How to get a Driving License in Texas (merged)

[ND17 18]

Does anyone have experience with getting a Texas driving license?

I've been reading https://www.dps.texas.gov/.../how-apply-texas-driver-license but I'm still very confused. Would love someone whose been through the process in the last few years, to explain exactly what I need to do.

[Timona 4,207]

What's confusing? All you need is to provide either:

1. A or

2. B + C

[ND17 18]

I really struggled with finding the correct information and got very confused. The Texas DPS website (https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license) can be hard to decipher and understand so I thought I'd write what I did to help someone else. I managed to get this done within 7 weeks of entering Texas (11 May 2023).

 

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR CLASS C LICENSE ROAD TEST

• Proof of ID (I used my passport)
• PROOF OF LEGAL RESIDENCY - Endorsed I-551 stamped Visa or Green card
• 2 x proof of residency (I used a water bill and a bank account). If you're struggling with this you can use a Texas Residency Affidavit. The person you live with can sign this and give you their proof of address. If you are not married or related to this person they must come with you to the DPS office.
• Impact Texas Drivers Certificate. This is a FREE 2 hour course found here https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov/ITAD/
• Proof of insurance and vehicle registration for the car you'll be using for the test. If you don't own one you can sign to attest to this.
• Pass the written test - What I did personally is took an online 6 hour Adult driving course which included doing the written test online too. I would recommend doing this as its a good way to learn the signs and road rules of Texas. The test was pretty easy and was 30 multiple choice questions. I paid $28 for this through this website https://nationalhighwaysafetyadministration.com/.../texas...

 

The test itself was super easy. It took about 10-15 minutes and was mainly stopping at stop signs, turning left and right onto roads and parallel parking between cones. 

I live in Dallas and currently most of the DPS offices here for license applications and road tests have a 3-5 month back up. You can sometimes get lucky and snag a cancellation appointment but its stressful constantly refreshing the website. You can do your test at any DPS office in Texas. I drove 2 hours away to Wichita Falls as they had lots of quick availability.

 

All DPS offices are appointment only, do not try to walk in. You book online through the DPS website I listed earlier.

 

If you want to do your test privately with a driving school YOU NEED A LEARNERS PERMIT FROM DPS first. I got scammed $70 by a drivers school that did not tell me this and I found it really hard to find information on if I did need a learners permit. Don't make my mistake!

 

You DO NOT need a Learners permit to do your test with DPS. It cost me $32 and your license is automatically issued after the test if you pass. You are given a temp paper License and get your official one in the post. 

 

I hope this helps someone else.

[millefleur 5,046]

**Threads on the same topic merged.**

 

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