Texas Driver's License may be able to access: The Core Requirements

To get a Texas driver's license, you must be at least 16 years old, a resident of Texas, and able to pass a written test and driving test. Texas does not require you to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need to prove your identity and Texas residency with specific documents. The state also requires that you have a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

If you are under 18, additional rules explore. You must hold a learner's permit (called a Learner License) for a minimum of six months before you can take the driving test for a full license. You also need a parent or legal guardian to sign your process, and you must complete a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency.

Texas has no upper age limit for driver's license holders. If you are 85 or older, you will need to renew in person at a DPS office every two years instead of every eight years, and you may be asked to take a vision test or written test during renewal.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 16 years old and a Texas resident with proof of identity and residency to get a driver's license.
  • Applicants under 18 must hold a Learner License for at least six months and complete a state-approved driver education course before taking the driving test.
  • You need a valid Social Security number or ITIN; Texas does not require U.S. citizenship but does require proof of legal presence in the United States.
  • Drivers 85 and older must renew in person every two years and may be required to pass a vision or written test.
  • If you have certain medical conditions or criminal convictions, you may be ineligible or face restrictions on your license.

Age and Residency Requirements

You must be at least 16 years old to get any type of Texas driver's license. If you are 16 or 17, you start with a Learner License, which allows you to drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat. The Learner License is valid for two years.

Texas residency means you have lived in the state for at least 30 days before you explore. You prove residency by showing a document with your name and current Texas address—examples include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days. A school enrollment letter or property tax receipt also works. You cannot use a post office box as your address.

If you are moving to Texas from another state, you have 30 days after establishing residency to get a Texas license. Your out-of-state license remains valid during that 30-day window, but you cannot renew it once you become a Texas resident.

Identity and Legal Presence Documents

Texas requires proof of identity and proof of legal presence in the United States. These are two separate requirements, and you must bring documents for both to the DPS office.

For proof of identity, you can use a U.S. passport, passport card, certified birth certificate, or a previous driver's license or ID card from any state. If you use a birth certificate, it must be an official certified copy with a raised seal or embossed seal, not a photocopy.

For proof of legal presence, you must show one of these documents: a U.S. passport, passport card, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or a visa paired with your I-94 arrival/departure record. If you have a visa, bring both documents together. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders can use their EAD or a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirming TPS status.

You also need a valid Social Security number or ITIN. If you have an ITIN, bring your most recent IRS tax return or a letter from the IRS showing your ITIN. The DPS will verify your Social Security number or ITIN electronically with the Social Security Administration or IRS.

Medical Conditions and Driving Restrictions

Texas law allows the DPS to deny or restrict a driver's license if you have a medical condition that impairs your ability to drive safely. Common conditions that may trigger a restriction or denial include uncontrolled seizure disorders, severe vision loss, certain heart conditions, and advanced dementia. You are not automatically ineligible because you have a condition—the DPS evaluates whether the condition is controlled and whether you can operate a vehicle safely.

If you have a medical condition, you may be asked to provide a medical report from your doctor on a form called the Medical Examination Report for Driver License (DL 43). Your doctor fills out this form and sends it directly to the DPS. The form asks about your condition, current treatment, and whether you are safe to drive.

If the DPS determines you have a condition that affects your driving, they may issue a license with restrictions—for example, corrective lenses only, daylight driving only, or an automatic transmission only. You will see these restrictions printed on your license card.

Criminal Convictions and License Denial

Texas will deny you a driver's license if you have certain criminal convictions. The most common reason for denial is a conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI). If you have a DWI or DUI conviction within the past 10 years, you are ineligible for a regular license and must instead get an Occupational Driver's License through the court system—not through the DPS directly.

Other convictions that can result in denial include felony convictions involving a motor vehicle, habitual traffic offender status, and certain drug-related felonies. If you have been convicted of a felony involving a motor vehicle, you may be ineligible for a set period of time, which varies by the specific offense.

If your license was suspended or revoked due to a conviction, you must wait out the suspension or revocation period before you can reapply. During that time, you cannot hold a valid Texas driver's license. Once the period ends, you can explore for a new license at a DPS office.

License Suspension and Revocation Disqualifications

You cannot get a new driver's license if your previous license is currently suspended or revoked. A suspension is temporary and has an end date; a revocation is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process. Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, and accumulating too many traffic violations in a short time.

If your license is suspended, you must resolve the underlying issue—pay the fine, appear in court, or satisfy the child support obligation—before the DPS will issue you a new license. You can check your license status on the Texas DPS website or by calling the DPS Customer Service line.

If your license was revoked, you may be able to request reinstatement through the court that issued the revocation, or you may need to wait a set number of years before you are may be able to access to reapply. The process depends on the reason for revocation.

Minors Under 18: Additional Requirements

If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency before you can take the driving test. This course covers traffic laws, safe driving practices, and the consequences of impaired driving. You can take the course through your school, a private driving school, or online. The course takes about 32 hours to complete, though online courses may allow you to work at your own pace.

You must also hold a Learner License for at least six months before you take the driving test. During this time, you can only drive with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot use a cell phone while driving (except in an emergency).

Your parent or legal guardian must sign your process. If you are a ward of the state, a representative of the state agency responsible for your care can sign instead. You will need to bring your parent or guardian to the DPS office with you when you explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Texas driver's license if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Texas does not require citizenship, but you must prove legal presence in the United States with documents like a passport, Green Card, visa with I-94, or EAD. You also need a valid Social Security number or ITIN and proof of Texas residency.

What happens if I have a suspended license from another state?

Texas will not issue you a new license if you have an active suspension or revocation in any state. You must resolve the issue in that state first—pay fines, appear in court, or complete required programs—before you can get a Texas license.

Do I need a driver education course if I am over 18?

No. Driver education is required only for applicants under 18. If you are 18 or older, you can take the written and driving tests without completing a course, though some insurance companies offer discounts if you take a defensive driving course.

Can I get a license if I have a DWI conviction?

Not a regular license. If you have a DWI or DUI conviction within the past 10 years, you must get an Occupational Driver's License through the court system instead. An Occupational License allows you to drive for work, school, medical care, and court-ordered programs only.

What if I cannot pass the vision test?

If you fail the vision test, you can retake it after 30 days. You can also bring a corrective lens prescription from an eye doctor and retake the test wearing corrective lenses. If you pass with lenses, your license will be restricted to corrective lenses only.