What You Need to Do to Get a New Texas License
To order a new Texas driver's license, you must visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person. Texas does not allow you to order a license by mail or online — you will complete your process, take your photo, and pay your fee at the office during a single visit. The process takes about 30 minutes if you bring all required documents and arrive during a non-peak time.
Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide on your process within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use when ready while you wait for the plastic card to arrive.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS office in person; there is no online or mail-in option for ordering a new license.
- Bring your proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, proof of Social Security number, and completed process form DL-44 before you go.
- The fee for a standard five-year license is $33; a Real ID-compliant license costs $33 as well, but requires additional documents.
- You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your plastic card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If you are renewing an expired license, the process is the same as ordering a new one — there is no separate renewal track.
Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office
Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. You need one document from each of these three categories: proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and proof of your Social Security number.
Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If you are using a birth certificate, it must be a certified copy with a raised seal or embossed seal — a photocopy will not work.
Proof of Texas residency must show your current name and address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank or credit card statement, or a government check or benefit statement. The document must be dated within the last 90 days. A cell phone bill does not count.
Proof of your Social Security number can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a paystub, or a benefit statement from Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.
Completing Form DL-44 Before You Arrive
read and fill out form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License) from the Texas DPS website before you go to the office. You can print it and bring it completed, or you can fill it out at the office on a tablet or paper form. Completing it at home saves time, especially during busy hours.
The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and whether you want to donate organs. You will also declare whether you have any medical conditions that affect your ability to drive safely. Answer these questions honestly — false statements on the form are a criminal offense.
If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the court order or marriage certificate that documents the change. You will need to show this along with your identity document.
What Happens at the DPS Office
Arrive with your completed form DL-44, all three categories of supporting documents, and your current license if you have one. A DPS employee will review your documents, ask you to sign the form, and take your photo. You will also take a vision test and a written knowledge test unless you are renewing a license that has not expired more than two years ago.
If you are renewing an expired license, you may still have to take the written test depending on how long it has been expired and your age. Ask at the counter when you arrive. The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You must score at least 70 percent to pass.
Once you pass the test and your documents are approved, you will pay the fee and receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. Your plastic license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within that window, contact the DPS to report it.
Fees and License Validity Periods
A standard five-year Texas driver's license costs $33. If you want a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025), the fee is also $33 — there is no extra charge. However, Real ID requires one additional document: a certified birth certificate or passport. A standard license does not require this extra step.
Your license is valid for five years from the date it is issued. If you turn 79 before your license expires, your license will expire on your 79th birthday instead. Drivers 79 and older must renew every two years.
If you lose your license or it is stolen before it arrives, or if it arrives damaged, contact the DPS when ready. You can request a replacement at any DPS office, and the fee for a duplicate is $11.
Finding a DPS Office Near You and Avoiding Wait Times
Use the DPS office locator on the Texas Department of Public Safety website to find the office closest to you and check its hours. Not all offices are open on weekends, and some have limited hours on certain days. Call ahead or check online before you go.
DPS offices are busiest on Mondays, Fridays, and the first and last days of the month. If you can go on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoon, you will usually wait less than 30 minutes. Some offices offer online appointment scheduling through the DPS website — if your office has this option, book a time slot in advance to skip the walk-in line.
Bring all your documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get separated. If you are missing even one required document, you will have to leave and come back. The DPS will not hold your process or let you submit it incomplete.
If You Are Ordering a License for the First Time
If you have never had a Texas driver's license, the process is the same as ordering a new one, but you must pass the written knowledge test. You cannot skip it by claiming you have a license from another state — you must pass the Texas test. Study the Texas Driver Handbook, available free on the DPS website, before you go.
You will also need to bring proof that you have been a Texas resident for at least 30 days. A utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated at least 30 days before your office visit will work. If you just moved to Texas, wait until you have been here for a month before you order your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a Texas license if I do not have a Social Security number?
Yes. Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for a number, or bring an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. You must still bring one document from each of the other two categories: proof of identity and proof of Texas residency.
What if my documents have my old name on them?
Bring the document that shows your old name plus the court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree that documents your name change. The DPS will accept the combination as proof that the name change is legal. Your new license will be issued in your current legal name.
How long does it take to get my plastic license in the mail?
The DPS says 7 to 10 business days, but it can take longer during peak times or if there are mail delays. You can use your temporary paper license for 45 days while you wait. If your plastic license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the DPS to check the status.
Do I have to take the written test if I am renewing an expired license?
It depends on how long your license has been expired and your age. If it expired less than two years ago and you are under 79, you may not have to take the test. Ask the DPS employee when you arrive. If you are 79 or older, you must renew every two years and will likely have to take the test.
What if I fail the written test?
You can take the test again when ready at the same office. There is no extra fee for retakes. You have three attempts per office visit. If you fail all three times, you will have to return to the office on another day to try again.