What Documents Do You Need to Get a Texas Driver’s License?

To get a Texas driver’s license, the documents needed are proof of identity, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, two documents proving your Texas residential address, and your Social Security number, plus proof of liability insurance for any vehicle you own. Applicants under 25 add a driver education certificate, and anyone taking the driving skills test must also bring an Impact Texas Drivers certificate. New applications happen in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office by appointment.¹

Proof of Identity and Citizenship or Lawful Presence

DPS sorts identity documents into tiers. A single primary document satisfies the identity requirement on its own. If you don’t have one, you can substitute two secondary documents, or one secondary document with two supporting documents.²

The most useful documents are the ones that prove both identity and citizenship at the same time:

Valid, unexpired U.S. passport book or passport card
Original or certified birth certificate from a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia
Certificate of Naturalization

A Permanent Resident Card also counts as a primary identity document.²

If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring an unexpired document from the Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Acceptable examples include a Permanent Resident Card, an Employment Authorization Card, or a valid foreign passport with an attached visa and I-94 form. Temporary visitors receive a limited-term license tied to the expiration of their immigration documents.³

Two Documents Proving Texas Residency

You need two separate documents that show your name and current Texas residential address. Both must be dated within 180 days of your application. Ninety days is a common misconception; the rule is 180.⁴

Documents DPS accepts include:

Current lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement
Utility bills for electric, water, gas, internet, or cell phone service
Bank, investment, or credit card statements

The two documents can come from the same provider only if that provider supplies distinct services, such as a municipal utility that bills separately for water and gas. Two bills from the same company for the same service in different months do not count as two documents.⁴

Social Security Number

Every applicant lists a Social Security number on the application. DPS verifies it electronically with the federal government during processing, so you don’t necessarily need to bring the physical card. You do need to know the number, and it must match Social Security Administration records.⁵

If DPS can’t verify the number electronically, you’ll need to resolve the mismatch with the Social Security Administration before your license can be issued. People who aren’t eligible for a Social Security number complete a separate affidavit (Form DL-13) at the DPS office, though they cannot obtain a commercial driver’s license.⁵

Proof of Vehicle Insurance

You must show proof of liability insurance for each vehicle you own, or sign a statement at the office affirming that you don’t own a vehicle. Current Texas vehicle registration is required only if you’re a new resident surrendering an out-of-state license; first-time applicants who already live in Texas don’t need to bring registration paperwork.⁶

Extra Documents for Teens Under 18

Minors bring everything above plus three additional items:

Parental consent. A parent or legal guardian must either come to the office in person or provide a notarized application.
School enrollment proof: a completed Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form, a high school diploma, or a GED.
A certificate showing completion of the classroom portion of an approved teen driver education course.

⁷

Texas offers two ways to complete the classroom instruction. The concurrent method has you finish six hours of classroom work, get a learner’s permit, then complete the remaining 18 hours while practicing behind the wheel. The block method requires all 32 hours of classroom instruction before you receive the permit. Either way, a learner’s license must be held for at least six months before upgrading to a provisional license.⁸

Driver Education for Adults 18 to 24

If you’re between 18 and 24 and have never been licensed, you must complete a six-hour adult driver education course before testing. Bring the completion certificate to your appointment. Drivers 25 and older are not required to take a driver education course.⁸

Impact Texas Drivers Certificate

This is the document people most often forget, and it will stop your appointment cold. Anyone taking the driving skills test must first complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) program, a short online video course about distracted driving. Which version depends on your age:

Teens 15 to 17 take Impact Texas Teen Drivers, a two-hour video.
Adults 18 to 24 take Impact Texas Adult Drivers, a one-hour video.
Adults 25 and older take the same one-hour adult video, even though driver education itself isn’t required for this age group.

Print the ITD certificate and bring it to your driving test appointment. DPS will not administer the test without it.⁹

If You’re Transferring a License From Another State or Country

If you hold a valid license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canada that hasn’t been expired for more than two years, you skip both the written knowledge test and the driving skills test. You still need every standard Texas document (identity, residency, Social Security, proof of insurance), and you surrender your out-of-state license at the DPS office. Proof of current Texas vehicle registration is also required for new residents, so register your vehicles before your appointment.¹⁰⁶

Minors transferring from another state with a valid license or learner’s permit are exempt from the written knowledge test but still have to take the driving skills test. Drivers from France, South Korea, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, or Taiwan holding valid, unexpired licenses may also qualify for exam waivers.¹⁰

REAL ID Uses the Same Documents

Federal REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. You now need a REAL ID-compliant license, marked with a gold star in the upper right corner, or another federally accepted ID such as a passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.¹¹¹² From a paperwork standpoint, REAL ID does not add anything to the checklist above. The identity, citizenship, residency, and Social Security documents already required for a Texas license are the same ones DPS uses to issue a REAL ID-compliant card. The DPS online REAL ID checklist tool lets you confirm the exact combination for your situation before your visit.³

Documents for a Name Change

If your name changes because of marriage, divorce, or a court order, you have 30 days to visit a DPS office and update your license. Bring an original document verifying the change; photocopies are not accepted. For a marriage-related change, that means the marriage license, divorce decree, or annulment. For other changes, a certified court order, amended birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization works.¹³

Providing false information on any part of a driver’s license application, including a name change, is a Class A misdemeanor in Texas, carrying up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

1
Texas.gov. Texas Driver Licenses and IDs, Renewals, and Replacements
2
Department of Public Safety. Identification Requirements
3
Texas Department of Public Safety. Driver License/Identification Card and REAL ID Checklist
4
Cornell Law School. 37 Tex. Admin. Code 15.49 – Proof of Domicile
5
Department of Public Safety. Social Security Number (SSN)
6
Department of Public Safety. Apply for a Texas Driver License
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Department of Public Safety. Texas Learners License as a Teen
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Department of Public Safety. Choosing a Driver Education Course
9
Department of Public Safety. Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program
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Department of Public Safety. Moving to Texas – A Guide to Driver Licenses and IDs
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Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
12
Texas.gov. Texas REAL ID
13
Department of Public Safety. How to Change Information on Your Driver License or ID Card