Texas Driver's License
Requirements
In Texas, driver's licenses are issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — through its Driver License Division. The standard Texas non-commercial credential is a Class C Driver License (good for vehicles under 26,000 lbs). Texas also issues Class M (motorcycle) and Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL Classes A and B). The state operates a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program for drivers under 18 with three phases: a Learner License at 15 (with driver education enrollment), a Provisional License at 16–17 with passenger and nighttime restrictions, and a full Class C License at 18. Texas requires every first-time applicant under 25 to complete a state-approved driver education course (classroom + behind-the-wheel). Drivers 18–24 take the abbreviated 6-hour Adult Driver Education course. All teen applicants must also watch the free 1-hour ITTD (Impact Texas Teen Drivers) video within 90 days before their road test. Texas issues REAL ID-compliant licenses by default — every new Class C card features a gold star and is valid for domestic flights and federal facilities.
Requirements Overview
You must be a Texas resident to obtain a Texas driver's license. The DPS requires two documents proving your current Texas address; P.O. boxes are not accepted as residency proof. New residents from another state have 90 days to transfer their out-of-state license. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for a standard Texas driver's license — Texas does not issue licenses without proof of lawful presence (unlike some other states).
Required Documents
Bring original documents only — photocopies are not accepted. Verify the complete current list at the official Texas DMV website.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence (U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or permanent resident card)
- Proof of identity (the same primary document, plus a secondary if needed under DPS's Verification of Identity process)
- Social Security number — your SSN card, W-2, or paystub showing the full SSN; or proof of ineligibility
- Two proofs of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, current Texas vehicle registration, voter card, bank statement — must show your name and current Texas address)
- Proof of vehicle registration and liability insurance for the vehicle you will use for the road test
- Parental consent on Form DL-14A (or DL-91A if under 18) — parent/guardian must sign in person at the DPS office
- Proof of school attendance and good standing (Form VOE — Verification of Enrollment) — required for applicants under 18
- Proof of completion of an approved driver education course (under 25)
- Proof of Impact Texas Drivers (ITD/ITTD) course completion — required within 90 days of road test
Fees & Costs
Fees change frequently. Always verify the current fee at the official Texas DMV website before your visit.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to get your Texas driver's license. Steps may vary based on your age and residency status — always confirm with the official DMV.
Study the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7)
Download the official Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) from dps.texas.gov. The written knowledge test is 30 questions; you need 70% (21 correct) to pass. Topics include traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and Texas-specific laws — including the Move Over/Slow Down law for emergency vehicles and the state's zero-tolerance DUI law for drivers under 21.
Pro tip: The DPS publishes free practice tests online — take them several times until you consistently score 90% or higher before booking your real test.
Complete a Driver Education Course (Under 25)
Texas requires every applicant under 25 to complete a state-approved driver education course before getting a license. Under 18: 32-hour teen course (classroom + 7 hours behind-the-wheel + 7 hours observation). Ages 18–24: the abbreviated 6-hour Adult Driver Education course. Courses are TDLR-approved and offered by public high schools (often free) and licensed driving schools ($200–$500). Applicants 25 and older are exempt.
Pro tip: Public Texas high school driver's ed is by far the cheapest option — often free or under $50. Private commercial driving schools offer more flexibility (online + weekends) but cost $200–$500.
Obtain a Learner License (Instruction Permit) — Age 15+
Visit any Texas DPS Driver License office with your identity, citizenship, SSN, and Texas residency documents — plus your VOE (Verification of Enrollment) form and parental consent if under 18. Pass a vision screening (20/40 in at least one eye) and the 30-question written knowledge test. The Learner License costs $16 and you must hold it for at least 6 months before applying for the Provisional License.
Pro tip: Use the DPS pre-application portal at txapps.texas.gov to fill out forms online before your visit — it can cut your wait time at the office in half.
Complete 30 Hours of Supervised Practice Driving
Texas requires 30 hours of supervised practice driving — including at least 10 hours at night — for applicants under 18. All practice must be with a licensed driver age 21 or older sitting in the front passenger seat. The hours are logged on Form DL-90A and must be certified by a parent or guardian. Practice in varied conditions: highways, city streets, rain, and at night.
Watch the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD/ITTD) Video
Within 90 days before your driving skills test, you must complete the free 1-hour Impact Texas Drivers video — Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) for applicants under 18, or Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) for adults 18–24. The video covers distracted driving and was created in response to texting-while-driving fatalities. Print the certificate of completion and bring it to your road test.
Pro tip: You can stream the ITTD/ITYD video for free at the DPS website — no signup required. Watch it shortly before your road test so the 90-day window doesn't expire.
Pass the Driving Skills Test
Schedule and pass the driving skills test at a Texas DPS Driver License office or a state-approved third-party testing school. The 20-minute test includes vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, lane changes, intersection navigation, three-point turns, and parallel parking (some locations). You bring your own vehicle — it must be properly registered and insured. Texas DPS appointments can be booked at txdpsscheduler.com — popular locations book 2–4 weeks in advance.
Pro tip: State-approved third-party testing schools (often the same school you took driver's ed at) administer the same test as DPS but typically have shorter wait times. Worth the slightly higher fee if your local DPS office is heavily booked.
Apply, Pay, and Receive Your Texas Driver License
After passing, return to the DPS office (or stay there if testing on-site), present all required documents, pass the vision screening, have your photo taken, and pay the license fee ($16 if under 18, $33 if 18+). Applicants under 18 receive a Provisional License with restrictions: no driving 12 a.m.–5 a.m. (with limited exceptions), no more than 1 passenger under 21 (other than family), and no cell phone or wireless device use while driving (under 18). Restrictions are lifted on the driver's 18th birthday. Your physical card is mailed within 2–3 weeks; you receive a paper temporary in the meantime.
Pro tip: Bring original documents only — photocopies, scans, and laminated cards are not accepted by Texas DPS, especially for REAL ID issuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must be at least 16 years old to receive a Provisional License (Class C) — and you must have completed driver education, held a Learner License for at least 6 months, logged 30 hours of supervised practice, and watched the ITTD video. The Learner License (instruction permit) is available at age 15 if enrolled in driver education. A full unrestricted Class C License is issued at age 18.
Ready to Apply?
Visit the official Texas DMV to start your application with the correct, up-to-date requirements.
This website is not affiliated with any government agency or DMV office. Information is for general guidance only. Always verify current requirements directly with your state's official DMV website before taking action.