Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office

Texas requires you to bring specific documents in person to a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. You cannot complete a license process by mail or online. The documents fall into three categories: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.

For proof of identity, bring one document from this list: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa, a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or a Texas ID card. The document must be an original or certified copy — photocopies do not work. If your birth certificate is from outside Texas, it must have a raised seal or be certified by the issuing state.

For proof of residency, bring one document showing your current Texas address from the past 30 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance policy, a property tax bill, or a government notice. The document must show your name and address. A cell phone bill does not count. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring a signed affidavit from the resident whose name is on the bill, plus a copy of that bill.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a paystub, or a Social Security Administration letter. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get a license, but you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for one.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring an original or certified identity document, a proof of residency from the past 30 days, and proof of your Social Security number to a DPS office in person.
  • A utility bill, lease, or bank statement works for residency; a cell phone bill does not.
  • Your birth certificate must have a raised seal or be certified by the state that issued it.
  • You will take a written test on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving test before the license is issued.
  • The fee is $16 for a Class C license valid for five years, or $32 for an eight-year license.

The Written Test and Vision Screening

Before you take the driving test, you must pass a written test on Texas traffic laws and road signs. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly. You can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free and available online at the DPS website or in print at any DPS office.

The vision screening happens at the DPS office on the same day. You will read an eye chart from a standard distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you will be referred to an eye doctor and cannot proceed that day. Once you have a corrective lens prescription, you can return and retake the vision test.

You can take the written test in English or Spanish. If English is not your first language, you may request an interpreter, but you must arrange this before your appointment or ask at the office when you arrive.

The Driving Test and Road Skills

After you pass the written and vision tests, you will take the driving test with a DPS examiner. The test takes about 20 to 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, turning, stopping, parking, and following traffic laws. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working brakes, steering, lights, wipers, and mirrors.

You will be tested on your ability to start the vehicle, accelerate smoothly, brake safely, turn without hitting the curb, park in a straight line, and obey traffic signals and signs. The examiner will also check that you can adjust mirrors and seat, use turn signals, and maintain control of the vehicle. If you fail, you can retake the test, but you must pay the fee again.

Bring your Social Security card or other proof of your number to the test, even though you already brought it when you applied. Bring your glasses or contacts if you need them. Do not bring passengers other than the examiner.

Fees and How Long It Takes

A Class C driver's license (the standard license for personal vehicles) costs $16 for a five-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. You pay this fee at the DPS office when you submit your documents. If you fail the driving test and retake it, you pay the test fee again, which is included in the license fee.

The entire process — documents, written test, vision test, and driving test — usually happens on the same day if you pass all tests. If you fail the written or vision test, you will need to return on another day. If you fail the driving test, you can schedule a retest, typically within a few days to a week depending on the office's schedule.

After you pass all tests, the DPS office will issue your license on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent plastic card is mailed to your address. The permanent card arrives within two to three weeks.

Age-Specific Requirements and Restrictions

If you are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian sign your process in person at the DPS office. You also must complete a driver education course (classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction) before you can take the driving test. The course is offered by public schools, private driving schools, and online providers. You must bring a certificate of completion to the DPS office.

Drivers under 18 also receive a Graduated Driver License (GDL) with restrictions. For the first six months, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless a licensed adult 21 or older is in the vehicle. After six months, the nighttime restriction lifts, but you still cannot use a cell phone while driving. At 18, you can request an unrestricted license.

If you are 18 or older, you do not need a parent's signature or a driver education course. You can go directly to the DPS office with your documents and take the tests.

What Happens If You Fail a Test

If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or return another day. There is no additional fee for retaking the written test at the same visit. If you fail on a different visit, you may need to pay the process fee again depending on the office's policy.

If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed that day. You must see an eye doctor, get a corrective lens prescription if needed, and return to the DPS office to retake the vision test. There is no fee to retake the vision test.

If you fail the driving test, you must schedule a new appointment. You will pay the test fee again. You can retake the test as many times as needed. Most people pass on the second or third attempt. Between attempts, practice with a licensed driver in the vehicle.

Documents You Cannot Use and Common Mistakes

Do not bring a photocopy of your birth certificate unless it is certified. Do not bring a cell phone bill as proof of residency. Do not bring a document with an address that is more than 30 days old. Do not bring a vehicle that is not registered or insured to the driving test.

A common mistake is bringing only one residency document when you live with someone else whose name is on the bill. You must bring both the bill and a signed affidavit from that person. Another mistake is not bringing your glasses or contacts to the vision test if you wear them. If you fail the vision test because you did not bring your corrective lenses, you will have to return another day.

Do not assume your out-of-state birth certificate will work without a raised seal. Call the DPS office before your appointment if you are unsure whether your documents meet the requirements. Each DPS office has the same rules, but staff can answer questions about your specific documents.

Where to Find a DPS Office and Schedule an Appointment

Texas has DPS driver license offices in most cities and towns. You can find the office nearest you and check hours on the DPS website at dps.texas.gov. Some offices accept walk-ins, but many require an appointment. You can schedule an appointment online through the DPS website or by calling the office directly.

Appointment availability varies by location. In large cities, appointments may be booked weeks in advance. In smaller towns, you may get an appointment within a few days. If you cannot find an appointment near you, check offices in neighboring towns or counties.

Bring all your documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost or damaged. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring a pen in case you need to fill out forms by hand. The office will provide the process form, but having your own pen speeds up the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Texas driver's license if I do not have a Social Security number?

Yes. You can get a license without a Social Security number if you bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for one. Bring this letter along with your other documents to the DPS office. The license will be issued normally.

What if my residency document is in someone else's name?

You can use it if you bring a signed affidavit from the person whose name is on the document, stating that you live at that address. The affidavit must be signed and dated. Bring both the original document and the affidavit to the DPS office.

Do I have to take the driving test if I already have a license from another state?

No. If you have a valid out-of-state license, you can transfer it to a Texas license without taking the driving test. You still must pass the written test and vision test. Bring your out-of-state license along with your proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.

What if I fail the driving test multiple times?

You can retake it as many times as you need. Each attempt costs the test fee. Between attempts, practice with a licensed driver. If you are struggling with a specific skill, consider taking a few lessons with a professional driving instructor before your next test.

How long is a Texas driver's license valid?

A Class C license is valid for five years or eight years, depending on which option you choose when you pay the fee. You can renew it by mail, online, or in person before it expires. Renewal is simpler than getting your first license and does not require a new driving test.