The Documents and Proof You Must Bring

Texas requires you to bring five categories of documents to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) office: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of Texas residency, proof of lawful presence, and a completed process form. You cannot get a license without all five, and the DPS will not accept substitutes or promises to bring them later.

For proof of identity, bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, consular report of birth, or certificate of naturalization. A photocopy of your birth certificate will not work — it must be an official document with a raised seal or certified stamp. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or the equivalent document from your country of origin.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a pay stub with your full Social Security number printed on it. A tax return or bank statement will not work. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to explore for one through the Social Security Administration before you can get a Texas license.

For proof of Texas residency, bring a document dated within the last 30 days that shows your name and current Texas address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, insurance policy, or government mail. A bank statement works only if it shows your address. A cell phone bill does not count. You need only one document, but it must be current.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring an original or certified birth certificate (not a photocopy), your Social Security card or equivalent, and a recent utility bill or lease showing your Texas address.
  • Proof of lawful presence is required and can be shown through a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, employment authorization document, or visa paired with your I-94 form.
  • You must complete Form DL-44 (the process) in person at a DPS office; you cannot submit it by mail or online.
  • The DPS will take your photograph and conduct a vision test during your visit; you do not need to bring photos or vision test results.
  • Fees vary by license type and validity period, ranging from roughly $16 to $60, and the DPS accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.

Proof of Lawful Presence in the United States

Texas law requires you to prove you are lawfully present in the United States. This is separate from proving your identity or residency. The DPS will accept a U.S. passport, a permanent resident card (green card), an employment authorization document (EAD), a visa paired with your I-94 arrival/departure record, or a refugee travel document.

If you hold a visa, you must bring both the visa and your I-94 form, which you can obtain from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website or print from your arrival record. A visa alone is not enough. If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program and entered the United States without a visa, you will need to show your passport and your I-94 record together.

If you do not have any of these documents, you cannot obtain a standard Texas driver's license. You may be able to get a license without proof of lawful presence (sometimes called an "AB 60 license" in other states, though Texas calls it a "license to operate a motor vehicle"), but that requires a separate process and different documentation. Contact your local DPS office to ask whether this option is available to you.

Completing the process Form and Taking the Tests

You must complete Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card) in person at a DPS office. You cannot fill it out at home and bring it in — the DPS requires you to complete it there so they can verify your information and witness your signature. The form asks for your name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving.

When you arrive at the DPS office, you will take a vision test at no additional charge. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you will not be issued a license that day, and you will need to see an eye doctor and return with a vision correction certificate (Form DL-43) before you can try again.

You will also take a written knowledge test covering Texas traffic laws and road signs. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass. You can take the test in English or Spanish. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at most offices, though some locations may require you to return another day. There is no extra fee for retakes.

The DPS will take your photograph during your visit. You do not need to bring a photo or have one taken elsewhere. Wear something you would wear in a professional setting — the photo will appear on your license for up to eight years.

Age Requirements and Restrictions for New Drivers

You must be at least 16 years old to get a Texas driver's license. If you are under 18, you must first hold a learner's permit (also called a learner's license) for at least six months before you can get a full license. You cannot skip the permit stage, even if you have taken a driver's education course.

To get a learner's permit, you must pass the written knowledge test and the vision test, but you do not take a driving test. You must bring the same documents as you would for a full license. A learner's permit costs less than a full license and is valid for two years.

If you are 18 or older, you do not need a learner's permit. You can go directly to a full license by passing the written test, vision test, and driving test. The driving test lasts about 20 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, turning, parking, and following traffic laws. You must bring a vehicle registered in Texas (or a vehicle with a valid out-of-state registration) for the driving test.

Fees and How Long the License Is Valid

Texas driver's license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid. A standard driver's license valid for four years costs roughly $16. A license valid for six years costs roughly $32. A license valid for eight years costs roughly $48. These amounts vary slightly and may change annually, so confirm the current fee at your local DPS office or on the Texas DPS website before you go.

The DPS accepts cash, personal check, debit card, and credit card. Some offices may have limits on check amounts or may not accept checks at all, so call ahead if you plan to pay by check. If you pay by card, there may be a small processing fee added by the card processor.

Your license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after you pass all tests. You will receive a temporary paper license at the DPS office that you can use to drive until your plastic card arrives. Keep the temporary license with you while driving — it is your proof of licensure until the permanent card comes.

What to Do If You Were Born Outside the United States

If you were born outside the United States, you must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate from the country where you were born, or a U.S. passport, or a consular report of birth abroad, or a certificate of naturalization. A photocopy will not work. If your birth certificate is in a language other than English, bring the original document and an official English translation certified by a translator.

You must also bring proof of lawful presence, which for non-citizens typically means a permanent resident card, employment authorization document, visa with I-94, or refugee travel document. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, your certificate of naturalization serves as both proof of identity and proof of lawful presence.

If you have a visa, make sure it is still valid and that you have your I-94 form. An expired visa will not work, even if you are still in the United States lawfully under a different status. If your visa has expired but your I-94 shows you are still authorized to stay, bring both documents and let the DPS officer know your visa is expired.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Prevent Approval

The most common mistake is bringing a photocopy of your birth certificate instead of an original or certified copy. The DPS will turn you away and you will have to order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born, which can take two to four weeks. Order this document before you go to the DPS office.

The second most common mistake is bringing a residency document that is older than 30 days. A utility bill from three months ago will not work. Check the date on your document before you leave home. If your lease or mortgage statement is older than 30 days, bring a recent utility bill instead.

The third mistake is not bringing your I-94 form if you hold a visa. Your visa alone is not enough — the DPS needs both documents together. You can print your I-94 from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website (cbp.gov) in about five minutes, so do this before you go to the office.

A fourth mistake is assuming you can use a bank statement or cell phone bill as proof of residency. These do not work. Stick to utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, insurance policies, or government mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Texas driver's license if I don't have a Social Security number?

No. Texas law requires a Social Security number to get a standard driver's license. You must explore for a Social Security number through the Social Security Administration before you can get a license. If you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number, you may be able to get a license to operate a motor vehicle without proof of lawful presence — contact your local DPS office to ask about this option.

What if my birth certificate is in another language?

Bring the original document and an official English translation. The translation must be certified by a professional translator or the issuing country's consulate. A translation you do yourself or a translation done by a friend will not be accepted.

How long does it take to get my license after I pass the tests?

Your plastic license card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the DPS office that day, which is valid for driving until your permanent card arrives. Keep the temporary license with you while driving.

Can I take the written test in Spanish?

Yes. The DPS offers the written knowledge test in Spanish at all offices. You can also take it in other languages at some locations — call your local DPS office to ask what languages are available near you.

What happens if I fail the driving test?

You can retake the driving test, usually the same day or within a few days, depending on how busy your local DPS office is. There is no extra fee for retakes. You do not have to retake the written test or vision test — only the driving test. Most people pass on their second or third attempt.