Where to go for your driver's license in Lubbock

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) runs the driver's license system in Texas. In Lubbock, you get your license at the DPS Driver License Division office, located at 1313 Texas Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79401. This is the only place in Lubbock where you can take the written test, vision test, and photo for a new license or renewal.

The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours vary by day — typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you should call ahead at (806) 747-2151 to confirm current hours before you go, since DPS sometimes adjusts schedules. The office is closed on state holidays and occasionally for staff training.

You cannot renew your license online in Texas if you need a new photo or if your license has been expired for more than two years. Online renewal is only available for certain renewals without a new photo, and even then you must have a valid Texas license already. Most people in Lubbock will need to visit the office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • The DPS Driver License Division office at 1313 Texas Avenue is the only place in Lubbock to get a new license or renew one in person.
  • You need a Social Security number, proof of Texas residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport) before you go.
  • Bring your current license if you have one, because it makes the process faster and can reduce the documents you need to show.
  • The office does not take appointments, so you arrive and wait; going early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits than afternoons or Fridays.
  • A new license costs money, and the fee varies depending on whether you are getting a standard license, a Real ID, or a commercial license.

Documents you need to bring

Texas requires you to prove three things: your identity, your Social Security number, and your Texas residency. You do not need all three from one document — you can mix and match, but you must cover all three categories.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a passport card, a military ID, or a foreign passport with a visa. If you are renewing and your current Texas license is not expired, you can use that as your identity document.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a pay stub with your full Social Security number on it. A tax return works too.

For proof of Texas residency, bring a recent utility bill, a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government document (like a voter registration card) with your current address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 90 days. A utility bill is the easiest option because it is dated and shows your address clearly.

If you are renewing and your current license is still valid, bring it — it counts as both identity and proof that you already have a Texas license, which can streamline the process.

What the written and vision tests cover

If you are getting a license for the first time or your license has been expired for more than two years, 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 in English or Spanish.

The DPS provides a free study guide called the Texas Driver Handbook, available on the DPS website and in print at the Lubbock office. Most of the test covers basic rules: speed limits, right-of-way, what different signs mean, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs. You can study the handbook for a few hours and be ready.

You will also take a vision test at the office. The test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them — you will wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you cannot get a license that day, but you can return after you see an eye doctor and get a corrective lens prescription.

If you are renewing a license that is still valid and you do not need a new photo, you may not have to take either test. Ask the staff when you arrive whether your renewal requires testing.

Fees and license types

A standard Texas driver's license costs money, and the amount depends on how long you want the license to last. A four-year license costs less than an eight-year license. Prices change occasionally, so call the Lubbock office at (806) 747-2151 to ask the current fee before you go.

A Real ID is a federal standard that makes your license acceptable for flying domestically and entering federal buildings. It costs more than a standard license but is required if you want to use your driver's license to board a plane after the federal important date. Real ID requires one extra document — either a birth certificate or passport — but the Lubbock office can process it the same day.

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is for people who drive trucks or buses for work. It requires additional testing and costs more. If you need a CDL, the Lubbock office can tell you what extra steps are involved.

Payment methods at the Lubbock office include cash, check, and card. Ask when you call whether they accept all three, since payment methods can change.

How long the process takes and what to expect on the day

The Lubbock DPS office does not take appointments. You walk in, take a number, and wait. Wait times vary widely depending on the day and time. Early mornings (right when the office opens) and mid-week days (Tuesday through Thursday) usually have shorter waits. Fridays and afternoons tend to be busier.

The entire process — checking in, taking the written test if required, taking the vision test, having your photo taken, and paying — usually takes 30 minutes to an hour if you have all your documents and pass the tests on the first try. If the office is very busy, it can take longer.

Your new license is printed on the spot. You walk out with it the same day. If you are renewing by mail (which is only available in certain cases), you would receive it by mail within two weeks, but most people in Lubbock will get it in person at the office.

What happens if you fail the test or do not have the right documents

If you fail the written test, you can take it again the same day at no extra charge. Most people pass on the second try after studying the handbook for a few more minutes in the waiting area.

If you fail the vision test, you cannot get a license that day. You must see an eye doctor, get a corrective lens prescription if you need one, and return to the office with proof from the eye doctor. Bring the prescription or a letter from the eye doctor stating that your vision meets the standard for driving.

If you do not have all the required documents, the staff will tell you what is missing. You can go home, gather the missing documents, and return. There is no penalty for coming back — you just start over in the queue.

Renewing your license by mail or online

Texas allows some people to renew their license without going to the office. You can renew by mail if your current license is still valid, you do not need a new photo, and you have not had any major changes to your address or name. The renewal by mail takes about two weeks.

You can renew online through the Texas DPS website if you meet the same conditions. Online renewal is faster — you get your new license within days — but it is only available if your current license is valid and you do not need a new photo.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to the Lubbock office in person and take the written and vision tests again, just as if you were getting a license for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than two years ago?

No, not by mail or online. You must go to the Lubbock DPS office in person, bring all required documents, and take the written and vision tests again. Bring your expired license anyway — it helps the staff process your process faster.

Do I need a Real ID to fly from Lubbock?

A Real ID is required to board a domestic flight using your driver's license as your ID. You can also use a passport instead. If you want a Real ID, tell the staff at the Lubbock office when you explore, and bring an extra identity document like a birth certificate or passport.

What if I moved to Lubbock from another state?

You must get a Texas license within 60 days of moving to the state. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Texas residency (like a lease or utility bill), and your Social Security number proof. The Lubbock office will process it as a new license, not a transfer.

Can I take the written test in Spanish?

Yes. The Texas Driver Handbook and the written test are both available in Spanish at the Lubbock DPS office. Tell the staff when you check in that you want to take the test in Spanish.

What if I lost my license or it was stolen?

Go to the Lubbock DPS office and report it. You can get a replacement license the same day. Bring your identity documents and proof of residency, just as you would for a renewal. There is a fee for a replacement, which is usually less than a full renewal.