Get your learner's permit at the Texas Department of Public Safety office in Amarillo

In Amarillo, you obtain a learner's permit at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Division. The office is located at 3502 Olsen Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79109. This is the only location in Amarillo where you can take the written knowledge test and receive your permit on the same day.

You cannot get a learner's permit online or by mail in Texas. You must appear in person at a DPS office with the required documents. The Amarillo location serves Potter County and surrounding areas, so if you live outside the city limits, this is still your nearest option unless you are willing to drive to another region.

Key Takeaways

  • The DPS Driver License Division at 3502 Olsen Boulevard in Amarillo is where you take the written test and receive your learner's permit the same day.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Texas residency — originals or certified copies, not photos.
  • The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices; you can study using the Texas Driver Handbook available free online.
  • Office hours and wait times vary by day and season, so arriving early in the morning on a weekday typically means shorter waits.
  • Your learner's permit is valid for one year and allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old.

What documents you need to bring

Texas requires specific documents to prove your identity, Social Security number, and residency. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. A photo ID is not enough on its own; you need the full set.

For proof of identity, bring a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a state ID from another state. For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. For proof of Texas residency, bring a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government document showing your Amarillo address. The residency document must be dated within the last 90 days.

If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian with you. They must sign the process in person. If you are 18 or older, you can explore alone.

The written knowledge test and what it covers

The written test has 30 multiple-choice questions about Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 21 questions correctly to pass. The test takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

You can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free and available on the Texas DPS website. The handbook covers everything the test asks about: speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking, pedestrian safety, and what different road signs mean. Many people study the handbook for a few hours or a few days before taking the test. There is no waiting period between studying and testing — you can take the test the same day you arrive at the DPS office.

If you do not pass, you can retake the test the same day or come back another day. There is no fee to retake the test, though you will need to pay the permit fee again if you want to receive a new permit after passing.

Cost and how long your permit lasts

A learner's permit costs $16 in Texas. You pay this fee when you pass the written test and receive your permit. Payment is cash or card.

Your learner's permit is valid for one year from the date you receive it. After one year, it expires and you cannot drive on it anymore. If you turn 18 while holding a learner's permit, the permit remains valid until its expiration date — you do not need to renew it early.

When you are ready to take the driving test and get your full driver's license, you will return to the same DPS office in Amarillo. The driving test is a separate appointment and has its own fee.

DPS office hours and how to avoid long waits

The Amarillo DPS office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. Wait times are longest on Fridays and shortest on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. If you arrive at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you will likely be seen within 30 minutes to an hour.

The office does not take appointments for learner's permit tests, so you arrive and take a number. During busy seasons — late spring and summer, when many teenagers turn 16 — waits can stretch to two or three hours even in the morning. If you can go on a weekday morning, do so.

Bring all your documents in a folder or envelope so they are straightforward to hand over. Have your Social Security number memorized or written down. Wear clothes you can sit in comfortably for a while, because you may wait before being called.

What happens after you pass and get your permit

Once you pass the written test, you receive a paper learner's permit that day. This permit allows you to drive only when a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old is in the front passenger seat with you. You cannot drive alone, and you cannot drive with only teenage passengers.

Your learner's permit has restrictions on when you can drive. If you are under 18, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. You must follow all traffic laws, speed limits, and road signs just as a licensed driver would.

Keep your permit with you every time you drive. If you are stopped by police, you must show your permit and the adult supervisor's driver's license. Driving without your permit or without a licensed adult present can result in a ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a learner's permit if I am under 16?

Texas allows you to get a learner's permit at age 14. You must still bring a parent or legal guardian to sign the process in person, and all other requirements are the same. The permit rules about supervised driving and time restrictions explore to you as well.

What if I fail the written test?

You can retake the test the same day at the Amarillo DPS office, or you can come back another day. There is no fee to retake the test itself, but if you want a new permit card after you pass, you pay the $16 fee again.

Do I need to make an appointment at the Amarillo DPS office?

No. The DPS office does not take appointments for learner's permit tests. You arrive during business hours, take a number, and wait to be called. Arriving early on a weekday morning typically means a shorter wait.

Can I use an expired ID as proof of identity?

Yes, an expired ID is still accepted as proof of identity. It must be an original document, not a photocopy. Bring it along with your other required documents.

What if I move after I get my learner's permit?

Your learner's permit remains valid even if you move to a different city or county in Texas. You do not need to update it unless the address on it is wrong. When you take your driving test for a full license, you can do so at any DPS office in Texas, not just the Amarillo location.