You get your Texas driver's license at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, either in person or by mail for renewals
Texas has one place that issues driver's licenses: the Department of Public Safety. You cannot get a Texas license at the DMV (Texas does not have a DMV), at a county courthouse, or at a private vendor. The DPS runs 124 driver license offices across the state, plus you can renew by mail or online if you meet certain conditions. Your first license or a replacement after suspension requires an in-person visit.
The DPS office you visit depends on where you live or work. You do not have to go to the one nearest your home — you can visit any DPS driver license office in Texas. However, wait times vary widely by location and time of day, so choosing a less-busy office can save you hours.
Key Takeaways
- Texas driver's licenses are issued only by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), not by county offices or private vendors.
- You must visit a DPS office in person for your first license, after a suspension, or to replace a lost or stolen license.
- You can find your nearest DPS office and check current wait times on the Texas DPS website before you go.
- Renewals by mail or online are available only if your license is not suspended and you meet age and residency requirements.
- Bring your documents in the order the DPS lists them, because offices will turn you away if required documents are missing.
Finding a DPS Driver License Office Near You
The Texas DPS website has a searchable map of all 124 driver license offices. You enter your city or zip code, and the map shows you every office within a radius you choose. Each office listing includes the street address, phone number, and hours of operation. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others are open Saturday mornings. A few high-traffic locations stay open into the evening.
The DPS website also shows current wait times at each office, updated throughout the day. Wait times are estimates based on the number of people ahead of you, not a may provide. Early morning (right when an office opens) and mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) typically have shorter waits than Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. If your nearest office shows a 90-minute wait, you may save time by driving to an office 20 miles away that shows a 20-minute wait.
You can call a DPS office directly to ask about wait times, but the website is faster. The phone number for each office is listed on the location page.
What to Bring to Your In-Person Visit
The DPS requires specific documents in a specific order. Bring them in the order listed on the DPS checklist for your situation (first-time license, replacement, or renewal after suspension). Offices will not accept documents out of order or missing from the list, and they will turn you away if anything is missing.
For a first-time Texas license, you typically need proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or consulate ID), proof of Social Security number (Social Security card or W-2), proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and proof of lawful presence (passport, visa, or I-94). If you are under 18, you also need a parent or guardian's signature on your process.
For a replacement license after suspension or loss, bring your proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency again. If your license was suspended, you may also need proof that you have met the reason for suspension — for example, proof of insurance if it was suspended for driving without coverage, or a court document if it was suspended for unpaid traffic fines.
Bring originals, not copies. The DPS will not accept photocopies or digital images on your phone, even if they are notarized.
How to Renew Without Going to an Office
If your license is not suspended and you are renewing before it expires, you may renew by mail or online. Online renewal is available if your license is not expired, you are between 18 and 84 years old, and your address has not changed. You pay the renewal fee online, upload a new photo, and your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Mail renewal takes longer but works the same way: you fill out the form, include a check or money order, and mail it to the DPS address on the form. Processing takes 15 to 20 business days after the DPS receives it. Mail renewal is not available if your license has been suspended or if you need to update your address, height, or other information.
If your license has expired by more than two years, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must visit an office in person and retake the written test and vision test.
What Happens During Your Visit
When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give them your documents. A staff member will review them to make sure everything is there and matches. If anything is missing or does not match, they will tell you what you need to bring back. If everything is complete, you will fill out your process form (DL-44 for a first-time license).
Next, you will take a vision test. You read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them to the test. If you fail the vision test, you cannot get your license that day — you will need to see an eye doctor and come back with a vision correction form.
Then you will take a photo for your license. You sit in front of a camera, and the photo is taken automatically. You cannot smile, wear a hat, or have anything covering your face. The photo is printed on your license the same day.
Finally, you will take the written test if it is required (first-time licenses and some replacements). The test is on a computer and covers Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You need to pass with a score of at least 70 percent. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at no extra cost, but you can take it only three times in one visit. If you fail all three times, you must come back another day.
How Long It Takes to Get Your License
If you pass everything on your first visit, your temporary paper license is printed before you leave. You can drive legally on that temporary license for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed to you. The plastic card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
If you fail the vision test or the written test, you will not get a license that day. You will need to fix the problem (see an eye doctor, study and retake the test) and come back for another appointment.
The total time in the office is usually 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how busy the office is and whether you pass all tests on the first try. The wait time before you are called is separate from the time spent at the window and taking tests.
Special Situations: Suspensions, Holds, and Restrictions
If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must visit an office in person. Before you go, find out why your license is suspended. Common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, driving without insurance, or failure to pay child support. The DPS website has a tool where you can check your license status and the reason for any suspension.
To lift a suspension, you usually need to provide proof that you have resolved the issue. For example, if your license was suspended for driving without insurance, bring proof of current insurance. If it was suspended for unpaid fines, bring a court document showing the fines are paid. If it was suspended for failure to pay child support, bring a letter from the child support office saying the debt is current.
Some suspensions cannot be lifted at the DPS office — you must go to the court or agency that ordered the suspension first. The DPS staff will tell you if that is the case when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make an appointment at a DPS office, or do I have to walk in?
Most DPS offices take walk-ins only, but some high-traffic locations now offer appointment scheduling through the DPS website. Check your local office's page to see if appointments are available. Even with an appointment, you may wait, but it is usually shorter than the walk-in wait time.
What if I do not have all my documents when I go?
The office will turn you away and tell you what you are missing. You cannot get a license without every document on the required list. Go home, gather the missing documents, and come back. There is no penalty for returning with the correct documents.
Can someone else pick up my license for me?
No. You must be present for the photo, vision test, and written test. Someone else cannot do these things on your behalf. You must visit the office yourself.
What if I fail the written test?
You can retake it up to three times the same day at no extra cost. If you fail all three times, you must leave and come back another day. Most people pass on the second or third try after studying the material more.
How do I check if my license is suspended?
Visit the Texas DPS website and use the license status check tool. Enter your license number or Social Security number, and it will tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, or expired, and the reason if it is suspended.