Texas Driver’s License and Texas State ID

International students and scholars who will be in the U.S. for longer than 30 days and plan to drive a car should obtain a Texas Driver’s License at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Basic requirements for a driver’s license include access to a car, knowledge of Texas driving regulations, and testable driving skills. Please note that you must provide your own vehicle when taking the driving test.

 Texas Photo ID

Students who do not plan to drive in the U.S. may apply for a Texas Photo Identification Card at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This card cannot be used for driving. These photo ID cards are official documents that are used to prove a person’s identity when an ID is required. Note: You may not hold both a DL or an ID card.

Driver’s License

  • Texas driver licenses are managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
  • Licenses need to be renewed on a yearly basis. Note: Previously, international students may have been issued a license with a longer expiration. If this is the case, your license is valid until the expiration date on the license card.
  • International Students and Scholars may drive with a valid, unexpired driver’s license from another state or country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas. You may also use an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to drive up to 90 days. Note: An IDP in Texas only lasts for a maximum of 90 days. After that 90-day period has expired, you will need a Texas driver license to continue driving.

NOTE: F-1 students with an expired Employment Authorization Document (EAD), who are pending approval of either a STEM OPT Extension or H-1B Cap-Gap, will be unable to renew their license until the application is approved.

Refer to Texas DPS’s Guide for First Time DL/ID Applicants for detailed information. Note: You may apply at any of the Texas DPS license offices after you have resided in Texas for at least 30 days. If you have unexpired licenses from other states, you are exempt from this 30-day requirement.

Special note: The state of Texas passed a rule in March 2010 that anyone age 18 through 24 who does not have a valid driver license from another state or country must complete an approved driver education course and a driving skills test to become a licensed driver in Texas.

  • DL-14A – Application for Driver’s License or ID
  • Application Fee
  • Proof of Lawful Presence
  • Proof of Residency – you must provide at least 2 of the following documents indicating matching addresses that are less than 90 days old but at least 30 days old:
    • Bank Statements, Rental Contract, Pre-printed checks, Insurance policies, phone bill, enrollment letter/transcript
  • Proof of Identity
    • Passport
  • Proof of Social Security Number – If you are not eligible for an SSN, you may complete an affidavit at the DPS. Please refer to the DPS SSN Webpage for more information.
  • Vehicle Documentation
    • Insurance for each vehicle you own
    • Evidence of Texas Vehicle registration for each vehicle you own
    • Front and Back of License Plate
  • Submit your completed DL-14A application along with all other required documents
  • Pass the vision exam
  • Pass the written exam
  • Pass the driving exam – schedule after passing the written test

Reminders:

  • If you do not receive your license within 60 days, please follow up with the DPS office.
  • You should notify DPS and ISO within 10 days of any address changes. You will need to stop by a DPS location in person to update the address on your driver’s license or state ID.
  • Always carry your driver’s license when driving