What you need to bring to the Texas DPS office
When you explore for an original Texas driver license, you will submit Form DL-44 in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. You cannot mail this process or submit it online. The form itself is one page, but the documents you bring with it matter more than the form.
Bring one document that proves your identity — a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a consular report of birth, or a military ID. Bring one document that proves your Texas residency — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. Bring proof of your legal name if it differs from your birth certificate — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
You will also need to pass the written test and the driving test on the same day or on separate visits, depending on the office and your schedule. Bring your learner permit if you have one, though it is not required for the written test.
Key Takeaways
- Form DL-44 must be completed and submitted in person at a Texas DPS office; there is no online or mail option for original licenses.
- You need one identity document, one proof of Texas residency from the last 30 days, your Social Security card or number, and proof of your legal name if it has changed.
- The written test and driving test can happen on the same day or different days, but both must be passed before your license is issued.
- Bring your learner permit if you have one, but it is not required to take the written test for the first time.
- Fees vary by license type and validity period; check the Texas DPS website for current pricing before you go.
How to complete Form DL-44 before you arrive
You can read Form DL-44 from the Texas DPS website and fill it out at home, or you can fill it out at the office. Filling it out ahead of time saves you 10 to 15 minutes in the waiting area. The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email address. It also asks whether you have ever held a driver license in Texas or any other state.
The form includes a section where you declare your height, eye color, and whether you wear corrective lenses. Answer these accurately — they will be checked against you in person. There is also a section for medical conditions that might affect your driving, such as epilepsy or severe hearing loss. Answer honestly; the DPS uses this information to determine whether you need a restricted license or additional testing.
Sign and date the form before you arrive. The DPS office will not accept an unsigned form. Do not leave any required field blank; if a question does not explore to you, write "N/A" rather than leaving it empty.
What happens during your in-person visit
When you arrive at the DPS office, check in at the front desk and give them your completed Form DL-44 and your documents. A staff member will review your paperwork to make sure everything is there and matches. They will take your photograph and your fingerprints. They will verify your identity by checking your documents against the form you filled out.
If you have not yet taken the written test, you will be directed to a computer terminal to take it. The test has 30 questions about Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 21 questions correctly to pass. If you pass, you will receive a learner permit on the spot (if you do not already have one) or you can move forward to schedule your driving test.
If you have already passed the written test and are there only for the driving test, the examiner will take you to a vehicle and evaluate your ability to start the car, control steering, brake smoothly, turn, park, and follow traffic laws. The test takes about 20 minutes. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition.
Documents that prove your identity
The Texas DPS accepts a limited list of documents as proof of identity for a first-time license. A U.S. passport is the easiest option because it is recognized everywhere and contains your photograph. A certified birth certificate — the official copy with a raised seal, not a photocopy — also works. A consular report of birth issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate is acceptable if you were born outside the United States. A military ID or military dependent ID is accepted if it is current or expired within the last five years.
A school ID, work ID, or state ID from another state does not count as proof of identity for a Texas driver license. If you do not have one of the four accepted documents, you will need to obtain one before you can explore. A certified birth certificate can be ordered from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born, and it typically arrives within one to three weeks.
Proof of Texas residency and your legal name
To prove you live in Texas, bring a document dated within the last 30 days that shows your name and current address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank or credit card statement all work. A cell phone bill does not count. If you have recently moved and your documents show an old address, bring a second document that shows your new address, such as a lease signed within the last 30 days.
If your legal name has changed since your birth certificate was issued, bring the document that changed it — a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order. The name on your birth certificate, your residency document, and your Form DL-44 must all match, or the DPS will ask you to clarify the discrepancy before processing your process.
Fees and how long the process takes
The cost of an original Texas driver license depends on how long you want it to be valid. A license valid for five years costs less than a license valid for eight years. The DPS also charges a separate fee for the written test and the driving test if you take them on different days. Check the Texas DPS website for exact current fees, as they change periodically.
You will receive your license on the day you pass both the written and driving tests, but it will be a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you. The plastic card usually arrives within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within 30 days, contact the DPS to report it.
If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another visit. If you fail the driving test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it. Most DPS offices allow you to schedule a retest when ready after you fail, or you can call ahead to book a time that works for you.
Special situations: name changes, previous licenses, and medical conditions
If you have held a driver license in another state or in Texas before, tell the DPS staff when you arrive. They will check their records to see whether your previous license is still active. If it is, you may be asked to surrender it or provide a reason why you are explore for a new one. If your previous license was suspended or revoked, you will not be able to get a new license until the suspension or revocation is lifted.
If you reported a medical condition on Form DL-44, the DPS may require you to pass additional tests or provide a letter from your doctor before issuing your license. For example, if you reported a seizure disorder, you may need to provide documentation that you have been seizure-free for a certain period. If you reported a severe vision problem, you may need to take a vision test at the office. These requirements vary by condition and are determined by DPS medical review staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for a Texas driver license online or by mail?
No. Original Texas driver licenses must be applied for in person at a DPS office. You cannot submit Form DL-44 by mail or online. You must appear in person for your photograph, fingerprints, and to take the written and driving tests.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
You can order a certified birth certificate from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. The process takes one to three weeks. In the meantime, you can use a U.S. passport, consular report of birth, or military ID as your identity document if you have one of those.
Do I have to take the written test and driving test on the same day?
No. You can take the written test first, receive your learner permit, and then schedule your driving test for a later date. Many people take the written test, practice driving with their learner permit for a few weeks, and then return to take the driving test. Both tests must be passed before your license is issued.
What if my address on my residency document does not match the address on my birth certificate?
Bring both documents and explain the situation to the DPS staff. If you have recently moved, bring a second document dated within the last 30 days that shows your new address. The DPS will use the most recent document to determine your current address for your license.
How long does it take to get my plastic driver license card after I pass the tests?
You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days on the day you pass both tests. Your plastic card is mailed to you and usually arrives within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within 30 days, contact the DPS to report it missing.