new texas drivers license - TX
Apply for Driver License
Requirements for All Applicants
All first time applicants for a Texas driver license must:
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Apply in person at a Texas driver license office.
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Present documents that verify your identity. (See below)
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Present documents that verify you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful presence. All information on each document must match. Additional documentation may be required to verify conflicting information, incomplete names, and date of birth.
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Present proof of Social Security Number (See Below). If you do not have a Social Security Number, you must complete a Social Security Affidavit form available at the driver license office.
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Present proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance on all vehicles you own.
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Complete the application for driver license or identification card (PDF). You may type your information on the form, print it, and bring it with you to the office. If you don’t have a printer, the form is also available at the office.
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Consent to be photographed, fingerprinted, and provide your signature at the time of application.
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Pass the written, driving, and vision examinations. (Read more about foreign language examinations.)
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Pay the required fee with a credit card, cash, money order, or a non-temporary check.
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Provide a vehicle for the driving exam and present current liability insurance, Texas vehicle registration, and inspection for the vehicle.
NOTE: Anyone age 18 through 24 who does not have a valid driver license from another state or country must also provide proof of Adult Driver Education.
Under age 18
A learner license to drive allows a beginning driver to operate a vehicle with someone in the front seat that is 21 years of age or older and holds a valid license. The minimum legal driving age in Texas is 15 years of age. Please refer to the Teen Driver information for additional requirements.
A current or new resident of Texas who is under 18 years of age must:
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Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
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Present the driver education completion certificate. All applicants who have a learner’s license or a provisional (full class) driver license will be required to submit the completion certificate.
OR
Present a Parental Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90A) and Classroom Instruction and Behind-the-Wheel Record (DL-91A and DL-91B) for parent taught driver education only.
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Submit a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) (CDD-104) form, or a letter from the school administrator as a substitute for the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance form. The letter must contain the same information as the VOE form.
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Obtain parental authorization (If Parent Taught Driver Education was completed, parent must be present to sign).
NOTE: The VOE form verifies the applicant is enrolled in a public school, home school, private school or GED program. The VOE form is required for original and renewal applicants under the age of 18. VOE forms are valid for 30 days after issuance in the spring and fall semesters and for 90 days during the summer.
If you want to obtain a hardship license (Minor’s Restricted Driver License-MRDL), the minimum age is 15, but not more than 18. You must:
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Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
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Complete the DL-77 MRDL application (PDF) for screening of eligibility.
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Obtain Parental Authorization Signature (parent must be present to sign).
A certificate of completion of driver education must be submitted and the hardship license must be renewed annually.
Driver Licenses for Age 79 and over
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Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
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Once you are age 85, the driver license must be renewed every two years.
Read additional information regarding Katie’s Law and elderly drivers.
Currently Licensed in Another State or Country
A new resident moving into Texas, who is at least 16 years or older and has a valid driver license from another state, has 90 days after entry into the state to secure a Texas Driver License. You must:
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Apply in person at a Texas Driver License office.
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Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
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Surrender your VALID out-of-state learner or driver license, or a VALID out-of-country learner or driver license from France, Canada, or Germany, at the driver license office. The written and driving examinations will be waived, but you must still pass a vision exam.
OR
Surrender your EXPIRED driver license at the driver license office. You will be required to pass the written, driving and vision exams.
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If you are under age 18, you must pass the mandatory driving test. NOTE: For customer convenience, some locations are pre-scheduling the driving exam. Contact your local Driver License office to see if appointments are offered.
NOTE: If you are active duty military with an EXPIRED driver license from your former state of residence, you must present proof that the driver license is considered valid by that state. You will need to contact your former state for the appropriate document(s). Without such proof, you will be required to pass the written, driving and vision exams.
Waiver of Fee for Disabled Veterans
Except for persons subject to the sex offender registration requirements of Chapter 62 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, a Texas driver license may be furnished free of charge to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces if the veteran: (1) was honorably discharged; (2) has a service-related disability of at least sixty (60) percent; and (3) receives compensation from the United States because of the disability. The driver license fee exemption does not apply to a Texas Identification Card or a Texas Commercial Driver License. View Driver License Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans for additional information.
Identity
Primary identification
These items are complete within themselves and require no supporting instruments: These documents must contain the applicant's complete name and full date of birth.
Primary Identification
Must include full name, date of birth, and photo
Accepted for identification without additional documentation
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Texas driver license (DL) or identification certificate (ID) with photo and within two years of expiration date
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Unexpired United States passport book or passport card
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United States Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with identifiable photo (N-560, N-561, N-645, N-550, N-55G, N-570 or N-578)
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Unexpired DHS or USCIS document The document must contain verifiable data and identifiable photo. Examples include:
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US Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
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Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
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Temporary I-551 (immigrant visa endorsed with adit stamp) and foreign passport
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Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
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Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
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U.S. Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
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Advance Parole Document (I-512 or I-512L)
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I-94 stamped Sec. 208 Asylee with photo
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I-94 stamped Sec. 207 Refugee with photo
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American Indian Card (I-872)
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Northern Mariana card (I-873)
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Foreign Passport, visa (valid or expired), and Form I-94 with an undefined expiration date (e.g., duration of status).
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Foreign Passport, visa (valid or expired) and Form I-94 with a defined expiration date.
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Unexpired United States military ID card for active duty, reserve, or retired personnel with identifiable photo.
Secondary Identification
Recorded governmental documents
(includes full name and date of birth)
An applicant must present either: two secondary documents or one secondary and two supporting documents
to establish identity
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Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or a Canadian province. A birth record issued by a hospital is not acceptable under this category.
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Original or certified copy of U.S. Dept. of State Certification of Birth Abroad (issued to U. S. citizens born abroad) (Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)
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Original or certified copy of court order with name and date of birth (DOB) indicating an official change of name and/or gender from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Canadian province.
Supporting Identification
Additional records and documents that
aid in establishing identity
An applicant must present one secondary and two supporting documents to establish identity
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Social Security card (actual card)
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Forms W-2 or 1099
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Numident record from the Social Security Administration
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Temporary receipt for a Texas driver license or ID (actual receipt)
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Driver license or ID issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Canadian province (unexpired or within two years of the expiration date) (actual card) *
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Expired Texas driver license or ID (expired more than two years) (actual card)
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School records* (e.g., report cards, photo ID cards)
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Military records (e.g., Form DD-214)
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Unexpired U.S. military dependant identification card (actual card)
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Original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree (U.S. jurisdiction or foreign jurisdiction – if the document is not in English, a certified translation must accompany it)
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Voter registration card (actual card)*
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Pilot's license (actual card)*
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Concealed handgun license (actual card)*
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Professional license issued by Texas state agency
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ID card issued by government agency*
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A valid consular document issued by a state or national government
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Texas Inmate ID card or similar form of ID issued by TDCJ
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TDCJ parole or mandatory release certificate
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Federal inmate identification card
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Federal parole or release certificate
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Medicare or Medicaid card (actual card)
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Selective Service card (actual card)
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Immunization records*
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Tribal membership card from federally-recognized tribe
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Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
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Unexpired foreign passport
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Insurance policy (e.g., auto, home, life) (valid continuously for the past two years)
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Texas Vehicle title (TRC §521.144)
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Current Texas vehicle registration
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Current Texas boat registration or title
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Veteran’s Administration card (actual card)
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Hospital issued birth record*
*This document must be issued by an institution, entity, or government from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Canadian province.
Social Security Number
Every applicant must submit a social security number (SSN) for a driver license or commercial driver license (CDL). An SSN is not required for individuals applying for an identification card. The SSN will not appear on the driver license and will be disclosed only to those entities that have statutory authority to receive the social security number, such as the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General-State of Texas.
All original driver license applicants are required to show proof of the SSN before the driver license will be issued. For all duplicate and renewal driver license applications, documented proof of the SSN shall be obtained if the SSN is not currently part of the driver record. After the SSN becomes part of the driver record, all future duplicate and renewal transactions in a driver license office will be verified for the correct SSN. Should the SSN on record not match the number provided, the applicant will be required to provide acceptable documentation for verification.
The Department may verify the SSN through the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the SSN cannot be authenticated, the Department may deny issuance of the renewal, duplicate or original driver license until authentication is made through the SSA. If the driver license was previously issued, the Department may mail to the address on record a notice requiring the driver license holder provide documentation for verification. Failure to comply with this request within 30 days may result in the cancellation of the driver license.
Individuals who have applied for and been denied or who have never applied for, been issued or assigned a SSN may complete a Social Security Affidavit. The affidavit will be available at the driver license office and must be sworn to before an authorized Department employee. Providing a false statement to the Department in connection with this affidavit will result in cancellation of the driver license and may result in criminal charges. The affidavit is not acceptable for the issuance of a CDL, as all applicants for a CDL must have an SSN.
The social security number must be stated on the document that you present. Acceptable Documentation of the Social Security Number includes:
Federal issued Social Security Card. (Metal Social Security cards or types sold at flea markets will NOT be accepted).
Health Card (if member number represents Social Security Number).
Pilot's license
Military identification (Applies to active, reserve and dependent status).
Peace officer's license - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standard and Education.
DD-214
Medicare/Medicaid Cards
Certified college/university transcript (designating number as SSN).
Veteran's administration card (with social security number preprinted on card).
All documents submitted as proof of SSN are subject to final approval by the Driver License Office.
To apply for a SSN or to replace a lost Social Security card, please contact the Social Security Administration online at www.ssa.gov or by telephone at 1-800-772-1213