How and what is needed to get a TX DL

[itzel 336]

Apply for Driver License

Requirements for all Applicants

All first time applicants for a Texas driver license must:

1. Apply in person at a Texas driver license office.
   
2. Present documents that verify your identity.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Present proof of Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you must complete a Social Security Affidavit form available at the driver license office.
   
5. Present proof of your Texas residency.
   
6. Present proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance on all vehicles you own.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Consent to be photographed, fingerprinted, and provide your signature at the time of application.
   
9. Pass the written, driving, and vision examinations. (Read more about foreign language examinations.)
   
10. Pay the required fee with a credit card, cash, money order, or a non-temporary check.
    
11. 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:

1. Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
   
2. 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.
   
3. Submit a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) 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.
   
4. 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:

1. Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
   
2. Complete the DL-77 MRDL application (PDF) for screening of eligibility.
   
3. 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

1. Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
   
2. 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:

1. Apply in person at a Texas Driver License office.
   
2. Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above).
   
3. Surrender your VALID out-of-state learner or driver license, or a VALID out-of-country learner or driver license from France, Canada, Germany, or Korea, 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.
   
4. 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.
   

SUPER EXCITED for those of us that live in TX and that will be able to obtain DL as soon as we obtain our work permit and our SS card.....

Link/source: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm

[Rickyerique 2]

What part of Texas do you reside? I live in Austin, tx. Hey have you heard anything about your application, I haven't send mine cuz I'm waiting on some docs and my lawyer.

[itzel 336]

Hi Rickyerique

I live in El Paso, TX. I sent in my application on August 15th and received a confirmation text from USCIS notifying me they'd received my applications and where sending them to Nebraska to be processed on August 22nd. I also received in the mail an I 797C, notifying me to wait for approval of my applications and eventually a biometrics appointment.

[pswa83 302]

Even though I do not live in TX, I found this informative.

I will post somethin similar for those who live in CA!!

[itzel 336]

Great pswa83!!!! It's great to help out people asking about DL in different states. It's our jobs as moderators to help others out...