What You Need to Do to Get a Texas Driver License or ID Card

To get an original Texas driver license or identification card, you visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person, bring specific documents, pass a written test and vision screening, and have your photo taken. The whole process takes about 30 to 45 minutes at the office. You cannot do this by mail or online — Texas requires you to appear in person for your first license or ID card.

The main difference between the two: a driver license lets you operate a vehicle and serves as ID, while an identification card is for people who do not drive but need a state-issued photo ID. Both cost the same and follow the same process steps. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must come with you.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a DPS office in person with original documents proving your identity, residency, and Social Security number — copies are not accepted for your first license or ID.
  • The written test covers Texas traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the free Texas Driver Handbook available on the DPS website before you go.
  • Minors under 18 need a parent or legal guardian present, and the process includes restrictions on who can ride with them and when they can drive.
  • Processing takes about 30 to 45 minutes at the office, and your temporary paper license is valid when ready while the plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • If you were born outside the United States, you will need a birth certificate, passport, or visa in addition to the standard documents.

Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office

Bring originals, not copies. The DPS will not accept photocopies for your first process. You need three types of documents: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a visa, a foreign passport, a military ID, or a consular report of birth. If you were born in Texas, a certified copy from the Texas Vital Statistics office works. If you were born outside Texas or outside the U.S., bring the document that shows your legal name and date of birth.

For proof of residency, bring one document showing your current Texas address from the past 90 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank statement, or a government check. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you live with someone else, that person can provide the residency document and sign a statement saying you live there.

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

What Happens at the DPS Office: The Step-by-Step Process

When you arrive, you will check in and wait to be called. Bring all your documents in one folder so you can hand them over quickly. The DPS employee will review your documents, ask you questions to verify the information, and enter your details into the system.

Next, you take the written test. The 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 in English, but if you need it in another language, ask at check-in — Spanish is available. You can study for free using the Texas Driver Handbook, which the DPS publishes online.

After you pass the written test, you go to the vision screening station. An employee will check your eyesight using a machine. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision screening, you cannot get your license that day and will need to see an eye doctor, get a corrective lens prescription, and return to the DPS office.

Finally, you have your photo taken. Wear something you are comfortable being photographed in — the photo will be on your license for several years. You will see the photo on the screen and can ask for a retake if you want one. Then you pay the fee and receive a temporary paper license valid when ready. Your plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Fees and How Long Everything Takes

An original driver license costs $33 and is valid for four years. An original identification card also costs $33 and is valid for six years. You pay at the DPS office before you leave. The office does not accept personal checks — bring cash, a debit card, or a credit card.

The entire visit takes 30 to 45 minutes on average, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Weekday mornings are usually less crowded than afternoons or weekends. You can check wait times for your local DPS office on the Texas DPS website before you go.

Your temporary paper license is valid the moment you receive it and works for driving, voting, and other purposes. Your permanent plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If your card does not arrive within two weeks, contact the DPS office where you applied.

Special Rules for Drivers Under 18

If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must come with you to the DPS office. They must bring their own photo ID and sign the process. The DPS will not issue a license to a minor without a parent or guardian present.

Texas also has a graduated licensing system for drivers under 18. When you first get your license, you receive a learner license, which allows you to drive only with a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front seat. After holding your learner license for at least six months and staying violation-free, you can return to the DPS office to upgrade to a restricted license. A restricted license lets you drive alone during the day but requires a licensed adult in the car after 9 p.m. until you turn 18.

These restrictions exist to reduce accidents among teenage drivers. If you get a ticket or are involved in an accident while on a learner or restricted license, the DPS may suspend your license or extend the restrictions.

If You Were Born Outside the United States

You can get a Texas driver license or ID card if you are a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or have a valid visa. You will need to bring additional documents beyond the standard three categories.

Bring your birth certificate (certified copy), your U.S. passport, your visa, or your foreign passport — whichever proves your legal status and identity. If you are a lawful permanent resident, bring your green card or a copy of your I-797 approval notice. If you have a visa, bring the visa itself or a copy of the visa page in your passport.

The DPS will verify your immigration status with federal databases. This verification can take a few extra minutes, but it does not delay your process. You will still receive your temporary paper license the same day and your plastic card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

What to Do If You Fail the Written Test or Vision Screening

If you fail the written test, you can take it again the same day at most DPS offices. You do not have to reschedule or come back another time. Ask the employee if you can retake the test when ready. You can take the test up to three times in one visit. If you fail all three times, you will need to return on another day.

If you fail the vision screening, you cannot get your license that day. You will need to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist, get a corrective lens prescription if needed, and return to the DPS office with proof of your eye exam. Bring the eye doctor's report or a corrective lens prescription. The DPS will not accept a prescription older than 12 months.

You do not have to pay again if you return after failing the vision test — your fee from the first visit covers the second visit. Bring your temporary paper receipt from your first visit so the DPS can pull up your file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an appointment at the DPS office, or do I just walk in?

Most DPS offices accept walk-ins, but many also offer online appointment scheduling through the Texas DPS website. Scheduling an appointment can reduce your wait time, especially during busy hours. Check your local office's website to see if appointments are available in your area. Walk-ins are always welcome, but you may wait longer during peak times.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still get a Texas identification card. Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number. The DPS will issue you an ID card without one. A driver license requires a Social Security number, so you would only be able to get the ID card option.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card itself, or can I bring something else?

You do not have to bring your Social Security card. A W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement from the Social Security Administration all work. If you have your card, bringing it is the fastest option because the DPS can verify it on the spot.

What happens if I move before my plastic card arrives?

Your card will be mailed to the address you provided at the DPS office. If you move before it arrives, contact the DPS office where you applied and give them your new address. They can update your mailing address in the system. Do not ignore mail from the DPS — your card may be returned to them if the address is wrong.

Can someone else pick up my plastic card from the DPS office if I do not want to wait for mail?

No. Texas mails all plastic licenses and ID cards directly to the address on file. You cannot pick up your card at the DPS office. The card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Your temporary paper license is valid during this time for all purposes.