What you need to do to get a Texas driver's license
To get a Texas driver's license, you will visit a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person, pass a written test and a driving test, and provide documents that prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number. The whole process takes about four to six weeks from start to finish, though you can get a temporary paper license the day you pass your driving test. Texas does not let you take the written or driving test online — both happen at a DPS office.
You cannot skip the in-person visit or the tests, but you can prepare for both before you go. The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. The driving test lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and tests basic vehicle control, parking, and your ability to follow traffic laws.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS office in person to take a written test and a driving test; neither can be done online or by mail.
- Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a Social Security card or tax document, and two documents that show your current Texas address.
- The written test covers road signs and traffic rules; you can study the official Texas Driver Handbook free on the DPS website before you go.
- You will receive a temporary paper license the day you pass both tests, and your plastic card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
- The total cost is $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license, paid at the DPS office when you take your tests.
Documents you must bring to the DPS office
Texas requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address. You do not need all of these — you need one from each category. Bring originals or certified copies; photocopies alone will not work.
For identity, bring your birth certificate (original or certified copy), passport, or consular report of birth. For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. For address, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days and showing your current name and address. A cell phone bill does not count as proof of address in Texas.
If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport and visa or immigration documents. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
How to prepare for the written test
The written test has 30 questions about Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You must answer at least 21 questions correctly to pass. The test is offered in English and Spanish, and you can request a reader or interpreter if you need one.
The Texas Department of Public Safety publishes the official Texas Driver Handbook free on its website at dps.texas.gov. read it or read it online before your test. The handbook covers everything on the test — there are no trick questions or material outside of it. Many people study for one to two weeks and take practice tests online through third-party websites, though those are not official and may not match the real test exactly.
You can retake the written test if you fail, but you must wait one day before trying again. Each attempt costs $7.
How to prepare for the driving test
The driving test lasts 20 to 30 minutes and takes place on public roads near the DPS office. A DPS examiner sits in the passenger seat and watches you perform basic driving tasks: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and following traffic laws. You must use your own vehicle or borrow one that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The examiner will check the brakes, lights, horn, and windshield wipers before the test starts.
Practice on the types of roads you will drive on during the test — usually residential streets and some busier roads. Focus on smooth stops, proper signaling, staying in your lane, and obeying speed limits. Common reasons people fail include rolling through stop signs, not checking mirrors, improper lane changes, and hitting the curb during parking.
You can retake the driving test if you fail, but you must wait one day before trying again. Each attempt costs $7. If you fail three times, you must wait 30 days before a fourth attempt.
How to schedule your DPS office visit
You can schedule an appointment online at dps.texas.gov or by calling 1-844-DPS-TXDL (1-844-377-8935). Appointments are not required, but they reduce your wait time. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait two to four hours depending on the office and time of day.
Choose an office near you — Texas has DPS locations in every major city and many smaller towns. The website shows hours, which vary by location. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others are open Saturday mornings. Bring all your documents and arrive 15 minutes early.
If you cannot get an appointment within a reasonable time at your nearest office, you can try offices in nearby cities. Some are less busy than others, and you may get an earlier slot.
What happens after you pass your tests
When you pass both the written and driving tests, you pay the license fee ($33 for five years or $66 for eight years) and receive a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and works as your driver's license while you wait for your plastic card.
Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. The DPS will mail it to the address you provided at the office. If you do not receive it within four weeks, contact DPS to check the status.
Your Texas driver's license is valid for five or eight years depending on which you chose. You can renew it online, by mail, or in person starting 60 days before it expires. Renewal is simpler than the first license — you do not take tests again unless you are renewing after a suspension or revocation.
If you already have a license from another state
If you hold a valid driver's license from another state and you move to Texas, you can exchange it for a Texas license without retaking the written and driving tests. You still must visit a DPS office in person and bring your out-of-state license plus proof of Texas residency and identity.
The fee is the same: $33 for five years or $66 for eight years. The process is faster than getting your first license — you usually walk out with a temporary license the same day and receive your permanent card within two to three weeks.
If your out-of-state license is expired, you will need to take the written and driving tests. Some states have reciprocal agreements with Texas that waive the tests for recent residents, but this varies. Ask the DPS office when you call to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test or driving test online?
No. Both tests must be taken in person at a DPS office. Texas does not offer online testing for driver's licenses. You must visit an office, take the written test on a computer or paper form at the office, and take the driving test with an examiner in a vehicle.
What if I fail the written test or driving test?
You can retake either test after waiting one day. Each retake costs $7. If you fail the driving test three times, you must wait 30 days before a fourth attempt. There is no limit on how many times you can retake the written test, but each attempt costs $7.
How long does it take to get my permanent license card?
You receive a temporary paper license the day you pass both tests. Your permanent plastic card arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you do not receive it within four weeks, contact DPS at 1-844-377-8935 to check the status of your process.
Do I need a Social Security number to get a Texas driver's license?
Yes. Texas requires proof of your Social Security number. You can show your Social Security card, a W-2, a 1099, or a tax return. If you do not have a Social Security number, you may be able to get a Texas ID card instead, but you should contact DPS to discuss your situation.
Can I get a license if I was born outside the United States?
Yes. You will need your passport and visa or immigration documents along with the standard identity, Social Security, and address documents. Bring originals or certified copies. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may have restrictions on the type of license you can get — ask DPS when you schedule your appointment.