What you need to bring to the Texas DPS office
To get a Texas learner's permit, you must visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person with specific documents. Bring your original birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days). You will also need a completed process for a Texas Driver License or Permit (Form DL-44), which you can fill out before you go or at the office.
If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian with a valid photo ID. Texas requires parental consent for minors, and the parent or guardian must be present when you explore. If you were born outside the United States, bring your immigration documents — a green card, visa, or other proof of legal presence. The DPS office will not issue a permit without proof that you are legally in the country.
Bring your money: the permit fee is $16 for a four-year permit or $32 for an eight-year permit. The DPS accepts cash, check, and debit or credit card at most locations. Call ahead to confirm your local office accepts your payment method.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring your original birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, proof of address, and a completed DL-44 form to any Texas DPS office.
- If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must come with you and bring their own valid photo ID.
- The permit costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years, and you pay at the office when you explore.
- You will take a written test on traffic laws and road signs at the DPS office on the day you explore; bring glasses or contacts if you use them.
- Your permit is valid when ready after you pass the test, and you can start driving with a licensed adult in the car right away.
The written test: what to expect and how to prepare
The Texas learner's permit test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass. All questions are multiple choice, and the test is given on a computer at the DPS office. You have no time limit, though most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.
The test focuses on what you will actually encounter on the road: what different road signs mean, speed limits in different zones, right-of-way rules, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs. You can study using the official Texas Driver Handbook, which the DPS publishes free online at their website. Many people also use practice tests available through the DPS website or third-party study apps. Bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them — you must be able to read the screen clearly.
If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day or come back another day. There is no extra fee to retake the test. Most DPS offices allow you to retake it when ready, though a few require you to wait a few hours or return another day — call your local office to ask.
Age requirements and restrictions for Texas learner's permit holders
You must be at least 14 years old to get a learner's permit in Texas. There is no upper age limit — adults can get a learner's permit at any age. If you are 14 or 15, you must hold the permit for at least six months and be at least 15 years and 9 months old before you can take the driving test for a full license. If you are 16 or older when you get the permit, you can take the driving test after holding the permit for only 30 days.
While you hold a learner's permit, you must follow these rules: you can only drive with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old sitting next to you in the front seat. You cannot drive alone. You cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free, except in an emergency. You must follow all traffic laws and speed limits. If you are under 18, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment.
These restrictions exist because new drivers have the highest crash rates. Following them during the permit period gives you time to build safe driving habits before you drive alone.
How long the permit is valid and what happens when it expires
A Texas learner's permit is valid for four years or eight years, depending on which one you buy. The four-year permit costs $16, and the eight-year permit costs $32. Both are valid from the date you receive them. Your permit will show the expiration date on the front.
If your permit expires before you pass the driving test and get a full license, you must renew it. You can renew by mail, online, or in person at a DPS office. Renewing by mail or online costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years and takes about two weeks. Renewing in person is faster — you can walk out with a new permit the same day. You do not have to retake the written test to renew; you only need to pay the fee and provide updated proof of address if yours has changed.
If your permit expires and you have not yet taken the driving test, you can still take the test after renewal. The six-month or 30-day holding period does not reset when you renew — it counts from when you first got your original permit.
Getting your permit with an out-of-state or international license
If you already have a valid driver's license from another state or country, you can still get a Texas learner's permit. You will follow the same process: bring your documents, pass the written test, and pay the fee. Your out-of-state or international license does not replace the permit — you must hold the Texas permit and follow all permit restrictions while you are learning to drive in Texas.
If you hold a valid license from another state and want to convert it to a Texas license without getting a permit first, you can do that instead. You would take the driving test but skip the written test and the permit period. However, if you want to use a permit to practice first, that option is open to you. The choice is yours.
If your out-of-state or international license is expired, you cannot use it as proof of identity. Bring your birth certificate or passport instead, along with the other required documents.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged permit
If your permit is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at any Texas DPS office. Bring your birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address, just as you did when you first applied. The replacement fee is $11. You do not have to retake the written test — the DPS will issue a new permit with the same expiration date as your original.
You can also request a replacement by mail. Send a letter to the Texas DPS with your name, date of birth, driver's license or permit number, and a check or money order for $11. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail it to the address listed on the DPS website. This takes about two weeks.
If your permit was damaged in an accident or by water, bring it with you to the DPS office. If it was lost or stolen, you do not need to bring anything — just tell the DPS officer what happened. You can start driving with a replacement permit when ready after you receive it.
What to do if you fail the written test
If you do not pass the written test on your first try, you can retake it. Most Texas DPS offices let you retake the test the same day at no extra cost. A few offices require you to wait a few hours or come back another day. Call your local DPS office before you go to ask about their retake policy.
Between attempts, review the Texas Driver Handbook and focus on the topics you found hardest. Many people use practice tests to identify weak areas. The handbook covers all the material on the real test, so studying it thoroughly will improve your chances of passing on the next try.
There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test. You can keep trying until you pass. Each attempt costs nothing extra — you only pay the original $16 or $32 permit fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Texas learner's permit online or by mail?
No. You must go to a Texas DPS office in person to get a learner's permit for the first time. You must bring your documents and take the written test at the office. You cannot complete this by mail or online. However, you can renew an existing permit by mail or online if it expires before you get your full license.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
A valid U.S. passport works instead of a birth certificate. If you do not have either, contact the Texas DPS office in your county — they can tell you what other documents they will accept. Some offices accept certified copies of court records or immigration documents. Call ahead so you bring the right paperwork.
Do I have to take the written test in English?
The Texas DPS offers the written test in English and Spanish. When you arrive at the office, tell the staff which language you prefer. The test covers the same material in both languages, and you must still answer at least 21 of 30 questions correctly to pass.
How soon can I take the driving test after I get my learner's permit?
If you are 14 or 15, you must wait at least six months and be at least 15 years and 9 months old. If you are 16 or older, you can take the driving test after holding the permit for 30 days. The DPS counts from the date you received your permit, not the date you applied.
Can my parent or guardian sign the DL-44 form before we go to the DPS office?
Yes. You can fill out and sign the DL-44 form at home before you go, or you can fill it out at the DPS office. Either way works. If you fill it out at home, bring it with you. If you fill it out at the office, the staff will help you. Your parent or guardian must still be present in person to consent — they cannot sign it remotely or by mail.