To get your learner permit in Texas, bring these items to your DPS appointment: proof of identity, two documents proving Texas residency, proof of lawful U.S. presence, your driver education completion certificate, a completed DL-14B application, a parent or legal guardian (or a notarized consent form), a Verification of Enrollment from your school if you haven’t graduated, the $16 fee, proof of insurance for any vehicle in your name, and your glasses or contacts if you wear them. The permit is for teens ages 15 to 17; adults 18 and over skip the learner stage and apply for a full license instead.
Proof of Identity
DPS accepts identity documents in one of three combinations:
- One primary document, such as an unexpired U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a certified U.S. birth certificate, or a Permanent Resident Card.
- Two secondary documents, such as an original (non-certified) birth certificate, a Social Security card, or an out-of-state ID.
- One secondary document plus two supporting documents. Supporting documents include items like a W-2, a 1099, or school records.
Every document must be an original or a certified copy DPS can verify with the issuing agency.1Department of Public Safety. Identification Requirements The complete list of what qualifies as primary, secondary, or supporting is on DPS Form DL-17, which you can download and review before your appointment.2Texas Department of Public Safety. Acceptable Identification Documents
Two Proofs of Texas Residency
Bring two printed documents that show your name and your Texas residential address. At least one must show you’ve lived in Texas for 30 days or more.3Department of Public Safety. Texas Residency Requirement for Driver Licenses and ID Cards If you’re surrendering a valid unexpired license from another state, the 30-day rule is waived, but you still need the residency proof.4Texas Department of Public Safety. What to Bring When Applying for a Texas Driver License or Identification Card
Common acceptable documents include a current utility bill, a lease, a mortgage statement, a Texas voter registration card, a bank statement, a vehicle registration, or auto insurance paperwork. Utility and financial statements have to be dated within 180 days of your application. Both documents can come from the same source only when that source is a local government entity offering multiple services, like a municipal utility issuing separate statements for water and gas.3Department of Public Safety. Texas Residency Requirement for Driver Licenses and ID Cards
One thing that catches people at the counter: residency documents have to be on paper. Print your electronic statements at home. Pulling them up on your phone will not be accepted.
Proof of Lawful Presence
Every applicant has to prove lawful presence in the United States. For U.S. citizens, the identity documents you’re already bringing often cover this. A valid U.S. passport, a certified U.S. birth certificate, or a certificate of citizenship each satisfies both identity and lawful presence.
Non-citizens have a separate document list, including a Permanent Resident Card, an unexpired foreign passport with a valid visa and Form I-94, or various documents issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. DPS runs non-citizen documents through the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system. The check is usually instant, but if it isn’t, your permit can be delayed up to 30 days while verification finishes.5Texas Department of Public Safety. Verifying Lawful Presence
Social Security Number
You do not need the physical Social Security card for SSN verification. DPS verifies your number electronically through the Social Security Administration during your application. Write the number on your form and DPS confirms it in seconds.6Department of Public Safety. Social Security Number (SSN)
If the electronic check fails, you’ll have to resolve the discrepancy with the Social Security Administration before DPS can issue your permit. If you were never issued an SSN, you’ll complete a Social Security Affidavit at the office. The card can still count as a supporting identity document, so bringing it along isn’t a bad idea even though DPS no longer uses it to verify the number directly.
Driver Education Certificate
Bring the certificate proving you completed the classroom portion of a Texas-approved driver education course. Which form you need depends on where you took the course:
- Commercial driving school: DE-964 or DEE-964.
- Parent-taught course: DE-964 or DEE-964.
- Public school program: DE-964E.
You must have finished at least the first six hours of classroom instruction if you’re using the concurrent method (classroom and behind-the-wheel training overlapping), or all 24 hours if you’re taking the classroom portion in a block.7Texas Department of Public Safety. What to Bring When Applying – Learner License Your course provider orders certificates through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and gives you yours when you complete the requirement.8Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Driver Education and Safety Certificates
Parental Consent
A parent or legal guardian must either come with you to DPS or provide a notarized application signed by the parent or guardian that you bring on their behalf. Evidence of emancipation is also accepted if it applies.9Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Learners License as a Teen Having a parent show up in person is the simplest route and avoids any question about the notarization.
Verification of Enrollment
If you haven’t graduated high school or earned a GED, you’ll need a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form from your school. The form confirms you’re currently enrolled and met the 90% attendance requirement for the previous semester.10Texas Department of Public Safety. Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form If you already have a diploma or GED, bring that instead and you can skip the VOE.
Application Form DL-14B
Minors under 17 years and 10 months use Form DL-14B, not the DL-14A used by adult applicants.11Texas Department of Public Safety. Driver License or ID Card Application – Minor Download it, fill it out in ink, and complete every field. If a parent or guardian is coming with you, they’ll sign it at the office.
Fee, Insurance, and Glasses
The learner license fee is $16. DPS accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.12Texas Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees
Two items applicants commonly forget. If you own a vehicle, bring proof of insurance for every vehicle registered in your name.4Texas Department of Public Safety. What to Bring When Applying for a Texas Driver License or Identification Card If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them; DPS gives a vision test at the appointment, and if you need corrective lenses to meet the 20/40 standard, a restriction will be added to your permit requiring you to wear them when driving.13Legal Information Institute. 37 Texas Admin Code 15.51 – Vision Tests
Book the Appointment First
DPS offices operate by appointment only. There is no traditional walk-in service. You can schedule through the Texas Scheduler up to six months in advance, and a limited number of same-day slots are released at most offices each day.14Department of Public Safety. Driver License Services – Appointments Offices in metro areas can book up weeks out, so schedule early. If you show up without an appointment, your only option is a self-service kiosk in the lobby to check for openings.
What Happens Once You’re There
A DPS representative will review your documents first. If anything is missing or can’t be verified, you’ll be turned away and have to reschedule, so run through the DL-67 checklist before you leave the house.7Texas Department of Public Safety. What to Bring When Applying – Learner License Once documents clear, you’ll take the vision test and a written knowledge exam on road signs and Texas traffic laws. If you already passed the knowledge exam through your driver education course, your DE-964 certificate should note that and you won’t have to retake it at DPS.9Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Learners License as a Teen After you pass, DPS captures your photo, signature, and thumbprints, and you leave with a temporary paper permit. The official card comes in the mail.