- HOLD A LEARNER LICENSE FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHSThe same is true about a hardship license if you possess one. You should also reach the age of 16 before you apply.
- COMPLETE YOUR DRIVER EDUCATION COURSEYou must finish both the classroom and behind-the-wheel portions of driver education. You can complete it at your public school, driver training school or take a parent-taught driver education course (PTDE). Check here all driver education options.
- FINISH IMPACT TEXAS TEEN DRIVERS (ITTD) COURSEIt is a free, 2 hour informational video that shares the dangers of distracted driving. You must watch it after having completed a driver education course. Your certificate of ITTD course completion will be valid for 90 days. If you don't pass your driving skills exam within these 90 days, you'll have to take the ITTD course again.
- SCHEDULE YOUR DRIVING TESTYou can schedule the test online at all driver license offices. To locate a nearby office, use this map. Alternatively, you can schedule a driving test appointment with an authorized Commercial Driver Education school ( also known as a third party skills testing (TPST) school). Additional fees apply.
- COLLECT DOCUMENTATION FOR YOUR TESTMake sure you bring the following:
- Your Texas learner license
- Texas Driver Education Certificate (DE-964) or Parent Taught Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90B)
- A valid ITTD (Impact Texas Teen Drivers) completion certificate
- a Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form obtained from your school, or high school diploma, or GED
- Proof of current liability insurance (in paper format) for the vehicle to be used for the road test
- BRING A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
- PAY THE FEE OF $ 17.00If you have already paid, bring the receipt. Remember that payment is good for only 90 days.
- TAKE YOUR DRIVING TESTIf you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, your application will be held for 90 days. After 90 days or three failed exams, a new application and fee will be required.If you take and pass the driving exam through an approved TPST school, you must present the sealed envelope prepared by the school for the exam to be waived at the driver license office.
- GET YOUR TEMPORARY LICENSEYou may use your temporary license for 45 days or until you receive your permanent license in the mail. If you do not receive your license in 45 days, contact the customer service center.
- Getting A Texas Drivers License Military
- Getting A Texas Driver's License Online
- Getting A Texas Drivers License After Moving
- Age To Get A Texas Drivers License
Getting your driver license in Texas as a new resident requires three main steps: Get an official state vehicle safety inspection - at one of these places. Get your car registered in Texas - at your county tax office. Surrender your old driver license and apply for a Texas license - at your local DPS. The course can be completed online or at a brick-and-mortar driving school. While teens applying for a Texas driver license have to hold a learner permit and complete behind-the-wheel training, none of that is required for people age 18 and older. In summary: Getting your Texas driver license as an adult is much simpler.
Getting A Texas Drivers License Military
Moving to Texas
The following information applies to individuals who are transferring a valid out of state driver license and/or applying for a new Texas driver license/identification (ID) card. Select the following link for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas driver license.
Transferring an Out of State Driver License to Texas
New Texas residents can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or qualifying country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas.
Prior to the end of the 90 day grace period, a new Texas resident must apply for a Texas license in person at any driver license office to continue to drive legally. When applying for the new Texas license the individual must surrender any unexpired driver license in their possession from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or a Canadian province.
For more information on general reciprocal driving provisions, please review the Driving Privilege Reciprocity page.
Adults (18 and Older)
Applicants who have a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or from Canada must surrender their out of state/country driver license and are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams. Texas also has license issuance reciprocity with France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan only. Applicants who have a valid, unexpired driver license from one of these countries are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams if they surrender their out of country driver license. However, if the applicant does not wish to surrender their out of country driver license, they must take and pass all required exams. The reciprocity only applies to passenger vehicles, not commercial vehicles or motorcycles. Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish will need to have a translation service or their consulate translate the information on the driver license prior to arriving. This translation requirement also applies for marriage licenses.
Applicants who have a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or from Canada must surrender their out of state/country driver license and are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams. Texas also has license issuance reciprocity with France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan only. Applicants who have a valid, unexpired driver license from one of these countries are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams if they surrender their out of country driver license. However, if the applicant does not wish to surrender their out of country driver license, they must take and pass all required exams. The reciprocity only applies to passenger vehicles, not commercial vehicles or motorcycles. Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish will need to have a translation service or their consulate translate the information on the driver license prior to arriving. This translation requirement also applies for marriage licenses.
Applicants who have a valid, unexpired learner license from another U.S. state or U.S. territory, or Canada, France, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan and are applying for a Texas learner license, do not have to take the knowledge exam. Upon advancing from a learner license to a driver license, individuals must complete the Impact Texas Driver course, pass the skills exam. Individuals under 25 years of age must also complete driver education.
Applicants who have a driver license from any country other than the U.S., Canada, France, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan must take and pass both the knowledge and skills exams. Select the following link for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas driver license.
Over 18 moving to Texas will require proof of:
- Identity (a valid out of state license can be used as a supporting document)
- Residency
- Citizenship or lawful presence
- Social security number
- Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration* for each vehicle you own. Registration must be current. Visit Texas DMV vehicle registration for more information. (New Residents who are surrendering an out-of-state driver license only)
- Proof of Insurance* for each vehicle you own
*If you do not own a vehicle, you will sign a statement affirming this.
Skills and knowledge exams are waived for applicants 18 and older that hold a valid out of state driver license, as are the ITD and adult driver education requirements.
Minors (Under 18)
Applicants under 18 who have a valid driver license or valid learner license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or Canadian province do not have to take the knowledge exam. Applicants who surrender a valid license/permit from another state will be issued the equivalent Texas version of the document surrendered (i.e. A Texas learner license for another state's learner license).
Applicants under 18 who have a valid driver license or valid learner license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or Canadian province do not have to take the knowledge exam. Applicants who surrender a valid license/permit from another state will be issued the equivalent Texas version of the document surrendered (i.e. A Texas learner license for another state's learner license).
Applicants under 18 from a country other than the U.S. or Canada are required to take and pass the knowledge exam. This includes France, South Korea, Germany and Taiwan because the reciprocity agreement with these countries does not apply to minors.
Getting A Texas Driver's License Online
Note: Texas law requires that anyone issued a Texas learner license must hold that license for at least six (6) months or until he/she is 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. If a learner license/permit is exchanged for a Texas learner license, it must be held for 6 months. No credit is given for prior months the applicant held their permit from another state.
All applicants under 18 must take the skills exam even if they hold a valid driver license from another state or country.
For more information on driver licenses issued to Teen drivers, visit How to apply for a Texas Driver License as a Teen.
Active Duty and Recently Discharged Military
U.S. military personnel on active duty or individuals recently discharged with an expired driver license from another state may be exempt from the skills exam and knowledge exams.
U.S. military personnel on active duty or individuals recently discharged with an expired driver license from another state may be exempt from the skills exam and knowledge exams.
To qualify for the exemption, applicants:
Getting A Texas Drivers License After Moving
- Must present a valid military ID, and
- Provide proof that the state which issued the driver license has a military extension policy for which the individual qualifies. (The individual must contact the issuing state for correct documents). Visit our webpage on How to apply for a Driver License for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas driver license.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Applicants who are a member of a force or civilian component of a NATO country and present orders validating their status are exempt from the knowledge and skills exams for the same or lower class of license.
Applicants who are a member of a force or civilian component of a NATO country and present orders validating their status are exempt from the knowledge and skills exams for the same or lower class of license.
Obtaining a Texas Identification (ID) card
Age To Get A Texas Drivers License
New Texas residents who want to apply for a Texas ID card must meet all of the requirements for a Texas ID card, including proof of Texas residency and identification requirements. Select the following link for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas identification card.