Where to go for your driver license in Garland
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) runs all driver license services in Garland. You cannot get a license from the city itself — you must visit a DPS office. Garland has one full-service DPS Driver License office located at 2610 West Avenue J, where you can explore for a new license, renew an existing one, or handle most other license transactions.
This office is open Monday through Friday, though hours vary by day. You can find the exact hours on the Texas DPS website by searching for the Garland location, or call the office directly at (469) 326-7386. The office does not take appointments, so you arrive and take a number. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning or mid-week.
If you cannot reach the Garland office or need to know whether it is open on a specific day, the main Texas DPS phone line at 1-888-589-6556 can confirm hours and direct you to the nearest alternative location if needed.
Key Takeaways
- The DPS Driver License office in Garland is at 2610 West Avenue J and is open weekdays only, with no appointments available.
- You will need a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and your Social Security number to explore for or renew a license.
- A new license costs $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license; renewals cost less and depend on how much time remains on your current license.
- You must pass a vision test and written knowledge test to get a new license, but renewals by mail or online do not require these tests.
- Processing takes about two weeks by mail after you leave the office; your temporary paper license is valid during that time.
What documents you need to bring
Texas requires specific documents before the DPS will issue a license. Bring your Social Security number (written down or memorized), a valid form of ID, and proof that you live in Garland. The proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement — it must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 30 days.
For a new license, bring your birth certificate or passport. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport and visa or green card. If you are renewing and your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.
If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, bring them with you — you will take the vision test while wearing them. Bring your current license if you have one, even if it is expired.
The difference between a new license and a renewal
A new license means you are getting a Texas license for the first time, or you are switching from another state's license. You must appear in person, pass a vision test, and pass a written knowledge test about Texas traffic laws. The test has 30 questions and you must answer at least 21 correctly. You can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free on the DPS website.
A renewal means your Texas license is still valid or expired less than two years ago. You do not take any tests. You can renew by mail, online, or in person at the DPS office. Renewing by mail or online is faster and cheaper — you do not need to visit Garland at all. You can renew online at the Texas DPS website if your license is not suspended and you have not had certain violations.
If your license expired more than two years ago, Texas treats it as a new license, not a renewal, and you must take the tests and appear in person.
Cost and how long it takes
A new five-year driver license costs $33. An eight-year license costs $66. A renewal costs less — the fee depends on how much time is left on your current license, but typically ranges from $16 to $33. You can pay by cash, check, or card at the DPS office.
After you pass the tests and pay the fee, the DPS gives you a temporary paper license that is valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail in about two weeks. You can drive legally using the paper license while you wait.
If you renew by mail or online, the timeline is similar — your new license arrives within two to three weeks of the DPS receiving your process.
What to expect during your visit
Arrive at the DPS office with all your documents. You will take a number and wait to be called. When called, a clerk will check your documents, take your photo, and collect your fee. You will then move to another station for the vision test — read lines on a chart to show you can see well enough to drive safely.
If you are getting a new license, you will take the written knowledge test at a computer terminal in the office. You have 30 minutes to answer 30 questions about Texas traffic laws, right-of-way, speed limits, and safe driving. You must score at least 70 percent. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at no extra cost, though you may wait longer.
Once you pass everything, you are done. The DPS will mail your license to the address on your process. Keep your temporary paper license safe — you need it to drive until the plastic one arrives.
If your license is suspended or revoked
If your Texas license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it at the DPS office in Garland. You must first clear the suspension or revocation through the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation (ALR) program or the court system, depending on why it was suspended. This usually involves paying a reinstatement fee and meeting other requirements.
Contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to find out the reason for the suspension and what steps you need to take. The DPS can tell you the exact fee and process. Only after the suspension is lifted can you renew or get a new license.
Renewing by mail or online instead of visiting Garland
If your license is valid or expired less than two years ago, you do not have to visit the Garland office. You can renew online through the Texas DPS website — the process takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method.
You can also renew by mail by downloading the process from the DPS website, filling it out, and mailing it with a check and a copy of your current license. Mail renewals take longer than online renewals because of postal delays, so online is faster if you have internet access.
Both online and mail renewals are only for people whose licenses are not suspended, who have not had certain traffic violations, and who do not need to change their address or name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a license if I do not have a Social Security number?
No. Texas requires a valid Social Security number to issue a driver license. If you do not have one, you must explore for one through the Social Security Administration before you can get a Texas license. You can start that process at ssa.gov or by visiting a local Social Security office.
What if I lost my license or it was stolen?
You can replace it at the DPS office in Garland. Bring your ID and proof of residency as if you were renewing. If your license was stolen, you may want to report it to the police first, though it is not required. A replacement costs the same as a renewal.
Do I need an appointment to visit the Garland DPS office?
No. The office operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You arrive, take a number, and wait. There is no way to book an appointment ahead of time. Arriving early in the morning or on a Tuesday or Wednesday typically means shorter waits than afternoons or Fridays.
Can I take the written test in a language other than English?
Yes. The Texas DPS offers the written knowledge test in Spanish and several other languages. Tell the clerk when you arrive that you need the test in a different language, and they will set it up for you at no extra cost.
What if I fail the written test?
You can retake it when ready at the same office at no extra charge. You do not have to pay the license fee again. Most people who fail can retake it within an hour. You can study the Texas Driver Handbook between attempts.