What Do You Take To Texas DPS To Get Your Learner License

If you live in Texas, then you know the driver's license process comes in different phases. When it comes to teen drivers, there are two phases of licensing before you can graduate to a full driver's license. This process is called the Graduated Driver License Program.

Applying For Learner License

Your first phase consists of obtaining a learner license, which allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult before you graduate to the next level. To be eligible for a learner license, you must be between 15 and 17 years of age and completed Driver's Ed.

If you meet that criteria, then you can head to your local Texas DPS office and apply for a learner license. To be issued that learner license, you must bring the following documentation with you:

1. Application for an Original Texas Driver License

Make sure to print this application and bring it with you.

2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Evidence of Lawful Presence

You must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or lawful presence in the United States. Valid documents include:

• Birth certificate from a US state or local government, a US territory, or the District of Columbia
• Current passport
• Permanent Resident card
• Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa

3. Proof of Residency

You must provide two documents to prove you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days. If you are unable to provide two documents from the list, you may submit a Texas residency affidavit from someone who resides at the same address along with proper identification and two documents for proof of residency.

The documents must show your name and the Texas residential or physical address. Acceptable forms include:

• Current deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or a residential lease.
• Mail from a federal, state, county, or city government agency dated within 90 days of the application date.
• Current homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy or statement.
• Current documents issued by the US Military indicating residential address.
• Electric, water, natural gas, satellite television, cable television, or non-cellular telephone statement dated within 90 days of the application date.
• Mail from a financial institution; including checking, savings, investment account, or credit card statements dated within 90 days of the application date.
• Medical or health card
• W-2 or 1099 tax form from the current year
• Current automobile payment booklet
• Selective Service card
• Current automobile insurance policy or statement
• TDCJ document indicating recent release or parole
• Texas high school, college, or university report card or transcript for the current school year
• Current Form DS-2019, I-20, or a document issued by USCIS (non-CDL only)
• Preprinted paycheck or pay stub dated within 90 days of the application date
• Valid, unexpired registration: Texas voter registration card, motor vehicle registration or title, boat registration or title
• Concealed handgun license
• License to carry

4. Proof of Identity

You are going to have to prove to them that you are actually who you say you are. Examples of acceptable documents include:

• U.S. birth certificate
• Unexpired U.S. passport
• Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa
• U.S. citizen Identification card
• Permanent Resident Card
• Official U.S. Armed Forces Identification Card

5. Proof of Social Security Number

For the learner license application, you will need to provide proof of your social security number. This can be done with the actual social security card, a W-2 or paystub containing your legal name and social security number.

6. Proof of Insurance for each vehicle you own

You must provide the Texas DPS with proof of insurance for every vehicle you own. If you do not own a vehicle, you may sign a statement at the office affirming this.

7. Proof of Completion for Driver Education

You must provide a certificate of completion for the classroom portion of driver education you received from your course provider. You must have completed the first six hours of the driver education classroom instruction if you are using the concurrent method or all 32 hours of classroom instruction if you are using the block method.

8. Verification of Enrollment and Attendance in School or its equivalent

You must provide evidence you are currently enrolled and attending school or have since graduated or obtained your GED certificate.

• VOE requires a signature (a stamped or computer generated signature of the school official is acceptable), and
• Is valid for 30 days from issuance, or
• Is valid for 90 days from issuance between the months of June through August, or
• A current report card for the most recent school year

9. Evidence of successfully passing the driver knowledge exam

If you have not taken this test during the classroom portion of driver education, you will take it at the driver license office.

10. Issuance Fee

You will have to pay the learner license fee, which is currently $16.

Your driver's license is just beginning, so you want to be prepared at every step along the way. Once Phase 1 is complete, you will move into Phase 2, which we will have instructions on that coming soon!