Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 1: Your License to Drive 

Texas Driver Handbook

Organ Donation

DPS offers “Donate Life Texas” pamphlets to any person who visits a driver license office. The pamphlets provide general informa-

tion on the Donate Life Texas program. If you choose to be an organ donor, a small red heart with the word “donor” will be printed 

in the lower right corner on the front of the card. Cards that indicate a person’s wish to be a donor shall be conclusive evidence of a 

decedent’s status as a donor and serve as consent for organ, tissue, and eye donation. You can register to be an organ, tissue, and eye 

donor online at www.DonateLifeTexas.org.

Voluntary Contributions

If you are applying for an original or renewal driver license or ID card, you can voluntarily make a monetary contribution to the 

following programs:

1.  The Blindness Education, Screening, and Treatment Program administered by the Texas Commission for the Blind, which 

provides screening and treatment for those individuals who are without adequate medical coverage.

2.  The Glenda Dawson Donate Life Texas Program, which manages the donor registry and statewide donor education projects.

3.  The Veteran’s Assistance Fund, which provides grants to local government and nonprofit organizations to enhance or improve 

veteran assistance programs that address the needs of veterans and their families.

How to Obtain a Texas Driver License

If you are applying for a Texas driver license, you must comply with the following procedures. 

Applying for a Texas Driver License

An application for a driver license must be made in person. You can obtain an application at any driver license office or download 

an application from our website at www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm.

All in-office applicants are provided an opportunity to complete a voter registration application.

All men 18-25 years of age who are U.S. citizens or immigrants are automatically registered for selective service upon issuance of 

an ID card or driver license.

Required Documents and Application Information

To apply for a Texas driver license, you must provide the following documents and information.

1.  Your full name, proof of residential address, mailing address, current county of residence, place of birth, and date of birth

2.  Identification documents

3.  Social security card or other acceptable evidence of a social security number

4.  Thumb or index fingerprints 

5.  Physical description

6.  Answer the medical status and history questions listed on the application. Individuals with certain medical limitations may have 

their cases reviewed by the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) before the license is issued

7.  Surrender any valid out-of-state driver license

8.  U.S. citizenship status or lawful presence

For additional information and lists of acceptable documents, visit our website,  

www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm.

Driver Record

A complete record of all your examinations will be recorded on your application and scanned into the Driver License System where 

it becomes a part of your permanent driving record. Any convictions for moving traffic violations or crashes, including out of state 

records of convictions, will be recorded as part of your permanent driving record. To find out more information on driver records 

and how to obtain a copy of your record, visit http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/driverrecords.htm.

Evidence of Financial Responsibility (Vehicle Insurance)

When applying for an original driver license, you must provide evidence of financial responsibility or a statement that you do not 

own a motor vehicle that requires the maintenance of financial responsibility.

Evidence of financial responsibility must meet at least the minimum amount required by Texas and cover each motor vehicle the 

applicant owns that requires maintenance of financial responsibility.

Vehicle Registration

When surrendering an out-of-state driver license, a new Texas resident must submit, with a driver license application, evidence that 

each motor vehicle owned by the person is currently registered in Texas, or indicate they do not own a motor vehicle required to 

be registered. A registration receipt issued by the county tax assessor-collector of the county in which the new resident resides is 

satisfactory evidence that your motor vehicle has been registered in Texas.

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Chapter 1: Your License to Drive 

Texas Driver Handbook

Fees

The required fee(s) must be submitted before any exams will be given for an original Texas driver license. An additional $1 admin-

istrative fee is included in most transactions. However, if you are completing multiple transactions at the same time, either in-person 

or online, you will only be charged the $1 administrative fee once. A $1 administrative fee is not charged for transactions made 

through the mail. 

For more information on all fees, refer to Appendix D of this handbook or visit our website,  

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/fees.htm.

Driver Education

Individuals less than 25 years of age are required to 

successfully complete an approved driver education course. 

For more information on licensing requirements for applicants 

less than 25 years of age, visit our website at  

www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm.

Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD)

Beginning September 1, 2015, an applicant must complete 

the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) program if he or she 

completes a teen driver education course, is issued a certificate 

of completion (DE-964), and takes the driving exam on or 

after that date.  

For more information visit the ITTD website,  

https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov

Minors

If you are less than 18 years of age, your application must be signed, under oath, by the parent or guardian with custody. If there is 

not a guardian, your employer or county judge may sign the application. The person who signs may ask DPS to cancel your license 

any time before your 18th birthday. This request must be in writing and sworn to before an officer authorized to administer oaths. 

In addition, the minor applicant and cosigner must acknowledge receipt of information that explains the zero tolerance law. See 

Chapter 10: Alcohol and Drugs Impact on the Driving Ability for more information.

Examinations

Before any exams are given, you must pay the required fee. Your picture will be taken and you will be given a payment receipt. If 

you do not pass the knowledge and driving exams on your first attempt, your application will be held for 90 days. After 90 days or 

three failed exams, a new application and fee will be required.

The knowledge and driving exams are not required for applicants 18 years of age and older who surrender a valid out-of-state 

license. After you have passed all applicable exams you will be issued a temporary license, which you may use for 45 days or until  

you receive your permanent license in the mail. If you do not receive your license in 45 days, contact our customer service center at 

[phone] or www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/customer_service/.

Part 1: The Knowledge exam

As part of the Less Tears More Years Act, all applicants less than 25 years of age are required to take a driver education course to 

apply for a driver license. Upon successful completion of certain courses, the person is not required to take the Class C knowledge 

exam, also known as the written exam.

There are three types of knowledge exams.

1.  Class C – Knowledge exam for all original applicants

2.  Class M – Motorcycle road rules for motorcycle. This exam is also required for all moped license applicants. The exam for 

all other Class M applicants is waived if you successfully complete a motorcycle operator training course and present proof of 

completion.

3.  Class A or Class B – Rules exam for operators of Class A and Class B vehicles

You need a grade of 70 percent or better to pass any knowledge exam.

Part 2: The Vision Examination

Your vision will be examined when you are at the driver license office. Depending on the results, you may be required to wear 

corrective lenses while driving if the lenses improve your vision and help increase the safety of your driving. If the results are 

inconclusive, you may be referred to your doctor.

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