What Texas requires for a driver's license
Texas issues driver's licenses through the Department of Public Safety (DPS). To get one, you must be at least 16 years old, pass a written knowledge test and a driving test, and provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number. Texas does not issue licenses to people without a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued before 2013.
The state recognizes several types of licenses depending on your age and driving history. A standard Class C license lets you drive passenger vehicles. A Class M license is required if you ride a motorcycle. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders can operate trucks and buses and must meet additional medical and testing standards.
Texas has a graduated licensing system for drivers under 18. You start with a learner permit (Instruction Permit), move to a Restricted License at 16, and can get an unrestricted license at 18. Each step has different age requirements, supervised driving hours, and restrictions on when and where you can drive.
Key Takeaways
- Texas requires proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number or ITIN (issued before 2013) before you can take a license test.
- Drivers under 18 must complete a graduated licensing system: Instruction Permit first, then Restricted License at 16, then unrestricted license at 18.
- A standard Class C license costs $16 for a four-year term; motorcycle and commercial licenses have different fees and medical requirements.
- Texas licenses expire on your birthday four years after issue; you can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your age and license type.
- If you move to Texas from another state, you have 30 days to exchange your out-of-state license for a Texas license.
Documents you need to bring to the DPS office
Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or state ID. You also need a document showing your current address—a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 90 days works. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your number.
If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian. Texas requires a parent or guardian to sign the process in person. If your guardian is not available, you can bring a notarized consent form, but the DPS office will not accept it by mail—you must present it in person.
Bring your current license if you have one, even if it is expired. If you are renewing, bring your license and proof of residency. If you are explore for a CDL, bring your medical certificate (Form MCSA-5876) issued by a certified medical examiner within the last 14 months.
Graduated licensing for drivers under 18
Texas requires all drivers under 18 to follow a three-step process. The first step is the Instruction Permit, available at age 14. You must pass a written test and a vision screening. With an Instruction Permit, you can only drive with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
At age 16, you can take the driving test and move to a Restricted License. You must have held the Instruction Permit for at least six months and completed at least 30 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night. With a Restricted License, you can drive alone during the day but cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to work, school, or a medical appointment.
At age 18, the Restricted License becomes unrestricted automatically. You no longer have time-of-day restrictions. If you turn 18 before your Restricted License expires, you do not need to renew it—it straightforward converts. If you are 18 and have never held a Texas license, you can skip the graduated system and take the driving test directly for a standard license.
License types and what each one covers
Class C is the standard passenger vehicle license. It covers cars, pickup trucks, and vans under 26,001 pounds. Most drivers hold a Class C license. It costs $16 for a four-year term.
Class M is for motorcycles and motorized bicycles. You must pass a separate motorcycle knowledge test and riding test, or show proof of completion from an approved motorcycle safety course. A Class M license costs $16 for four years and can be added to a Class C license on the same card.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required to drive trucks over 26,001 pounds, buses, or vehicles carrying hazardous materials. You must pass a medical examination, a written test specific to the vehicle type, and a driving test. CDL holders must renew every four years and pass a medical exam at each renewal. A CDL costs $20 for four years.
Occupational License is available if your regular license has been suspended. It lets you drive to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs only. You must show proof of hardship and cannot drive for any other purpose. An Occupational License costs $100 and lasts one year.
Renewal timelines and methods in Texas
Texas licenses expire on your birthday four years after issue. You can renew up to one year before expiration. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew by mail or online—you must visit a DPS office and retake the written and driving tests.
If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew online through the DPS website if you meet these conditions: you are 18 or older, your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical conditions that require a new medical certificate, and you have not changed your name or address. Online renewal costs $16 and takes about one week.
You can also renew by mail if you are 18 or older and your license is not suspended. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. Visit a DPS office if you need to change your address, name, or photo, or if you are renewing a CDL (which requires a new medical exam). In-person renewal is fastest—you can walk out with a temporary license the same day.
Moving to Texas from another state
If you move to Texas and hold a valid out-of-state license, you have 30 days to exchange it for a Texas license. You do not need to retake the written or driving test if your out-of-state license is current and valid. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of residency, and proof of identity to a DPS office.
If your out-of-state license is expired, you must retake both the written and driving tests. If you are under 18 and your out-of-state license was issued under a graduated system different from Texas's, Texas will place you in the appropriate step of its own graduated system based on your age and driving history.
If you are moving to Texas and do not have a license from another state, you must follow the same process as a first-time applicant: get an Instruction Permit, hold it for the required time, pass the driving test, and follow the graduated system if you are under 18.
Suspensions, revocations, and how to restore your license
Texas suspends licenses for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or accumulating too many points on your driving record. A suspension is temporary—your license is automatically restored once you pay the fine, appear in court, or meet the requirement. You do not need to reapply or retake a test.
A revocation is permanent removal of your license. Texas revokes licenses for DWI convictions, multiple serious violations within a short time, or habitual traffic offender status. To restore a revoked license, you must wait the required period (usually one to five years depending on the offense), pay a reinstatement fee ($100 for most revocations), and pass the written and driving tests again.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you may be able to get an Occupational License to drive to work and essential appointments. You must show proof of hardship and file a petition with the court. An Occupational License does not restore your full driving rights—it is a limited license that lasts one year and can be renewed annually if you continue to meet the hardship requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Texas license if I do not have a Social Security number?
No, unless you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued before January 1, 2013. Texas does not issue licenses to people with ITINs issued after that date. If you do not have either document, you cannot get a standard driver's license in Texas.
What happens if I turn 18 while holding a Restricted License?
Your Restricted License automatically becomes unrestricted on your 18th birthday. You do not need to visit a DPS office or renew it. The time-of-day restrictions straightforward disappear, and you can drive at any hour. Your license remains valid until its expiration date.
How long does it take to get a license after I pass the driving test?
If you pass the test in person at a DPS office, you receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 30 days. Your plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you renew online, the temporary license is emailed to you and your plastic license arrives in about one week.
Do I need to retake the driving test if I renew my license?
No. Standard renewals do not require a new driving test. You only retake the test if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you are restoring a revoked license, or if you are upgrading to a CDL or adding a motorcycle endorsement.
What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?
A suspension is temporary and your license is restored automatically once you meet the requirement (pay a fine, appear in court). A revocation is permanent and you must wait a set period, pay a reinstatement fee, and pass tests again before you can drive legally.