Texas DPS Checklist: Documents, DL-14A, and Fees

For your Texas DPS driver license appointment, bring proof of identity, proof of lawful presence in the United States, your Social Security number, two documents showing your Texas residential address, and a completed DL-14A application. Depending on your age and circumstances, you may also need a driver education certificate, an Impact Texas Drivers certificate, a Verification of Enrollment, discharge papers, or a road-ready vehicle. Knowing what to bring to Texas DPS for a driver license before you walk in is the difference between leaving with a temporary paper license and being told to reschedule.

Every document must be an original or a certified copy. Photocopies, laminated certified documents, and printouts are not accepted.¹

Proof of Identity

Texas uses a tiered identity system. You satisfy it in one of three ways: one primary document, one secondary document plus two supporting documents, or two secondary documents.² The easiest path is a single primary document, which must show your photo, full legal name, and date of birth.

Common primary documents include:

Unexpired U.S. passport (book or card)
A Texas driver license or ID card with photo, expired no more than two years
U.S. military ID for active duty, reserve, or retired personnel
Unexpired U.S. citizenship or naturalization certificate with photo

Without a primary document, combine secondary documents (an original or certified birth certificate from a state vital statistics office, or a court order showing your name and date of birth) with supporting documents such as a Social Security card, W-2, voter registration card, or school records.¹

Proof of Lawful Presence

Lawful presence is a separate check from identity. U.S. citizens usually satisfy it with a state-issued birth certificate or a U.S. passport. If you were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, bring a Department of State Certification of Birth or a citizenship certificate.³

Non-citizens can present a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), or a foreign passport with a valid I-94 and visa. DPS verifies non-citizen documents through the Department of Homeland Security, and expired documents may be accepted in some categories.³ Documents in a language other than English or Spanish need a complete English translation prepared by a qualified translation service or consulate.

One boundary worth noting: there is no separate REAL ID application in Texas. The standard Texas license and ID already comply with REAL ID, so meeting this checklist gets you a REAL ID-compliant card.⁴

Social Security Number

You must provide your full nine-digit Social Security number on the application. You do not have to bring the physical card. DPS verifies your SSN electronically with the Social Security Administration during your appointment, and if that check fails, the application cannot move forward.⁵ Make sure the name on your SSA records matches the name on the identity documents you plan to bring.

Bringing your Social Security card anyway is good insurance. It can double as a supporting identity document if you’re using the secondary-plus-supporting path.¹ A W-2 or 1099 also qualifies as a supporting document.

Two Documents Proving Texas Residency

Bring two printed documents showing your name and a Texas residential street address. Both must display the same name and physical address. P.O. boxes do not count. At least one document must show you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days.⁶ Common options:

A utility or residential service bill dated within 180 days of your application
A current deed, mortgage statement, or residential lease agreement
A current homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy or statement
A bank or financial institution statement
A W-2 or 1099 showing a Texas address

If you are surrendering a valid, unexpired driver license from another state, you still need both residency documents, but the 30-day waiting period is waived.⁷

The DL-14A Application

The DL-14A is the standard application for adults age 17 years and 10 months or older.⁸ Download it, fill it out, and bring it with you. The form asks for personal information, your SSN, and whether you have medical conditions that could affect communication with a peace officer. Answer every section accurately; falsifying the application is a criminal offense under Texas Penal Code Section 37.10.⁹

If You Are Under 18

Teen applicants have the longest checklist. Along with the standard identity, lawful presence, SSN, and residency documents, bring:

The driver education certificate (DE-964), showing completion of an approved driver education program, whether commercial, public school (which issues the DE-964E paper certificate), or parent-taught.¹⁰
The Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) certificate, a two-hour online video required for drivers ages 15–17. The certificate is valid for only 90 days and must be presented before the skills test.¹¹
A Verification of Enrollment (VOE) signed by a school administrator, valid for 30 days during the school year. If signed within the last five days of the school year, it stays valid for 90 days. Home-schooled students have a parent sign the administrator section.

Minors transferring a license from another state still have to take the driving skills test, even with a valid out-of-state license.¹²

If You Are 18 to 24

First-time applicants between 18 and 24 must complete a state-approved six-hour adult driver education course before taking the driving skills test.¹² Bring the completion certificate to your appointment.

You must also complete the Impact Texas Adult Drivers (ITAD) program, a one-hour online video. Finish the six-hour course first, then ITAD. The ITAD certificate is valid for only 90 days, so time it close to your appointment.¹¹

If You Are 25 or Older

Applicants 25 and older skip the six-hour driver education course but still need to complete the one-hour ITAD video before the skills test. Bring the ITAD certificate to your appointment.¹¹

If You Are Transferring an Out-of-State or Foreign License

Bring your current license to surrender at the appointment. If you hold a valid license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province, surrendering it waives the written exam and driving skills test. Adult driver education and ITAD are also waived. A license that expired less than two years ago still qualifies.¹²

Texas has reciprocity agreements with France, Germany, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan. If you hold a valid, unexpired license from one of those countries, bring it; you can transfer without taking exams and may keep the foreign license rather than surrender it.¹²

Active duty military and service members discharged within the last 90 days may qualify for exam waivers even with an expired out-of-state license. Bring a valid military ID and proof that the issuing state offered a military extension.¹²

New residents also need to register their vehicles in Texas within 30 days of moving.¹³ Bring proof of current Texas vehicle registration and insurance for each vehicle you own.¹⁴

If Your Appointment Includes the Road Test

The examiner inspects your vehicle before the test. Any failure cancels the road test on the spot. The vehicle needs:¹⁵

Two license plates securely attached, unless you have a single out-of-state or temporary plate
A working speedometer, horn, and seat belts
Front and rear turn signals and brake lights
At least one rearview mirror
Driver and front passenger doors that open normally
Unexpired vehicle registration and insurance, and you cannot be listed as an excluded driver on the insurance policy¹⁶

Payment for the Fee

Bring payment for the applicable fee:

Driver license (Class A, B, or C), ages 18–84: $33, valid for eight years
ID card, age 59 and younger: $16, valid for six years
ID card, age 60 and older: $6, valid for six years

Each fee includes a $1 administrative fee that is waived for transactions completed by mail.¹⁷

Optional Items Worth Bringing

Veterans who want a “VETERAN” designation on the license at no extra charge should bring one of the following, showing an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions: DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22, a VA disability letter, or a Texas License to Carry with a veteran designator.¹⁸

You will also be asked at the counter whether you want to join the Donate Life Texas organ donor registry, which adds a small heart symbol to your license.¹⁹ No document required; it’s a yes-or-no decision at your appointment.

1
Department of Public Safety. Identification Requirements
2
Cornell Law Institute. 37 Texas Administrative Code 15.24 – Identification of Applicants
3
Department of Public Safety. U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence Requirement
4
Department of Public Safety. Federal Real ID Act
5
Department of Public Safety. Social Security Number (SSN)
6
Department of Public Safety. Texas Residency Requirement for Driver Licenses and ID Cards
7
Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Driver License and Identification Card Document Requirements
8
Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Driver License or Identification Card Application
9
State of Texas. Texas Penal Code 37.10 – Tampering with Governmental Record
10
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Driver Education and Safety Certificates
11
Department of Public Safety. Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program
12
Department of Public Safety. Moving to Texas: A Guide to Driver Licenses and IDs
13
TxDMV.gov. New to Texas
14
Department of Public Safety. Apply for a Texas Driver License
15
Texas Department of Public Safety. How to Prepare for a Drive Test
16
Department of Public Safety. Section 2: Scheduling A Road Test
17
Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees
18
TexVet. Texas Driver Licenses for Veterans
19
Department of Public Safety. Voluntary Contributions and Programs Information