Documents you'll bring to the DPS office
To get a Texas driver's license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number to your local Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. The state has a specific list of documents it accepts for each category, and you cannot substitute one document for another — you need at least one from each group.
Bring your documents in person. You cannot mail them in or submit them online. The DPS office will make copies and return your originals to you, except for your Social Security card, which they will not return — bring a copy instead if you want to keep the original.
Key Takeaways
- You need one document proving your identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID), one proving you live in Texas (utility bill or lease), and one proving your Social Security number (Social Security card or tax return).
- You must visit a DPS office in person with your original documents; you cannot mail in your process or use a third-party service.
- The written test covers Texas traffic laws and road signs, and you can study using the free Texas Driver Handbook available on the DPS website.
- The vision test measures whether you can see well enough to drive safely; if you wear glasses or contacts, bring them to your appointment.
- The road test happens after you pass the written and vision tests, and you must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in working condition.
Proof of identity documents the DPS accepts
Your identity document must show your name, date of birth, and a photo. The DPS accepts a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID card, a permanent resident card (green card), a visa, or a tribal ID card. If you have a passport, that is usually the fastest option because it covers identity, residency, and citizenship in one document.
A certified birth certificate means one issued by the vital statistics office in the state or country where you were born, not a photocopy or a hospital record. If you were born outside the United States, your birth certificate must be certified by the government that issued it. You can order a certified copy from the vital statistics office in your birth state or country; this usually takes one to three weeks.
Proof of residency in Texas
Your residency document must show your name and your current Texas address. The DPS accepts a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a homeowners insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement. The document must be dated within the last 90 days.
If you have just moved to Texas or do not have a utility bill in your name yet, a lease or rental agreement works if it shows your name and the address where you currently live. If you live with family or a roommate and cannot get a document in your name, ask the person whose name is on the utility bill to bring that bill with you to the DPS office — they do not have to be present, but the bill must show your address.
Proof of Social Security number
Bring your Social Security card itself, or bring a document that shows your full Social Security number. The DPS accepts a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a paystub, or a benefit statement from Social Security, Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board. The document must show your full nine-digit number.
If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get a driver's license, but you will need to bring additional documents and complete extra steps. Contact your local DPS office to ask what documents they need from you; the requirements are different for people without a Social Security number.
The written test and vision screening
After you submit your documents, you will take a written test on Texas traffic laws and road signs. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass. You can take the test in English or Spanish. The DPS provides a free study guide called the Texas Driver Handbook on its website; you can read it online or read it as a PDF.
You will also have a vision screening at the DPS office. An employee will check whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them or bring them to your appointment. If you fail the vision screening, you may need to see an eye doctor and bring a vision correction certificate to the DPS office before you can get your license.
The road test and vehicle requirements
After you pass the written and vision tests, you will take a road test with a DPS examiner. The examiner will sit in your vehicle while you drive and will score you on your ability to control the car, follow traffic laws, and respond to road conditions. The test usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
You must bring a vehicle that is registered in Texas, has current liability insurance, and is in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working brakes, steering, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors. If the vehicle does not meet these requirements, the examiner will not let you take the test and you will have to reschedule. Bring proof of registration and proof of insurance with you.
Fees and how long it takes
A Texas driver's license costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. You pay this fee at the DPS office when you explore. You can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. Some offices also accept checks.
The entire process — documents, written test, vision screening, and road test — usually takes two to four hours on the day of your appointment. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot if you pass all tests. Your plastic license card will arrive in the mail within one to two weeks. Wait times at DPS offices vary by location and time of day; calling ahead or checking the DPS website for your local office's current wait time can help you plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test in a language other than English or Spanish?
No. The DPS offers the written test in English and Spanish only. If you need help understanding the questions, you can bring an interpreter to the DPS office, but the interpreter cannot answer the questions for you — they can only translate what the test says.
What happens if I fail the written test or road test?
If you fail the written test, you can take it again the same day or come back another day. If you fail the road test, you must wait at least one day before you can retake it. You do not have to pay the fee again. You can take the road test up to three times within a 12-month period; after that, you must start the process over.
Do I need a Social Security number to get a Texas driver's license?
No, but if you do not have one, you will need to bring extra documents and follow a different process. Contact your local DPS office to find out what documents they need from you. You can also call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to ask about requirements for people without a Social Security number.
Can someone else pick up my plastic license card from the DPS office?
No. Your plastic license card will be mailed to the address you provided at the DPS office. You cannot pick it up in person or have someone else collect it for you. If your address changes before the card arrives, contact the DPS to update it so the card goes to the correct location.