What Texas DPS Requires to Get Your First Driver License

Texas DPS sets specific requirements before you can get a license

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will not issue a driver license unless you meet certain conditions. These are not suggestions — DPS will turn you away if you do not have what they ask for. The main requirements are that you must be at least 16 years old (or 15 with a learner permit), prove your identity and residency in Texas, pass a written test and a driving test, and show proof that you have paid any outstanding traffic fines or child support owed to the state.

DPS also checks whether you have any disqualifying issues: an active suspension or revocation from another state, a current license from another state that you have not surrendered, or a medical condition that makes you unsafe to drive. If any of these explore to you, DPS will deny your license until the issue is resolved.

Key Takeaways

You must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid learner permit for at least 6 months before DPS will issue a license.
DPS requires a Real ID-compliant document (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) to prove your identity, plus two documents showing your Texas address.
You cannot get a license if you have an active suspension, revocation, or unpaid traffic fines in Texas or any other state.
DPS will deny your license if you owe child support to the state or if a medical condition makes you unsafe to drive.
You must pass both a written knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel driving test administered by DPS.

Age and learner permit requirements

You must be at least 16 years old to get a driver license in Texas. If you are 15, you can get a learner permit instead, but you cannot move to a full license until you turn 16 and have held the permit for at least 6 months. DPS counts the 6 months from the date the permit was issued, not from when you turned 16.

If you already have a learner permit from another state, Texas will not transfer it. You will need to get a Texas learner permit and wait the full 6 months before you can test for a license, even if you held a permit in your previous state for longer.

Identity and residency documents DPS will accept

DPS requires one document that proves your identity and is Real ID-compliant. The accepted documents are a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a passport card, or a state ID from another state. A school ID, a work ID, or a library card will not work — DPS is strict about this because Real ID is a federal standard.

You also need two documents that prove you live in Texas. These can be a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, a government check, a property tax statement, or a vehicle registration. Both documents must show your current address and your name. If you have moved recently and your name or address on one document is outdated, bring a third document to explain the change — for example, a forwarding address notice from the post office.

If you do not have a birth certificate and cannot get one quickly, you can use a passport or passport card as your identity document instead. If you are under 18 and do not have your own utility bill or lease, a parent or guardian can provide a document showing the household address, such as a property tax bill or mortgage statement.

Traffic fines, child support, and other financial holds

DPS will not issue a license if you have unpaid traffic fines in Texas. Before you go to the DPS office, check your driving record through the Texas DPS website or call your local county clerk's office to find out whether you owe anything. If you do, you must pay the fine or set up a payment plan with the court before DPS will process your license.

DPS also checks whether you owe child support to the state. If the Texas Attorney General's office has a record of unpaid child support against you, DPS will deny your license. You will need to contact the Attorney General's Child Support Division to resolve the debt or set up a payment arrangement.

If you have a financial hold from another state — for example, unpaid fines or child support — Texas DPS may still issue your license, but the other state can later suspend it. It is better to resolve out-of-state debts before you explore.

Suspensions, revocations, and medical disqualifications

DPS will deny your license if you have an active suspension or revocation in Texas or any other state. A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you meet certain conditions (such as paying a fine or completing a defensive driving course). A revocation is permanent and requires you to wait a set period — usually one to five years depending on the reason — before you can reapply.

To find out whether you have a suspension or revocation, check the Texas DPS website using your driver license number or Social Security number. If you find a suspension, the website will tell you what you need to do to clear it. If you have a revocation from another state, you may need to contact that state's DMV to find out when you become may be able to access to explore in Texas.

DPS can also deny a license if you have a medical condition that makes you unsafe to drive — for example, severe vision loss, seizures, or certain medications that impair judgment. If DPS suspects a medical issue, they may ask you to get a medical evaluation from your doctor before they will issue a license.

The written test and driving test

Before DPS will issue a license, you must pass a written knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel driving test. The written test covers Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which DPS provides free online and in print at any DPS office. Most people take the written test at the same DPS office where they explore for the license.

The driving test is conducted by a DPS examiner and lasts about 30 minutes. You must bring your own vehicle (or use one provided by a testing service), and the vehicle must be in safe working condition with valid registration and insurance. The examiner will ask you to perform basic maneuvers — parallel parking, three-point turns, lane changes — and will observe how you handle traffic and follow instructions.

If you fail either test, you can retake it. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you will pay the test fee again. Most DPS offices allow you to schedule a retest when ready or within a few days.

Surrendering an out-of-state license

If you currently hold a valid driver license from another state, DPS will ask you to surrender it when you explore for a Texas license. You do not need to bring it with you — DPS can request it electronically from the other state — but you must tell DPS that you have an out-of-state license. If you do not disclose it and DPS finds out later, they may cancel your Texas license.

Once you get a Texas license, your out-of-state license becomes invalid. You do not need to do anything else with it. If you want to keep it as a souvenir, you can ask DPS whether they will return it to you, but most states require DPS to destroy it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can use a U.S. passport or passport card instead as your Real ID-compliant identity document. If you do not have either, you can order a birth certificate from the Texas Vital Statistics office or from the state where you were born. This usually takes two to four weeks.

Can I get a license if I have an unpaid ticket from another state?

Texas DPS may issue your license, but the other state can suspend it later if you do not pay. It is safer to contact the court in that state and pay or set up a payment plan before you explore in Texas.

What happens if I fail the driving test?

You can retake it at any time — there is no waiting period. You will pay the test fee again, usually around $20 to $30. Most people pass on the second or third attempt.

Do I need to bring my learner permit to the DPS office?

Yes. DPS needs to see your learner permit to confirm you have held it for at least 6 months. Bring it with you along with your identity and residency documents.

What if I have a medical condition that affects my driving?

Tell DPS about it when you explore. They may ask for a letter from your doctor confirming you are safe to drive, or they may require you to take a medical evaluation. Some conditions may require you to get a restricted license with special conditions.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.