastic license typically arrives within two to three weeks, but printing your temporary license means you do not have to stop driving while you wait.

How to print your temporary license at the DPS office

After you pass your road test, the examiner will direct you to a computer station or kiosk in the DPS office. You will log into the Texas DPS online system using your driver's license number and the date of birth you provided during your test. The system will display your temporary license as a PDF file.

From there, you print the document to the office printer. The temporary license will be a single sheet of paper with your photo, name, address, license number, and expiration date (45 days from the test date). Take the printed sheet with you — this is your legal license. You do not need to laminate it or take any additional steps. Many people fold it and carry it in their wallet alongside their old license or ID until their permanent card arrives.

If the DPS office is busy or the printer is not working, ask the examiner or office staff if they can email you an authorization code instead. This code lets you print your temporary license from home.

Printing your temporary license from home

If you did not print your temporary license at the DPS office, or if you lost the printed copy, you can print it from any computer with internet access and a printer. Go to the Texas DPS website and select the option to print your temporary license. You will need to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the authorization code the examiner gave you.

The authorization code is a one-time use code that the DPS office generates when you pass your test. If you did not receive a code at the office, contact the DPS office where you took your test and ask them to provide one. They can email it to you or give it to you over the phone. You have 45 days from your test date to print your temporary license, so do this as soon as you get home if you did not print it at the office.

Once you print the document at home, it has the same legal status as one printed at the office. Carry it with you whenever you drive. If you lose it, you can print another copy using the same authorization code — the code does not expire until your 45-day temporary period ends.

What happens if you do not print your temporary license

If you pass your road test but do not print your temporary license within 45 days, you will not be able to drive legally until your permanent plastic license arrives in the mail. This can take an additional two to three weeks or longer, depending on mail delays. During that gap, you cannot drive — not even to work or to run errands.

To avoid this situation, print your temporary license on the day you pass your test, either at the office or at home within a few hours. If you are unsure whether you printed it, check your email for a confirmation from the DPS system, or log back into the Texas DPS website and see if your temporary license is still available to print.

When your permanent license arrives

Your permanent plastic driver's license is mailed to the address you provided during your test. It typically arrives within two to three weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods or if there are mail delays in your area. Once it arrives, you can stop carrying your printed temporary license, though there is no harm in keeping it as a backup.

If your permanent license does not arrive within four weeks, contact the DPS office where you took your test. They can check the status of your card and reissue it if needed. Do not assume it is lost — mail delays are common, especially in rural areas.

Replacing a lost or damaged temporary license

If you lose your printed temporary license or it gets damaged (water damage, torn, faded), you can print another copy using your authorization code. Log into the Texas DPS website, enter your information and code, and print a new copy. There is no fee for reprinting, and you can do this as many times as you need during your 45-day window.

If you have lost your authorization code and cannot find it, contact the DPS office where you took your test. They can provide you with a new code over the phone or email. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready when you call.

Using your temporary license to drive

Your printed temporary license is a legal driving document. You can use it to drive alone, with passengers, during the day, and at night — there are no restrictions based on the temporary status. Police will accept it as proof of licensure during a traffic stop. You can also use it as a form of identification at banks, stores, and other places that accept driver's licenses, though some businesses may be unfamiliar with the printed format and ask to see your permanent license when it arrives.

Keep your temporary license in good condition. Laminating it is optional but can help protect it from wear and tear. Do not write on it or alter it in any way. If it becomes unreadable, print a new copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive before I print my temporary license?

No. You must have either your printed temporary license or your permanent plastic license in your possession to drive legally. The temporary license does not exist until you print it, so printing it is your first step after passing your test.

What if the printer at the DPS office is broken?

Ask the examiner or office staff for an authorization code so you can print your temporary license at home. They should provide this without delay. If they cannot, ask for the office manager's contact information and follow up by phone or email the next business day.

Do I need to bring my temporary license with me every time I drive?

Yes. Texas law requires you to carry your license whenever you operate a vehicle. Your printed temporary license counts as your license during those 45 days, so keep it with you just as you would your permanent card.

Can I use my temporary license to get a job or open a bank account?

Most employers and banks will accept your temporary license as proof of identity and licensure. However, some may prefer to wait for your permanent card. Call ahead to ask what forms of ID they accept before you visit.

What if my permanent license never arrives?

Contact the DPS office where you took your test after four weeks have passed. They can check whether your card was mailed and reissue it if there was a problem. In the meantime, you can continue to print and use your temporary license as long as you are still within the 45-day window.