What you need to bring and where to go
To get a Texas driver's license, you visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office in person with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You cannot do this by mail or online. The DPS website lists every office location and their hours — most are open Monday through Friday, some on Saturday mornings, and a few stay open into the evening.
Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies. A passport, birth certificate, or military ID works for identity. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current Texas address. For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get a license — bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access.
You will also need to pay the fee. A five-year license costs around $25 to $30, and an eight-year license (available only to drivers 18 and older) costs more. Exact amounts vary slightly by office location. Bring cash, debit, or credit card — most offices take all three.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS driver license office in person with original documents proving your identity, Texas residency, and Social Security number.
- The DPS website shows every office location and hours, so you can find one near you and check whether you need an appointment.
- You will take a written test on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving test before the license is issued.
- A five-year license costs $25 to $30; an eight-year license costs more and is only for drivers 18 and older.
- If you already have a valid out-of-state license, you may not need to take the driving test again, depending on how long you have held it.
The written test and what it covers
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 need to answer at least 21 correctly to pass. You can take it on a computer at the DPS office, and you get your score when ready.
The test covers speed limits, right-of-way rules, what different road signs mean, parking laws, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs. It also asks about seat belts, following distance, and what to do if a police officer pulls you over. You can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which the DPS publishes free online. Many people read through it once or twice before the test and pass without trouble.
If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day at most offices, though some require you to wait a few hours or come back another day. There is usually a small fee to retake it.
The vision test and driving test
After you pass the written test, you take a vision test. You read letters and numbers on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them — the test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely with or without correction. If you cannot pass the vision test even with glasses, you cannot get a license.
Next comes the driving test. A DPS examiner sits in the car with you and watches you drive for about 10 to 15 minutes. You will be asked to do things like pull into a parking space, back up, turn corners, stop at a stop sign, and merge into traffic if there is an opportunity. The examiner is looking for safe driving — smooth steering, proper use of mirrors, correct signaling, and following traffic laws.
If you already hold a valid driver's license from another state and have held it for at least one year, you may not have to take the driving test. You will still take the written and vision tests. If your out-of-state license is less than one year old, you must take the driving test.
Bringing a vehicle and scheduling your test
You need to bring a vehicle to the DPS office for the driving test. It must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition — the examiner will check that the brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and horn all work. You cannot use a vehicle with a "For Sale" sign on it or one that belongs to the DPS office itself.
Some DPS offices require you to make an appointment for the driving test, while others take walk-ins. Check the DPS website or call your local office before you go. If appointments are required and the office is booked out, you may have to wait days or weeks. During busy times of year, this can mean a long wait.
If you fail the driving test, you can retake it, but there is usually a waiting period — often a few days to a week — before you can schedule another one. You will have to pay the test fee again.
Getting your license after you pass
If you pass all three tests, the DPS office will issue your license on the spot. You will get a temporary paper license that day, valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you. The plastic card usually arrives within two to three weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods.
Your license will show your name, date of birth, address, and a photo taken at the office. It will also show any restrictions — for example, if you must wear glasses while driving, that will be noted on the license. If you fail to follow a restriction, you can be cited by police.
Keep your temporary paper license until the plastic card arrives. If the plastic card does not arrive within a month, contact the DPS to report it missing.
Renewing or replacing a license you already have
If you already have a Texas driver's license and it is expiring soon, you can renew it without retaking the tests. You can renew online through the DPS website if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not had any major changes to your information. Online renewal takes a few minutes and costs less than getting a new license in person.
If you cannot renew online — for example, if your address has changed or your license is suspended — you must go to a DPS office in person. Bring the same documents you would bring for a new license: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You will not retake the written or driving test, but you will have a new photo taken.
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at a DPS office. Bring your documents and pay the replacement fee, which is usually lower than the cost of a new license.
Special situations: Minors, commercial licenses, and endorsements
If you are under 18, you must have a learner's permit first. You get a learner's permit by passing the written test and vision test at a DPS office. With a learner's permit, you can drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. You must hold the permit for at least six months before you can take the driving test for a full license. Minors also have restrictions on when they can drive — for example, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless it is for work or school.
If you want to drive a commercial truck or bus, you need a commercial driver's license (CDL). The requirements are more strict: you must pass additional written tests, a longer driving test, and a medical examination. You also need to hold a regular driver's license first.
If you want to drive a motorcycle, you need a motorcycle endorsement on your license. You take a separate written test and a riding test on a motorcycle. Some people take a motorcycle safety course, which can waive the riding test at some DPS offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test online before I go to the DPS office?
No. You must take the written test at a DPS driver license office on a computer there. However, you can study the Texas Driver Handbook online for free before you go, and many people do this to prepare.
What happens if I fail the driving test?
You can retake it, but there is usually a waiting period of a few days to a week before you can schedule another test. You will pay the test fee again. Most people pass on the second or third try.
Do I need to take the driving test if I already have a license from another state?
Not if you have held that license for at least one year. You will still take the written and vision tests. If your out-of-state license is less than one year old, you must take the driving test.
How long does it take to get my plastic license card after I pass?
You get a temporary paper license the day you pass, valid for 30 days. The plastic card is mailed to you and usually arrives within two to three weeks, though it can take longer during busy times.
Can I renew my license online?
Yes, if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not had major changes to your information. You can renew online through the DPS website. If you cannot renew online, you must go to a DPS office in person.