What Texas Requires to Issue You a Driver's License

Texas will issue you a driver's license if you are at least 16 years old, a resident of Texas, and can prove your identity and Social Security number. You must also pass a written test on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving test (unless you are renewing or transferring from another state). The state does not require citizenship, but you must have a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Residency in Texas means you live here and intend to stay. You do not need to own property or have a lease in your name — a utility bill, bank statement, or a letter from someone who lets you live with them can show residency. The document must have your name and a Texas address and be dated within the last 60 days.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign your process in person at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. If you are 18 or older, you can explore alone.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 16 years old, prove your identity with a passport or birth certificate, and show a current Social Security number or ITIN to get a Texas driver's license.
  • Texas residency is proven with a recent utility bill, bank statement, or a signed letter from someone who lets you live with them — the document must be dated within 60 days.
  • Minors under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the process in person at a DPS office; adults 18 and older can explore without a co-signer.
  • You must pass a written test on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving test, unless you are renewing or transferring a license from another state.
  • Texas accepts applicants regardless of citizenship status as long as you have a valid Social Security number or ITIN and can prove identity and residency.

Documents That Prove Your Identity

Texas DPS accepts a limited list of documents to prove who you are. A U.S. passport, passport card, or a certified birth certificate are the most common. If you were born outside the United States, a passport from your country of origin works, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad if you were born to a U.S. citizen overseas.

If you do not have any of those, you can use a combination of two secondary documents. Secondary documents include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a bank statement, a utility bill, a school transcript, or a lease. The state will accept two of these together, but not one alone. If you have none of these documents, you will need to contact your local DPS office to discuss what alternatives they may accept.

All documents must be originals or certified copies. Photocopies, faxes, or digital images are not accepted. If your document is in a language other than English, you must bring a certified English translation along with the original.

How to Prove Your Social Security Number

You must bring a document that shows your Social Security number. A Social Security card is the simplest proof. If you do not have a card, you can use a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a bank statement, or a pay stub — any document issued by a government agency or employer that displays your full number.

If you have an ITIN instead of a Social Security number, bring your ITIN letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This letter is issued when you first receive an ITIN and shows your nine-digit number. If you have lost your letter, you can request a replacement from the IRS before you go to DPS.

Texas will not issue a license without proof of a Social Security number or ITIN. If you do not have either, you will need to obtain one before you can explore. The Social Security Administration handles Social Security numbers, and the IRS handles ITINs.

Proving Texas Residency

You must show that you live in Texas and intend to stay. A document dated within the last 60 days with your name and Texas address is required. Utility bills (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) are the most common proof. Bank statements, credit card statements, lease agreements, and mortgage documents also work.

If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name, you can bring a signed, notarized letter from the person who lets you live with them. The letter must state your name, their name, the Texas address where you live, and that you live there. It must be notarized — a notary public must witness the person's signature and stamp the letter. This letter counts as proof of residency for DPS purposes.

If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, contact your local DPS office. Some offices have procedures to issue a license using a shelter address or a mailing address, though this varies by location.

Age Requirements and Restrictions for Minors

You must be at least 16 years old to get a driver's license in Texas. If you are 16 or 17, you are issued a license with restrictions. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a religious event. You also cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free, except in an emergency.

These restrictions stay in place until you turn 18. At 18, you can renew your license without the driving curfew or cell phone restrictions. If you turn 18 before your license expires, you do not have to renew it when ready — you can wait until the expiration date — but the restrictions will still explore until you renew.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must be present when you sign the process at the DPS office. They must bring their own ID. If only one parent has custody, bring the custody order or a court document showing sole custody.

Special Situations: Non-Citizens and ITIN Holders

Texas issues driver's licenses to people who are not U.S. citizens, as long as they have a valid Social Security number or ITIN and can prove identity and residency. You do not need to be a citizen or have a green card. If you have a visa, work permit, or any other immigration status, you can still get a license.

If you have an ITIN, the process is the same as for someone with a Social Security number. Bring your IRS ITIN letter instead of a Social Security card. Your license will be valid for the same length of time as anyone else's — five years for adults, four years for minors — and can be renewed the same way.

If you are in the country without legal status, Texas will still issue you a license as long as you meet the identity, residency, and Social Security or ITIN requirements. However, you cannot use a Texas driver's license as proof of citizenship or legal status for any federal purpose, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. For those purposes, you would need a Real ID-compliant license or another federal document.

What Happens If You Do Not Meet the Requirements

If you cannot prove your identity, Social Security number, or residency, DPS will not issue a license. You will be told which documents are missing and given a chance to return with them. There is no fee to reapply if you come back within a certain time frame — ask your local DPS office what that window is, as it varies.

If you are under 16, you cannot get a driver's license at all in Texas. You can get a learner's permit at 14 if you are enrolled in a driver's education course, but a full license requires you to be 16. If you are 16 but your parent or guardian will not sign the process, you cannot get a license until you turn 18 and can sign it yourself.

If you have a suspended or revoked license from Texas or another state, you cannot get a new license until the suspension or revocation is lifted. You will need to contact the agency that suspended or revoked it — usually DPS or the court — to find out what you must do to restore your driving rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Real ID to get a Texas driver's license?

No. A standard Texas driver's license does not require Real ID documents. However, if you want a Real ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star), you must bring additional documents such as a passport, birth certificate, and proof of Social Security number. Real ID is required only if you want to use your license to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 2025.

Can I get a license if I was born outside the United States?

Yes. Bring a passport from your country of origin, a U.S. passport, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If you were born to a U.S. citizen overseas, the Consular Report works. You must also prove your Social Security number or ITIN and show Texas residency the same way anyone else does.

What if I do not have a Social Security number yet?

You cannot get a driver's license without a Social Security number or ITIN. Contact the Social Security Administration to explore for a number, or the IRS if you need an ITIN. The process takes several weeks. Once you have your number, you can explore for a license.

Can my landlord's letter count as proof of residency if it is not notarized?

No. If the letter is not from a utility company or government agency, it must be notarized. A notary public must witness the person's signature and stamp the letter. You can find notaries at banks, UPS stores, and some law offices. The letter must also state your name, their name, the address, and that you live there.

What if I turn 18 before my minor license expires?

Your license will still have the minor restrictions (no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., no cell phone use) until you renew it. You do not have to renew it when ready when you turn 18 — you can wait until the expiration date — but the restrictions remain in effect until you do renew.