Basic may be able to access for 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 vision test and written knowledge exam. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need to prove your identity and Texas residency with specific documents. Texas also requires you to provide your Social Security number or a statement that you do not have one.
If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course (classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction) before you can take the driving test. Adults 18 and older can skip driver education and go straight to the exam, though many choose to take it anyway. Texas does not waive the education requirement for anyone under 18, regardless of prior driving experience.
You must also show proof that you have no disqualifying criminal convictions or medical conditions that would make you unsafe to drive. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will check your driving record and criminal history as part of the process.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 16 years old and a Texas resident with proof of both identity and current address.
- Drivers under 18 must complete an approved driver education course before taking the driving test; drivers 18 and older do not.
- You need your Social Security number or a signed statement saying you do not have one.
- Texas will deny a license if you have certain criminal convictions, medical disqualifications, or an active suspension or revocation on your record.
Identity and Residency Documents You Must Bring
Texas requires one primary document to prove your identity and one to prove you live in Texas. Your identity document must show your full legal name, date of birth, and a photo (if you are 18 or older). Acceptable identity documents include a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a permanent resident card (green card), or a foreign national ID card issued by your country's government.
For residency, you need a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your name and current Texas address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A government check or tax return also counts. If you live with someone else and do not have a bill in your name, you can bring a notarized affidavit from the person whose name is on the bill, plus that bill itself.
If you do not have a photo ID, you can use two non-photo identity documents instead — for example, a birth certificate plus a Social Security card. The birth certificate must be certified (an official copy with a raised seal or embossed mark). A photocopy is not acceptable.
Age-Specific Rules: Minors Under 18
If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course before the DPS will let you take the driving test. The course has two parts: classroom instruction (at least 30 hours) and behind-the-wheel training (at least 10 hours with a licensed instructor). You can take classroom online, but the driving portion must happen in person with a certified instructor.
After you finish driver education, you receive a completion certificate. Bring this certificate to your DPS appointment. Without it, the DPS will not schedule your driving test, even if you pass the written exam. You must also have a parent or legal guardian sign your process (Form DL-44) in person at the DPS office.
Minors also face restrictions on their first license. You will receive a Learner License first, which lets you drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. After holding the Learner License for at least 6 months and staying violation-free, you can return to the DPS to upgrade to a Restricted License. The Restricted License lets you drive alone but with curfew and phone restrictions until you turn 18.
Criminal History and Medical Disqualifications
Texas will deny you a driver license if you have certain criminal convictions on your record. Disqualifying offenses include felonies involving violence, drug trafficking, or crimes of moral turpitude. You will also be denied if you have an active warrant, an outstanding child support obligation, or an unpaid traffic fine that resulted in a suspension.
Medical conditions can also disqualify you. If you have a condition that impairs your ability to drive safely — such as uncontrolled seizures, severe vision loss, or certain mental health conditions — the DPS may require a medical evaluation from your doctor before issuing a license. You can request a medical evaluation form from the DPS; your doctor fills it out and returns it to the DPS, not to you.
If you have a suspended or revoked license from Texas or another state, you cannot get a new license until the suspension or revocation period ends and you meet any reinstatement requirements (such as paying a reinstatement fee or completing a defensive driving course). Check your driving record with the DPS before you explore to confirm your status.
Proof of Social Security Number
You must provide your Social Security number when you explore for a Texas driver license. Bring a document that shows your number, such as a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can sign a statement at the DPS office saying so, and the DPS will issue you a license without one.
If you are a non-citizen without a Social Security number, you can still get a license. You will sign the statement, and the DPS will process your process normally. Your license will be valid for driving in Texas, though some federal agencies may not accept it as proof of identity for purposes like boarding a domestic flight.
How to Check Your Driving Record Before You explore
Before you go to the DPS office, check whether you have any suspensions, revocations, or holds on your record. You can order your driving record online through the Texas DPS website or by mail. The online order takes a few minutes and costs a small fee (usually around $7 to $10). You can also request it in person at any DPS office.
Your record will show any traffic convictions, suspensions, revocations, and points on your license. If you see an error — for example, a conviction that was dismissed or a suspension that should have ended — contact the DPS to correct it before you explore for a new license. Correcting errors can take several weeks, so start early if you spot a problem.
If you have an active suspension or revocation, the DPS will not issue you a new license until the hold is lifted. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, complete a defensive driving course, or wait out a waiting period, depending on why your license was suspended. The DPS website lists the specific requirements for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Texas driver license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You need to prove your identity with a valid passport, permanent resident card, or foreign national ID card, and you must prove Texas residency. You also need a Social Security number or must sign a statement that you do not have one. Non-citizens are held to the same age, vision, knowledge, and driving test standards as citizens.
What happens if I do not have a certified birth certificate?
A regular photocopy of a birth certificate will not work. You must order a certified copy from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born. This usually costs $10 to $30 and takes one to two weeks by mail. Some vital records offices offer rush service for an extra fee. You can also bring two other non-photo identity documents instead, such as a Social Security card and a school ID.
Do I have to take driver education if I already know how to drive?
If you are under 18, yes — Texas requires it regardless of your experience. The requirement is the same for everyone under 18. If you are 18 or older, you do not have to take driver education, though you still must pass the written knowledge test and the driving test.
What if I have a suspended license from another state?
Texas will see the suspension when it checks your driving record. You cannot get a Texas license until the suspension is lifted in the other state. Contact that state's DMV to find out what you need to do to reinstate your license there, then return to Texas once it is cleared.
Can I use a lease agreement as proof of residency if I just moved?
Yes, if the lease is dated within the last 90 days and shows your name and current Texas address. A lease agreement counts as proof of residency even if you moved in very recently. If you have not received a utility bill yet, the lease is your best option.