Where to go and what to bring in Lubbock

The Lubbock Driver License Office is located at 1220 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401. This is the only full-service location in Lubbock where you can take your written test, vision test, and photograph for a new license or renewal. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays and weekends.

Before you go, bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID), and proof of lawful presence in the United States. If you are renewing, bring your current license. If you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian and their ID.

The office does not take appointments. You arrive, take a number, and wait. Peak times are mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays. Arriving before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. typically means shorter waits.

Key Takeaways

  • The Lubbock Driver License Office at 1220 Broadway is the only location in Lubbock that issues new licenses and handles renewals; it is open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • You must bring your Social Security card or number, proof of residency dated within 90 days, proof of identity, and proof of lawful presence.
  • No appointment system exists; you take a number and wait, with shorter waits typically before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m.
  • The written test, vision test, and photograph are all completed at the Lubbock office on the same visit.
  • Fees vary by license type and age; a standard five-year license costs less than an eight-year license.

Document checklist for your visit

Texas requires specific documents in original or certified form. A photocopy is not acceptable. You need one document proving your identity: a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, military ID, or foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. You also need your Social Security card or a document issued by a government agency that shows your number, such as a W-2 form or tax return.

Proof of residency must be dated within 90 days of your visit. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank statement. The document must show your name and current Lubbock address.

Proof of lawful presence is required by federal law. U.S. citizens can show a passport, birth certificate, or military discharge papers. Non-citizens must show a valid visa, employment authorization document (EAD), or permanent resident card (green card). If you do not have these documents, the office cannot issue a license.

Written test and vision screening at the Lubbock office

The written test covers Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. It is 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. The test is offered in English and Spanish. You have one hour to complete it. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or return another day at no additional cost.

The vision screening checks your eyesight at the office. You must see at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed that day. You may return after seeing an eye doctor and obtaining a corrective lens prescription or a statement that you do not need correction.

Study materials for the written test are available free on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. The manual covers all topics on the exam. Many people study for one to two weeks before taking the test.

License types and fees in Texas

Texas offers several license types. A standard driver's license is valid for five years and costs $16 for first-time issuance. An enhanced driver's license is valid for five years, costs $32, and allows you to enter Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean by land or sea without a passport. A Real ID-compliant license is valid for five years, costs $16, and is required for federal building access and domestic air travel after May 7, 2025.

If you are 18 to 84 years old, you can choose an eight-year license instead of a five-year license. The eight-year standard license costs $24. The eight-year Real ID license costs $24. The eight-year enhanced license costs $48. Drivers 85 and older must renew every two years.

First-time drivers under 18 receive a Graduated Driver License (GDL) with restrictions. The learner permit is valid for one year and costs $16. The restricted license is valid for one year and costs $16. The unrestricted license is valid for five years and costs $16.

What happens after you pass your test

Once you pass the written and vision tests, you will have your photograph taken at the office. Your license is printed on-site or mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license when ready for travel or work, ask the office staff whether they can print it on-site that day; some locations can, but it is not may provide.

Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days while you wait for the plastic card. You can drive legally with this paper license. Keep it with you until the plastic license arrives.

If your license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Lubbock office to verify your mailing address and check the status. Do not assume it is lost; mail delays happen, especially during high-volume periods.

Renewal by mail or in person

If your license is not suspended or revoked, you can renew by mail if you are 18 or older and your license is not more than two years expired. To renew by mail, complete Form DL-44 (available on the Texas DPS website), include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail both to the address on the form. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days.

You must renew in person if your license is more than two years expired, if you have a medical condition that affects your driving, if you are under 18, or if your address has changed and you cannot update it by mail. In-person renewal at the Lubbock office follows the same process as a new license: written test, vision test, and photograph.

If you are 85 or older, you must renew in person every two years and pass a vision test each time. A written test is not required for renewal if you have held a license for the past five years.

Common mistakes to avoid

Bringing expired documents is the most common reason people are turned away. Your proof of residency must be dated within 90 days. A utility bill from six months ago will not work. Check the date before you leave home.

Forgetting your Social Security card or a document showing your number is another frequent issue. You cannot proceed without it. If you do not have your card, bring a W-2, tax return, or other government document that displays your number.

Arriving without proof of lawful presence stops the process. U.S. citizens often forget that a birth certificate must be certified (raised seal) or original, not a photocopy from the county clerk's office. Non-citizens must have a valid visa or employment authorization document; an expired visa will not work.

If you are under 18, arriving without a parent or guardian means you cannot complete your license that day. Texas law requires a parent or legal guardian to be present and sign the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online in Lubbock?

No. The written test must be taken in person at the Lubbock Driver License Office. You cannot take it online, by mail, or at any other location. You must go to 1220 Broadway to take the test.

What if I fail the written test?

You can retake it the same day at no additional cost, or you can return another day. There is no limit on how many times you can retake it. Most people who study the Texas Driver Handbook pass on the second or third attempt.

Do I need a Real ID license to drive in Texas?

No. A standard driver's license is legal for driving in Texas and all other states. Real ID is required only for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025. If you fly domestically or enter federal buildings, get Real ID. Otherwise, a standard license is sufficient.

How long does it take to get a license after I pass the test?

Your plastic license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. You receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while you wait. Some offices can print the plastic license on-site the same day, but this is not may provide in Lubbock.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not extend your expiration date; your new license will expire five or eight years from the original expiration date, not from the renewal date.