It’s that moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to get your Texas driver's license (or permit). You gather up your papers, wait in line at your local Texas DPS office, and pray you brought the right forms so you don’t have to repeat the whole process.
The checklists below will help you get organized so you can make this a one-and-done visit to the DPS.
Teens (Ages 15-17) Applying for a Learner License
If you’re a “teen driver” (meaning you’re between the ages of 15 and 17), here’s what you need when applying for your Learner License:
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence. The most common forms of citizenship/lawful presence proof include a valid passport, an original (or certified copy) of your U.S. birth certificate, a Citizenship Certificate, or a valid Permanent Residence card. Check the complete list of acceptable citizenship docs on the DPS website.
Proof of Texas Residency. You need two separate documents to confirm you live here. A current report card, for example, shows that you live locally. You might need help from a parent to come up with another form (like a utility bill, mortgage statement, apartment lease, or bank statement). Get the full list of acceptable proof of residence on the DPS website.
Proof of Identity. If you have a passport or Texas ID card, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you might need to bring multiple secondary ID documents or supporting ID documents.
Proof of Your Social Security Number. Your Social Security card will work. But there are other options available if you can’t find that card.
Texas Driver's Ed Certificate. AKA Form DE-964 or DE-964E. This is sent to you by your driver's ed provider once you complete your coursework.
Verification of Enrollment (VOE). This paperwork proves you're currently attending school and your grades and attendance are decent. You need to fill it out and get it signed by somebody at your school’s administrative office. Ask for it a week or so before your DPS appointment so the school admin has time to get it to you.
Your Parent or Legal Guardian. They need to be present. If you’re taking Texas Parent Taught Drivers Ed, this should be the person who officially designated themselves as your instructor.
Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance. Your parent or guardian needs to show they legally own and insure their vehicle. If they don’t own a vehicle, they can sign a statement saying so.
$16 Learner License Fee. Cash, credit, check, big ‘ol pile of quarters, or money order.
Additional Forms Required for Parent-Taught Driver's Ed Students
If you’re taking Parent Taught Driver’s Ed, you’ll get a bunch of forms included in your state-issued PTDE packet that you'll need to complete and submit to the DPS to apply for your learner permit. If you don’t have the packet yet, you can request it online. The forms include:
DL-90A (Appendix D). The Classroom Instruction Education Affidavit. This is where your parent confirms that you completed the required educational hours either in a classroom, online, or in the Aceable Drivers Ed app.
DL-91A (Appendix E). The Classroom Instruction Log. This shows when you did your six hours of study (if you’re doing the Concurrent Method) or 24 hours of study (if you did the Block Method). Here's more info on filling out the packet forms according to the Concurrent Method or the Block Method.
DL-5 (Appendix L). The Texas Residency Affidavit. This is only required if your parent can’t provide traditional proof of Texas residency).
Teens (Ages 16-17) Applying for a License
When you’re ready to apply for your driver's license (officially, you’re provisional driver license at this age), you’ll need to bring a lot of the same stuff you brought when you were getting your permit. Just keep all of these items together in a folder or envelope so it’s available.
You’ll also need all this stuff:
The Driver License Application. You can get this online, fill it out at home, and bring it with you to save time at the DPS.
DE-964 License Certificate. Your driver’s ed provider will send you this form once you successfully finish the course.
Certificate of Completion. You'll get this if you attended driving school or did Instructor Taught Drivers Ed.
Your Permit. You need to have had this for at least six months before applying for your license.
Proof that You Recently Completed the ITTD Program. This is a free, mandatory two-hour video course. Your certificate will be valid for 90 days, so make sure you don’t take ITTD too far in advance of applying for your license.
Updated VOE. The DPS wants to know that you’re still going to school. Again, request this from your school admin office at least a week before your DPS appointment.
Your Parent or Legal Guardian. You still need to hitch a ride there anyway, right?
A Road-Ready Vehicle for Your Driving Test. This vehicle needs two license plates (front and back), current registration and inspection stickers, and proof of insurance.
Additional Forms Required for Parent-Taught Driver's Ed Students
Students of Parent Taught Driver’s Ed also need to bring the following forms from your PTDE packet.
DL-91A (Appendix E). Completed Classroom Instruction Log. This shows that you’ve finished the classroom (or online) course hours.
DL-91B (Appendix F). The Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log. This is a record of when you completed 14 hours of instruction in a vehicle.
DL-91B (Appendix G). The Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log. This shows when you got your 30 hours of supervised driving practice.
DL-90B (Appendix I). The Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Driver Education Affidavit. This needs to be signed by your parent instructor to confirm that they completed the training with you.
Worried about accurately tracking your driving time? The Aceable app can track all your hours and print out your logs for the DPS. Hurray for less manual tracking!
Adults (18+) Applying for a Permit/Restricted License
If you're a new driver age 18 and older in Texas, you can choose to skip straight to the driving exam and apply for your regular driver's license. But if you have no driving experience because, well, you’ve never been licensed...that’s okay. Getting a permit is a great way to work on your skills under the supervision of a licensed driver (age 21 or older) before you take the driving test.
If you’re 18-24 years old, you will apply for a Texas permit. If you’re 25 or older, you will apply for a License with B-Restriction, which is just a different name for a permit. The application items you’ll need are the same for both permit types.
Application for Driver License or Identification Card. Form DL-14A; download it, fill it out at home, and bring the completed form with you to save time at the DPS.
Proof of Identity. If you have a passport or Texas ID card, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you might need to bring multiple secondary ID documents or supporting ID documents.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence. The most common forms of citizenship/lawful presence proof include a valid passport, an original (or certified copy) of your U.S. birth certificate, a Citizenship Certificate, or a valid Permanent Residence card. Check the complete list of acceptable citizenship docs on the DPS website.
Your Social Security Card. If you can’t find the original hardcopy card, you’ll need to order a new one. If you haven’t been issued a Social Security number, you’ll need to fill out the Social Security Affidavit at the DPS office.
Proof of Texas residency. Bring two forms of proof, such as a deed, mortgage statement, valid and unexpired Texas voter registration card, or utility bills.
Proof of Name Change (If Applicable). If you’re using a name other than the one on your birth certificate, bring your marriage license, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change.
Proof of Texas Vehicle Registration and Financial Responsibility (AKA car insurance). You need this for each vehicle you own. It’s fine if the insurance is in someone else’s name. If you don’t have a car, you just need to note that on the application.
Certificate of Completion of an Adult Driver's Ed Course. Your course provider will mail this to you. If you’ve already passed the written knowledge test as part of the course, your certificate will have a ‘P’ showing that you’ve passed. You won’t have to take the test again at the DPS!
Adults (18+) Applying for a License
You’re an adult who’s about to get more adult-y with a shiny new driver's license! Here’s what you need:
All the Same Docs Listed Above for Adults Applying for a Permit. Whether you got your permit or skipped straight to this step, you’ll need to show all of that at the DPS when applying for your license.
Proof that You Recently Completed the ITAD Program. This is a free, mandatory one-hour video course. Your certificate will be valid for 90 days, so make sure you don’t take ITTD too far in advance of applying for your license.
Another $33 Driver License Fee. Just assume there’s a fee any time you step foot in the DPS.
Get a Custom Document Checklist
Look, this is a lot. We know. If you are at all unsure about the docs you need, visit the Texas DPS REAL ID Checklist generator. This tool will ask you questions about your specific circumstances, and then create a custom list of the items you will need.
Enroll in Your Texas Driver's Ed Course Today!
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Updated 10/02/24