Texas - Apply for Learner License

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Procedure

1. Visit a driver licensing office and bring the following:
   1. Everything needed to meet regular licensing requirements (documents that verify identity, Social Security Number, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence status, and Texas residency)
   2. A parent or legal guardian
   3. A completed Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) or a high school diploma or GED
   4. Signed, original form to verify the required classroom hours of driver education has been satisfied (forms are available from the driving instructor or in the PTDE packet)
2. Submit a completed application along with all the required documents.
3. Pay the fee.

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Required Documents

Driver's License:

• U.S. Citizenship or, if you are not a U.S. Citizen, evidence of lawful presence - LINK
• Texas Residency - LINK
• Identity, and
• Social Security Number
• Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration* for each vehicle you own. (New Residents who are surrendering an out-of-state driver license only)
• Proof of Insurance [Note 1] for each vehicle you own

Note:

1. If you do not own a vehicle, you will sign a statement affirming this.

Learner License Application Checklist

Proof of Identity

Three ways an applicant can verify his/her identity:

1. Present one item listed in the Primary Identity Documents category or
2. Present two items listed in the Secondary Identity Documents category or
3. Present one item listed in the Secondary Identity Documents category and two documents listed in the Supporting Identity Documents category

Information on the documents, such as name and date of birth, must all match. If the name is different on each document, then the applicant must provide documents that verify a legal name change. If other information on the document is different, speak with a Customer Service Representative for assistance. If you are using a name other than what is on your birth certificate, (example: married name), you will be required to show legal documentation of name change. Documents must be original or certified copy. Certified documents should not be laminated. No photocopies can be accepted.

Acceptable documents:

• Marriage license
• Divorce decree
• Court ordered name change

Because the state of Texas does not recognize same-sex marriage, DPS cannot accept same-sex marriage licenses. Documents listed in any of the following categories may be expired unless otherwise noted.

Note: You may download a brochure listing all of the following documents LINK

Primary Identity Documents

An applicant can present one primary document. No other documents are required to verify identity if ONE primary document is provided.

• Texas driver license or Texas identification card not expired more than 2 years
• Proof of citizenship will be required if not previously established
• Unexpired U.S. passport book or card
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (N-560, N-561, N-645, N-550, N-55G, N-570 or N-578)
• Unexpired Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services document with verifiable data and identifiable photo, such as one of the following:
• U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
• Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
• Foreign passport with attached temporary I-551 (immigrant visa endorsed with ADIT stamp)
• Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
• Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
• Advance Parole Document (I-512 or I-512L)
• I-94 stamped Sec. 208 Asylee with photo
• I-94 stamped Sec. 207 Refugee with photo
• Refugee Travel Letter with photo, stamped by Customs and Border Protection
• American Indian Card (I-872)
• Northern Mariana card (I-873)
• Foreign passport with attached visa and Form I-94
• Unexpired U.S. military ID card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel with identifiable photo

Secondary Identity Documents

Applicants who do not have a primary document can present two secondary documents. No other documents are required to verify identity if TWO secondary documents are provided.

• Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province

Note: Because Puerto Rican statute provides that Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are no longer valid, the Department cannot recognize these birth certificates as proof of identification or lawful presence. To know more LINK.

• For U.S. citizens born abroadCertificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) issued by the U.S. Department of State
• Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating a name and/or gender change from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province

Supporting Identity Documents

Applicants who do not have a primary document or two secondary documents can provide ONE secondary document (from the list above) and TWO supporting documents.

• Social security card
• Form W-2 or 1099
• Driver license or ID card issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province (unexpired or expired less than two years)*
• Texas driver license or ID card that has been expired more than two years
• Temporary receipt for a Texas driver license or ID card
• School records* (e.g., report cards, photo ID cards)
• Unexpired U.S. military dependent identification card
• Original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree (if the document is not in English, a certified translation must accompany it)
• Voter registration card*
• Pilot license*
• Concealed handgun license or License to Carry*
• Professional license issued by a Texas state agency
• ID card issued by a government agency*
• Consular document issued by a state or national government
• Texas Inmate ID card or similar form of ID issued by Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole or mandatory release certificate
• Federal inmate identification card
• Federal parole or release certificate
• Medicare or Medicaid card
• Selective Service card
• Immunization records*
• Tribal membership card from federally-recognized tribe
• Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
• Unexpired foreign passport
• Unexpired insurance policy valid for the past two years (e.g., auto, home or life insurance)
• Current Texas vehicle registration or title
• Current Texas boat registration or title
• Veteran's ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Abstract (shortened) birth certificate
• Hospital-issued birth record*
• Military records (e.g., Form DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22)

Note: *The document must be issued by an institution, entity or government from a U.S. state, a U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province.

Social Security Number (SSN)

The Department requires one of the following primary documents for evidence of social security number for Texas driver license and identification card issuance. The document presented can be expired or unexpired but must have the individual's full SSN printed on it. Documentation must be unaltered originals, not copies.

• Social Security Card
• W-2
• SSA-1099 Form
• A non-SSA-1099 form, or
• Paystub with the applicant's name and SSN on it.

Should an individual be unable to provide one of the documents listed above, the Department will accept any of the following documents as evidence of social security number.

• Military identification (active, reserve, and dependent status)

Must contain applicant’s social security number

• Certificate of release or Discharge of Active Duty (DD-214)
• Certified college/university transcript designating number as SSN
• Documents such as health insurance cards, Veteran's Administration cards, and pilot's licenses with identifiable SSN may be accepted.

Individuals Who Don't Have a SSN

Teen Driver Education Requirements

Required forms:

• Driver training school: Texas Driver Education Certificate (DE-964)
• Parent-taught driver education (PTDE): Texas Driver Education Certificate (DE-964)
• Public high school: Texas Driver Education Certificate (DE-964E)

Office Locations & Contacts

Texas Department of Public Safety
5805 North Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78752-4431

Mailing Address:
PO Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0001

Search for Driver License Offices

Eligibility

Individuals may apply who are at least 15 years of age, meet the regular licensing requirements and have completed the required classroom hours of driver education.

Fees

• Learner license—under 18 (New): $16
• Learner license for motorcycle (Class M) only Under 18 : $16

Other learner related fees

Note: A $1 administrative fee is included in the following fee amounts. The $1 administrative fee is not charged for transactions conducted through the mail.

Validity

A learner license expires on the applicant's 18th birthday and requires a licensed adult 21 years of age or older to occupy the front seat when driving.

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

Please provide instructions on obtaining the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Complete name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Eye, hair color
• Race/ethnicity
• Height, weight
• Place of birth
• Parent's name
• Contact information
• Address

Need for the Document

A learners license allows a new driver to practice driving before obtaining a provisional license.

Following is a procedure on how you can apply for a learner license in Texas.