Get Drivers License Online Texas

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1. Get Started Online With New Drivers License Assistance

New drivers licenses cannot be obtained online or by mail. Instead, you must apply for a new license in person at a local DMV. While there, you must pass a vision screening, a written exam and a skills test. To make sure that you are prepared, download our informative online drivers license guide. Our guide contains everything you need to know to complete this application easily and quickly. In it, you will get in-depth details on how to complete other important licensing transactions, such as updating personal information on your license, renewing your license and replacing a lost one.

2. In Person at the DMV

Texas Drivers License Test Online. One advantage to our adult driver education course is, it includes the Texas drivers license test online. Traditionally, adults needing to take the drivers test would pickup a copy of the Texas drivers handbook. They would have to study it completely, then visit their local DPS office.

To obtain a new drivers license at the DMV, you must submit identification documents and pass mandatory tests. A birth certificate or passport can verify your name and age, and a utility bill can prove your state residency. Generally, you must pass a written knowledge exam and a road skills test. You must also fill out a drivers license application form and pay the applicable fees. However, you may not know which forms to complete or if you are already eligible to take your exams. Arriving at the DMV unprepared may result in long wait times and potential mistakes, which could mean having to redo the process.

A Texas drivers license can be issued to motorists who are 16 years of age or older. Issued by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a TX DMV license is available to applicants who are able to meet the state requirements and pass the necessary driving skills exams. If you are a licensed motorist who has moved from a different state, you must request a Texas-issued driving credential within a certain period after taking up residency in the state.

Generally, the procedure for submitting an application for a new drivers license in TX varies slightly depending on a motorist’s age. For example, if you are younger than 18 years of age, you must first obtain a learner’s permit and undergo the steps in the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program in order to become eligible to receive a DMV drivers license with no restrictions. Read the sections below to learn more about how to get a Texas drivers license.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Texas as an Adult (18 or Older)

If you are obtaining a new TX drivers license for the first time, you will be required to fill out an application form and submit supporting documentation proving your identity, age and residency status. Overall, applying for a driver’s license online is not an available method in Texas.

Instead, these applications must be submitted in person at a DMV office. Furthermore, all applicants will be required to take and pass the required state vision and driving skills exams in order to receive a license.

What documents do you need to get a drivers license in Texas?

The most important aspects for a motorist to apply for a drivers license in Texas involve providing the necessary identification and residency paperwork, as well as being able to prove that the applicant is capable of safely operating a vehicle. To meet these TX drivers license requirements, motorists must submit a number of documents as certified copies or in their original formats.

All applicants, including those who are 18 years of age or older, are required to complete some form of driver education program before they are considered eligible to receive a new license. Furthermore, first-time adult applicants must include the following documents in their driver’s license application packets:

  1. Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal status: This information must be verified by the Department of Homeland Security before a DMV license application can proceed.
  2. Proof of identity: Bring one item listed in the “Primary Identity Documents” category or two items listed in the “Secondary Identity Documents” category. Otherwise, bring one item listed in the “Secondary Identity Documents” category and two documents listed in the “Supporting Identity Documents” category.
    1. Examples of “Primary Identity Documents” include:
      1. Valid passport
      2. Original or certified copy of a birth certificate
      3. Military ID, if you are obtaining a Texas drivers license as military staff
    2. Examples of “Secondary Identity Documents” include:
      1. Original or certified copy of a birth certificate
      2. Certificate of report of birth
    3. Examples of “Supporting Identity Documents” include:
      1. Social Security Number (SSN) card
      2. W-2 stubs or 1099 tax form
      3. Driver license or ID card issued by another state
  1. Proof of Social Security Number (SSN).
  2. Proof of TX residency, such as:
    1. Valid voter registration card
    2. Utility bill from the last 90 days
    3. Medical or health insurance card
    4. Home insurance policy or property deed
  3. Certificate of completion for the Impact Texas Driver (ITD) program.
  4. Certificate of completion for the necessary driver education program, in the case of applicants who are 24 years of age or younger.

Steps to Applying for a New Drivers License in Texas as an Adult

In order to successfully apply for a drivers license in Texas, motorists must have already watched the free Impact Texas Driver (ITD) program online or through an authorized provider. Applicants who are 24 years of age or younger must also complete a certified traffic safety and driver education program before they can request a license.

These Texas drivers license requirements exist for 18 year-olds as well. Then, adult motorists must prepare their driving license application packets to be submitted to a state licensing office. The basic steps that these applicants must take include the following:

  1. Prepare the necessary supporting documents, including proof of identification, residency, SSN and legal U.S. status.
  2. Print out or pick up an “Application for Texas Driver License or Identification Card” form. Complete and sign this document.
  3. Bring in an acceptable payment method for the applicable license fees.
  4. Head to the closest DMV office with all of the necessary paperwork.
  5. Provide your thumbprint and take a photo.
  6. Undergo a vision screening at the DMV office.
  7. Pass the written knowledge exam.
  8. After passing the written exam, take the road skills test or schedule it for a later date.
  9. After passing the road skills test, obtain your temporary driver’s license in Texas. Your permanent credential will be mailed to your mailing address in a few weeks.

FAQ: Can you take the written driving test online in Texas? For maximum convenience, the state does allow you to take the official written exam online.

For more answers to common questions, visit our Texas FAQs page here.

Getting a Texas Drivers License as a New Resident

Texas drivers license services are offered to all new state residents who visit a DMV office. Despite the fact that most qualifications are the same for all adult drivers in the state, new to Texas drivers license requirements indicate that residents who previously held an out-of-state driving credential do not have to pass the state’s knowledge or road skills tests.

Get Drivers License Online Texas

On the other hand, new residents will be required to exchange their out-of-state credentials for a new driver’s license issued by the Texas DMV. Generally, applicants will have 90 days to file this transfer request.

The drivers license cost for transferring an out-of-state credential is the same as applying for a brand-new TX license. Furthermore, most motorists who hold a driver’s license that was issued in another country will be required to pass the state’s knowledge and road skills exams, unless the credential was issued in France, Germany, South Korea and Taiwan.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Texas as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

If you are younger than 18 years of age, you must obtain a learner’s permit before you apply for a new driver’s license in Texas. Generally, these applicants must meet all of the same requirements as adult motorists, in addition to enrolling in a state-approved driver’s ed course.

Many of the same Texas drivers license eligibility guidelines that apply to adults are also applicable to teens. As a general rule, applicants can request an initial learner’s permit as long as they are 15 years of age. Furthermore, these motorists must meet the following TX DMV drivers license requirements:

  1. Provide the same types of documents proving your identity and residency as required from adults.
  2. Have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
  3. Complete a “Verification of Enrollment and Attendance” (VOE) form, or provide a high school diploma or GED certificate.
  4. Certificate of completion of the necessary driver education program.
  5. Certificate of completion for the applicable Impact Texas Teen Driver (ITTD) program.

Drivers Ed Requirements to Get a Driver’s Permit in Texas

All teen motorists applying for a driver’s license in Texas must meet the state’s driver education requirements before they can be issued a driving credential of any kind. As such, applicants who are younger than 18 years of age must enroll in a driver safety and education program that meets state standards of coverage and experience. Moreover, the state driver’s ed requirements include the one-hour Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) program, which can be watched online.

Once a teen applies for a new driver’s license in TX, he or she will be required to pass the vision screening and written knowledge exam before a learner’s permit can be issued. In general, a provisional driver’s license can be obtained by motorists who have held a learner’s permit for at least six months and who have reached 16 years of age.

Overall, this restricted DMV license allows motorists to operate vehicles in Texas under certain conditions.

How much does it cost to get a driver’s license in Texas?

The driver’s license cost varies depending on the age of an applicant. Common fees that license applicants in Texas can expect to pay include:

  • New license for applicants younger than 18 years of age: $16
  • New license for applicants between 18 and 84 years of age: $25
  • New license for applicants older than 85 years of age: $9
  • New license for disabled veterans: Free
  • New learner’s permit: $16

The cost to obtain a new license if you are between the ages of 18 and 84 is the same as the cost to perform a Texas drivers license renewal for this age range. Similarly, the cost to renew a drivers license as an 85-year-old motorist is the same as the price of a new credential. However, replacing a lost Texas drivers license is less, at $11.

Texas Drivers License Forms

Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.

Sources

  1. How to Apply for a Texas Driver License from Texas.gov
  2. Teen Drivers from Texas.gov
  3. Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program from Texas.gov
The road to your license starts here

Online Adult Driver's Ed for $49.00

Getting your license starts with Texas Adult Driver’s Ed. This TDLR (formerly the TEA) approved online course eliminates the need to take the written test at the DPS.

  • Approved by the Texas DPS for Driver’s Ed
  • DPS written knowledge exam is included
  • Convenient 24/7 access on all device types
  • Certificate of completion emailed within 2 hours

Apply for a New Driver's License in Texas

If you're looking to drive legally in Texas, you need to obtain your driver's license right away.

Whether you're a new resident, a first-time driver, or a non-citizen, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) makes it simple to obtain your new license.

New to Texas?

Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

If you're new to Texas, you have 90 days from the time you moved to the state to obtain your Texas driver's license. After that, your out-of-state or out-of-country license will no longer be valid for use in TX.

In order to apply for a license as a new resident, you'll take the same steps as those outlined in “Apply for Your TX Driver's License' below, EXCEPT you will not have to take the knowledge or road tests IF:

  • Your driver's license is valid and unexpired.
  • Your license is from another U.S. state or territory, OR it's from France, South Korea, Taiwan or Germany.

If your license is from a country other than those listed above, you must take both the written and driving tests.

NOTE: If you have a valid learner license from one of the countries listed above and wish to upgrade to a license in Texas, you'll be required to take the road test but not the knowledge test.

New Military Residents

If you've just moved to TX and you are either active in or recently discharged from the military and your driver's license is expired, you might be able to skip the knowledge and driving tests IF:

  • You present a valid military ID card.
  • You present proof that your previous state that issued your license has a policy that lets military members drive with expired licenses.
    • Contact your previous state to see which documents will suffice.

Types of Texas Driver's Licenses

Texas offers the following full, non-commercial license types:

  • Class C:
    • The Class C license allows you to drive regular, noncommercial passenger cars and trucks weighing less than 26,001 lbs.
  • Noncommercial Class A:
    • The Noncommercial Class A license covers vehicles over 26,001 lbs. with towed vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs.
  • Noncommercial Class B:
    • You can drive a single vehicle with a gross weight of 26,001 lbs. or more. You can also tow a vehicle under 10,000 lbs. or a farm trailer less than 20,000 lbs. This license also authorizes you to drive a bus seating 24 passengers or more.

If you're interested in applying for another type of license, check out the following pages:

  • Teen Drivers
    • Covers licensing requirements for teen drivers, including Driver's Ed, permit, and testing requirements.
  • Motorcycles
    • Learn how to add a motorcycle endorsement onto your license.
  • Commercial Vehicles
    • Find out how to get your Class A, B, and C commercial driver license (CDL), as well as how to add endorsements.

Apply for Your New Texas Driver's License

Texas does not require drivers 18 years old and over to have a learner license prior to applying; however, if you are getting your license for the first time, you'll need to have a learner license to practice for your driving test. To learn all about getting a Texas learner's permit, please visit our Driver Permits in TX page.

Once you're ready to apply for your new driver's license, visit your local driver license office and:

  • Submit a completed Application for Texas Driver License or ID Card (Form DL-14A).
  • Present appropriate proof of ID. The TX DPS provides a full list of accepted documents, but expect to bring:
    • Proof of identity, which could include:
      • 1 primary document (e.g. passport, military ID, etc.).
        OR
      • 2 secondary documents (e.g. birth certificate, Certificate of Birth Abroad, etc.).
        OR
      • 1 secondary document AND 2 supporting documents (e.g. Social Security card, voter registration card, 1099, etc.).
    • Proof of Social Security number(e.g., Social Security card, W-2 or 1099)*.
    • Proof of lawful presence in the U.S. (e.g., birth certificate, I-94).
    • Proof of residency(2 documents) (e.g., current mortgage statement, medical card, etc.)*.
    *Note. Texas requires very specific documentation to prove identity, social security number and residency. Please check the state approved documents list to make sure you have the correct supporting documents.
  • If you are a new resident, present proof of TX vehicle registration.
  • Present proof of auto insurance for each vehicle you own OR an affidavit that you don't own a vehicle.
  • Surrender your out-of-state or out-of-country license (if applicable).
  • Present a certificate completion from a driver education course, if you are between 18 through 24 years old.
    • See “Driver Education Requirements' below if you are between 18 through 24 years old.
    • Proof of completion exempts you from taking the knowledge test.
    • This is NOT required for new residents transferring a valid, unexpired license from another state or country.
  • Pass the knowledge exam and driving test (unless you're exempt).*
  • Pay the $25 new driver's license fee.
    • Applicants 85 years old and over pay a $9 driver's license fee.
    • Disabled veterans may be able to waive the fee. (See “Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans' below.)

Once you've met all of the above requirements, you'll be issued a receipt which you can use to drive legally until your new license arrives. Your permanent Texas drivers license will be mailed to you within 3 weeks.

Your license expires 6 years after the issue date on your birthday.

* If you do not pass the knowledge and driving test on your first try, the driver license office will hold your application for 90 days, and you'll have 3 chances to pass the tests. If you do not pass the tests, you'll need to begin the driver's license application process over and pay a new fee.

Ace Your Exam on the First Try!

Don't leave your permit test to chance—take our free permit practice test with questions directly from the TX driver handbook. It's the fastest, easiest way to set yourself up for success!

NOTE: You may be able to schedule your appointment and/or driving test online; however, this option is not available for all offices. Check the Texas DPS online scheduling page to see if this is an option for your local office.

Driver Education Requirements

If you are applying for a first-time license in Texas and you're between 18 through 24 years old, you're required to take an adult driver education courseAND participate in the Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) program.

You have different options to take adultdriver education training.
The course is 6 hours and can be taken in a classroom or online. At the completion of the course you will be given a certificate of completion.

Online

The Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) program contains a 1 hour video broken up into 4 modules that you can view at your own pace. The ITYD program is offered for free by the Department of Public Safety.

For more information about the ITYD program, take a look at the Department of Public Safety's information page.

Military Veterans and Texas Driver's Licenses

If you are a veteran, you may qualify for a fee exemption (if disabled) and may be able to add a veteran designation to your new license.

Fee Exemption

If you are a disabled veteran, the Texas DPS will waive your driver's license feeIF:

  • You were honorably discharged from the military.
  • You are at least 60% disabled due to military service.
  • You are provided compensation from the U.S. due to your disability.

If you meet the above qualifications, you can get your fee waived by presenting one of the follow documents at the time of application to confirm your disability status:

  • A signed letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that confirms your disability status.
    OR
  • Official documentation that proving the conditions above.*

*If you get disability compensation but you don't have a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you'll need to provide verification of your disability by your military branch.

Order Drivers License Online Texas

Veteran Designation

Order New Driver's License Online Texas

You are eligible to get a veteran designation on your new Texas driver's license if you are a veteran who has been honorably discharged from one of the following U.S. military branches:

  • Army.
  • Air Force.
  • Navy.
  • Coast Guard.
  • Marine Corps.
  • TX National Guard.

To get the designation, present ONE of the following documents at your local driver license office:

  • DD-214.
  • DD-215.
  • NGB-22.
  • Letter from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs verifying your disability.

Non-Citizens and Texas Driver's Licenses

As a non-citizen, you will apply for a license in the same way as a U.S. citizen (see “Apply for Your TX Driver's License' above). However, you must prove lawful presence in the U.S. in order to obtain a driver license, and accepted documents vary based on your status.

The Texas DPS provides a full list of accepted documentation for you to check ahead of time to make sure you bring the right document(s).

You'll be issued a limited-term driver license if you are NOT one of the following:

  • U.S. citizen.
  • U.S. national.
  • Lawful permanent resident.
  • Refugee.
  • Asylee.

Limited-term licenses lapse on the DHS-determined expiration date of your lawful presence.

Forms

DL-14A
Application for Texas Driver License or Identification Card
Application for a Texas driver's license OR identification card.

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form
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