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IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AS PER TEXAS STATE LAW FOR NON-RESIDENT • valid passport, I-20 (with a program end date at least 6 months into the future), and any valid US
visa,
• Social Security Card (or Social Security Affidavit form available at the TXDPS branch if you do not have a SSN),
• Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance (if you already have a car),
• Proof of Texas residency of at least 30 days unless surrendering out of state license
If you live on campus: provide a notarized letter from UNT Housing Department stating that you live on campus and the date when you became a resident.
If you live off campus: provide 2 documents proving your residency, one of which must prove that you have been at that address for at least 30 days: a lease agreement, utility bill dated within 90 days, mail from a government agency dated within 90 days, current I-20, paycheck stub or bank statement dated within 90 days. Complete list on www.txdps.state.tx.us. Take the above documents to the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Office, complete the required forms and pay the relevant fees to apply for a written test or driving test.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 24, you are required by Texas State Law to complete an approved driver education course (Adult Driver Education and Safety Course) before your application for a driver’s license in Texas. You must submit a certificate proving that you have successfully completed a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency. Information with regards to the education course can be found in the last page.
Conditions for Application
1. If you already have an international driver’s license or a driver’s license from your own country, it is good for one year after your arrival in the U.S.A. (ages 18-75), although a Texas Driver’s License is preferred by the Department of Public Safety and the Texas law enforcement officers.
o Individuals who hold a valid, unexpired driver license from Canada, France, South Korea or Germany do not have to take the knowledge or driving tests when applying for TX driver’s license.
o Individuals who hold a valid, unexpired learner license from Canada, France, South Korea or Germany have to take the driving test but not the knowledge test.
o Individuals who hold a driver license from any country other than the U.S., Canada, France, South Korea or Germany must take the knowledge and driving tests because Texas does not have reciprocity agreements with other countries.
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2. If you already have a current valid Driver’s license from another state in the United States, it is good for only 30 days in the state of Texas. Before the 30 days expires, go to the Texas Driver’s License Office.
a) Show that your car’s registration has been transferred from the other state to Texas (you will need a Texas registration receipt, which you can get form the Denton County Tax Office at 1510 E. McKinney, phone 940-349-3510).
b) Show proof of car insurance meeting Texas requirements. c) Provide out-of-state license.
d) Take the eye vision test. e) Valid passport with valid visa.
Note: If your out-of-state license has already expired, you will need to take the vision, written, & driving test.
3. To get a motorcycle driver’s license: Take the written test and then make an appointment to take the driving test. You must have your own motorcycle and another person in another car for the examiner to ride in. Both vehicles must have state inspections and proof of insurance.
4. If you have never had a driver’s license here in the U.S. (or in Texas)…
You need to take a written test first, available in English or Spanish. No appointment is necessary. After passing the written test and getting a driver’s permit (which allows you to drive in a car with a licensed driver in the front seat), you have one year from your next birthday to make an appointment to take the driving test.
You can no longer make an appointment by telephone to take the driving test. You must go to the Driver’s License office and make an appointment in person.
Tests/Permits/Licenses
Written Test: The written test allows you to get a Driver’s Permit. If you fail your written test, you have 90 days time to take it again. You can take it a maximum of 3 times in 90 days. If you don’t pass it within 90 days, you will have to pay again to take the test.
o To study for the written test, you can go to:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/DL-7.pdf
Once you have passed the written test, you are eligible to apply for a Learner’s permit if you have not specified that in your application form.
Learner’s License: It is good for one year from your next birthday, and allows you to practice driving with a licensed driver age 21 and above in the passenger seat of the car.
Before you take the Driving Test, you will have to be at a Texas Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Office to schedule an appointment for your driving test and also must show the following documents:
a) Proof of insurance (liability insurance) meeting TX insurance requirements b) Valid passport with valid visa
c) Current Texas state inspection sticker on your windshield
d) Certificate proving that you have successfully completed a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency.
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Prices (may change at any time):
For more information, visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/fees.htm
Driver License & Identification Card Fee
Original Driver License
(under 18 yrs of age)
(age 18 and above)
(age 85 and above) Must visit a Texas driver license office and for Motorcycle class add 15.00 to the fee
$16.00 $25.00
$9.00 Driver License Renewal
(under 18 yrs of age) (age 18 and above)
(age 85 and above)
For Motorcycle class add $8.00 to the fee
$6.00 $25.00 $9.00
Learner License $16.00
Driver License Examination $11.00
DL / Instruction Permit Duplicates
(Replacement of lost, stolen DL/Permit or change of name, or remove restriction on DL or Learner license)
$11.00
CDL Examination (upgrade or add endorsements)
Per exam $11.00
Motorcycle Renewal
(under 18 yrs of age) (18 yrs of age and above)
Add appropriate Driver/Commercial license renewal fee
$8.00 $8.00
Motorcycle Examination $15.00
Nearest location of Texas Department of Public Safety
Driver’s License Office (TX Dept of Public Safety)820 North Loop 288 (Near University Drive/Highway 380) Denton, TX Phone: 940-484-6666
Hours: 8-5 Monday through Friday, closed holidays.
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Identification Requirements for a
Texas Driver License or Identification Certificate
A driver license is no longer used solely as a document demonstrating authorization to drive. The driver license or identification certificates are the nationally accepted form of identification and both are used daily to establish identity at airports, banks, when writing checks, voting, or applying for governmental aid. Due to their extensive use as a person's primary source of identity the department has the responsibility to
correctly determine an applicant's identity.
All original applicants for a Texas driver license or identification certificate must present proof of identity satisfactory to the department. All applicants for a driver license must also provide their social security card.
o Note: If you do not have a Social Security Number, you must complete a Social Security Affidavit form available at the driver license office.
All documents must be verifiable by the source that issued the document.
There are three categories of documents that may be presented to establish proof of identity. Every original applicant must present:
• one piece of primary identification; or
• one piece of secondary identification plus two pieces of support identification; or • two pieces of secondary identification.
Primary Identification:
These items are complete within themselves and require no supporting instruments: These documents must contain the applicant's complete name, photo and full date of birth.
Secondary Identification:
These items are recorded governmental documents (United States, one of the fifty states, a United States territory, District of Columbia, or Canadian province). It would be either a Federal or state issued Certificate of Birth or a court order from the abovementioned states/provinces.
Supporting Identification:
These items consist of other records or documents that aid examining personnel in establishing the identity of the applicant. The following items are not all inclusive. The examining or supervisory personnel may determine that an unlisted document meets the department's needs in establishing identity.
**For complete and up-to-date information, visit
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Adult Driver Education and Safety Course
As of March 1, 2010, driver license applicants between the ages of 18 and 24 must complete an approved driver education course and a driving skills test to become a licensed driver in Texas. Applicants must submit a certificate proving successful completion of a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency under Sections 1001.101 (a) (1), 1001.101 (a) (2), or 1001.1015, Texas Education Code.
Senate Bill 1317, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature in 2009, created this requirement and authorized the development of a six-hour adult driver education course to meet the needs of this group of drivers.
Applicants presenting proof of successful completion of an approved course under Sections 1001.101 (a) (2) or 1001.1015 are not required to submit to the written highway signs and traffic laws test, if these parts have been successfully completed as part of the driver education course, but must still pass the driving skills examination.
The provisions of this law apply only to a first-time Texas driver license applicant. Persons presenting a valid license from another jurisdiction are not required to submit proof of completion of an approved course. A driving safety course or drug and alcohol driving awareness program are not acceptable to meet this requirement. A list of approved courses is available on the Texas Education Agency website at:
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/drive/DriverEducation.html.
This change in law does not affect applicants ages 15 to 17, who are still required to complete a driver education course to be licensed.