Basic Requirements to Hold a Texas Driver License

To get a driver license in Texas, you must be at least 16 years old, a resident of Texas, and able to pass a written test and driving test. You also need a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and you must provide proof of your identity and Texas residency. Texas does not require you to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need to prove your legal presence in the state.

If you are under 18, you have additional steps: you must complete a driver education course (classroom and behind-the-wheel), hold a learner permit for at least six months, and have a licensed adult supervise your driving. Applicants 18 and older can skip the driver education requirement but still need to pass the written and driving tests.

Texas also checks your driving record and criminal history. If you have certain convictions, suspensions, or outstanding warrants, you may be denied a license. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) makes the final decision on whether you meet the requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 16 years old, a Texas resident, and able to provide proof of identity and Social Security number or ITIN to get a driver license.
  • Applicants under 18 must complete driver education, hold a learner permit for six months, and have a licensed adult supervise their driving.
  • Texas does not require citizenship but does require proof of legal presence in the state.
  • The Texas Department of Public Safety will deny a license if you have certain criminal convictions, active suspensions, or outstanding warrants.
  • You must pass both a written knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel driving test to receive your license.

Proof of Identity and Residency Documents You'll Need

Texas requires at least one primary identity document and one proof of residency. Primary identity documents include a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a foreign passport with a valid visa, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. If you do not have one of these, you can use a combination of secondary documents such as a school ID, a work ID, or a military discharge paper.

For proof of residency, you need a document dated within the last 90 days showing your name and Texas address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government check. A mail piece from a government agency also works. If you are homeless, you can use a letter from a shelter or social service agency instead.

Bring the original documents or certified copies to the DPS office. Photocopies alone are not accepted. If your documents are in another language, bring an official translation along with the original.

Age-Based Rules: Under 18 vs. 18 and Older

Applicants under 18 must complete a driver education course before they can get a learner permit. The classroom portion covers traffic laws and safe driving; the behind-the-wheel portion is usually six hours with a certified instructor. After you pass the written test at DPS, you receive a learner permit. You must hold this permit for at least six months and drive at least 40 hours (10 of them at night) with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front seat.

Once you have held the learner permit for six months and completed your supervised driving hours, you can take the driving test. If you pass, you receive a Restricted License valid until age 18. This license has restrictions: you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to work, school, or a medical appointment, and you cannot use a cell phone while driving. At age 18, these restrictions lift and you get a standard license.

If you are 18 or older, you do not need a learner permit or driver education course. You can go directly to a DPS office, pass the written test, and schedule a driving test. Once you pass the driving test, you receive a standard license with no restrictions.

Social Security Number and Legal Presence Requirements

You must provide a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to get a Texas driver license. If you do not have an SSN, you can obtain an ITIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by filing a tax return or by visiting an IRS office. Bring your passport, visa, or other identity document when you explore for an ITIN.

Texas also requires proof of legal presence in the United States. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, a birth certificate, a visa, a green card, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) document, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval notice. If you have a visa, it must be valid or have expired no more than two years ago. If you are unsure whether your document proves legal presence, contact DPS before you go to the office.

If you cannot provide proof of legal presence, you cannot get a standard driver license. However, you may be able to get a Texas ID card instead, which does not require proof of legal presence and can be used for identification purposes, though not for driving.

Reasons You Might Be Denied a License

The Texas Department of Public Safety will deny your license if you have an active driver license suspension or revocation in Texas or any other state. Suspensions can result from unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, unpaid court fines, or conviction of certain traffic offenses. If your license is suspended, you must resolve the underlying issue (pay the ticket, pay the fines, or satisfy the court order) before DPS will issue a new license.

You will also be denied if you have certain criminal convictions, including felonies involving violence, drug trafficking, or fraud. Some convictions require a waiting period before you can reapply. Additionally, if you have an outstanding warrant or are subject to a protective order, DPS may deny your license. If you have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), you may be denied or required to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive.

Medical conditions that affect your ability to drive safely can also result in denial. If you have a seizure disorder, severe vision loss, or a condition that causes loss of consciousness, DPS may require a medical evaluation or deny your license. You can request a hearing if your license is denied; DPS will provide information about how to do this when they send you the denial letter.

Real ID Compliance and What It Means for Your License

Texas driver licenses issued after January 22, 2018 are Real ID compliant, meaning they meet federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and can be used for domestic air travel, entry to federal buildings, and access to military bases. If your license does not have this star, it was issued before the Real ID important date and is not compliant.

Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID license or another federally accepted document (such as a passport) to board a domestic flight in the United States. If your current license is not Real ID compliant, you can renew it early and request a Real ID license at the same time. The process is the same as a regular renewal: bring your documents, pass the vision test, and pay the renewal fee.

If you are renewing your license and want to make sure it is Real ID compliant, tell the DPS employee at the counter. They will verify that your documents meet Real ID standards and issue you a compliant license. There is no extra cost for Real ID compliance.

What Happens After You Pass Your Tests

Once you pass both the written test and the driving test, DPS will issue your license on the spot or mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the office. Your license is valid for six years if you are under 85 years old, and eight years if you are 85 or older. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license.

Your license will show your name, date of birth, address, a photo, your signature, and any restrictions (such as corrective lenses or a medical restriction). If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, this will be noted on your license. If you have a medical condition that requires monitoring, DPS may add a restriction requiring you to have regular medical evaluations.

Keep your license with you whenever you drive. If you lose it, you can get a replacement at any DPS office by paying a replacement fee and showing your identity document. If your address changes, you can update it online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a driver license if I have a suspended license from another state?

No. Texas will not issue a license if you have an active suspension or revocation in any state. You must contact the other state's motor vehicle department to find out what you need to do to clear the suspension, then return to Texas DPS to explore.

What if I don't have a Social Security number?

You can get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. Bring your passport or visa and file a tax return or visit an IRS office. Once you have an ITIN, you can use it in place of a Social Security number when you explore for your Texas driver license.

Do I need a learner permit if I'm 18 or older?

No. If you are 18 or older, you can go directly to DPS, take the written test, and schedule a driving test. You do not need a learner permit or driver education course. You will receive your license once you pass the driving test.

What documents prove legal presence in the U.S.?

A U.S. passport, birth certificate, visa, green card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) document, or DACA approval notice all prove legal presence. Your visa must be valid or expired no more than two years ago. If you are unsure, contact DPS before you visit an office.

Can I use my driver license for domestic air travel after May 2025?

Only if it has a Real ID gold star in the upper right corner. If your license does not have this star, you will need a passport or other federally accepted document to board a domestic flight. You can renew your license early and request a Real ID license at any DPS office.