Driver Licenses, IDs, and Records

Necessary documents typically include the following, but you can also use this interactive DPS document checklist to confirm you have what you need.   

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence 
• Proof of Texas residency 
• Proof of identity 

Please note: Texas law permits you to hold a driver license or an ID card, but not both. If you currently hold a driver license, you must surrender it when applying for an ID card.

To get an ID for the first-time, you can schedule an appointment online up to six months in advance. A limited number of same-day appointments are also available at most offices. Arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Your appointment will be cancelled if you arrive more than 30 minutes late.

*Please note: The Texas.gov Help Desk cannot make these appointments for you and they do not provide technical support for the DPS appointment scheduler application.

At the DPS office, you will: 

• Submit your completed application (available online or at the office) 
• Present your required documents 
• Provide your signature and thumbprints 
• Have your photo taken 
• Pay the application fee 

A vision exam and driving test are not required for an ID card.

You’ll receive a temporary ID card at the office. Make sure to review the printed information for accuracy before you leave. Your permanent ID card will arrive by mail.

CDL applicants must meet all standard Texas driver license requirements. You will also need to pass additional knowledge and skills tests specific to the CDL class (A, B, or C) and any endorsements you are seeking, such as Hazardous Materials, Passenger, or Tank Vehicle. 

Before you can take the CDL skills test, you may need to get a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) and complete Entry Level Driver Training. This is required if you’re:

• Applying for a CDL for the first time 
• Upgrading your existing CDL 
• Adding a passenger or school bus endorsement to an existing CDL 

To get a CLP, you’ll need to fill out the CDL application and bring it to a local DPS office, along with your required documents. 

Whether you're applying for a CDL or CPL, you must submit a CDL application and provide the following: 

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence 
• Proof of identity 
• Social Security Number 
• Self-certification of medical status 
• Medical examiner’s certificate 
• Evidence of Texas vehicle registration and proof of insurance for each vehicle you own 

You must also provide any endorsement-specific documentation.

To get a CDL, you can schedule an appointment online up to six months in advance. A limited number of same-day appointments are also available at most offices. Arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Your appointment will be cancelled if you arrive more than 30 minutes late.

*Please note: The Texas.gov Help Desk cannot make these appointments for you and they do not provide technical support for the DPS appointment scheduler application.

At the DPS office, you will:

• Submit your completed application 
• Present your required documents 
• Provide your signature and thumbprints 
• Have your photo taken 
• Pay the application fee 
• Pass a vision exam 
• Pass the knowledge exam

Once you’ve had your CLP for 14 days, you can take your skills test. Schedule an appointment at one of the CDL skills testing locations. You must provide your own commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for the driving test, and it must be representative of the type of CLP you hold. 

You’ll get a temporary CDL at the office. This allows you to drive legally right away. Make sure to review the printed information for accuracy before you leave. Your permanent CDL card will arrive by mail.

You must meet these requirements to renew your DL or CDL online:

• You renewed your license in person last time
• You have a Class C, M, or CM driver license or any class CDL without a hazardous material (Hazmat) endorsement. 
• Your license either expires within 2 years or has been expired for less than two years.
• You will be 18 within 30 days and hold a provisional license.
• You are under 79 years of age.
• Your vision, physical, and mental health have not significantly impacted your driving ability since the last renewal. 
• You have a valid medical certificate on file (CDL only).
• Your license is valid (not suspended, revoked, canceled, denied, or disqualified) with no outstanding warrants or tickets.  To verify your eligibility, visit our License Eligibility page.
• You are a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number on your record.

You must meet these requirements to renew your ID online:

• You renewed your ID in person last time.
• Your ID expires within 2 years or has been expired for less than 2 years.
• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You are a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number on your record.

If you're eligible to complete services online per DPS requirements, here are your options. 

Online with TxT

Skip the trip! Use TxT, the state's official digital assistant and your account for Texas government services. Create an account if you don't already have one, link your driver license or ID, and take care of your transaction in just minutes. You'll receive an email confirmation that will serve as your temporary license/ID and DPS will mail your permanent DL or ID card to you. Expect that to take about two to three weeks. 

Take care of your DL/ID services on TxT

By phone 

If you qualify to renew online, you can also renew by phone. Call 1-866-DL-RENEW (1-866-357-3639) to complete your renewal, replacement, or address change.  

If you’re not eligible for online services, you can schedule an appointment online up to six months in advance. A limited number of same-day appointments are also available at most offices. Arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Your appointment will be cancelled if you arrive more than 30 minutes late.

*Please note: The Texas.gov Help Desk cannot make these appointments for you and they do not provide technical support for the DPS appointment scheduler application.

If you’re renewing online or by phone, you will need to provide information from your current DL or ID. You also need a credit card to pay the fee. 

If you’re renewing at a DPS office, you will:  

• Complete an application 
• Present your required documents 
• Provide your signature and thumbprints 
• Have your photo taken 
• Pay the renewal fee 
• Pass a vision exam 

If you completed your DL/ID service online or by phone, you'll receive an email confirmation that will serve as your temporary DL/ID. Make sure to review the information for accuracy. Your permanent DL/ID card will arrive by mail.

If you completed your DL/ID service in a DPS office, you'll receive your temporary DL/ID there. Make sure to review the printed information for accuracy before you leave. Your permanent DL/ID card will arrive by mail.

You can use the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) online license eligibility system to see the status of your driver license. You’ll need: 

• Your driver license or ID number 
• Date of birth 
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number

Understand what you need to do to get your license reinstated. Requirements may include: 

• Finishing your suspension period 
• Completing compliance documents 
• Taking classes

You may need to pay fees to have your driver license reinstated. If so, you can pay those online. 

It may take time for your payments to process or your status to update. Once the license eligibility system says you're "eligible", you may need to visit a local Department of Public Safety (DPS) office to get your new driver license. 

TxT is the state's official digital assistant and your account for Texas government services, like driver license upgrades. To create your account, you'll need:

• Personal email address
• Mobile phone number
• Current Texas learner license
• Social security number

On TxT, here's what to expect:

• Enter the information listed above
• Verify your email address and phone number
• Create a password
• Confirm your identity
• Review your information

Once you've created your TxT account, you'll have the option to upgrade your license once your driving school has submitted information to DPS and they've reviewed and approved it. You'll know it's approved when you see the option to "Upgrade DL" in your TxT to-do list. 

Here's what to do next:

• Tap “Upgrade DL” on your TxT dashboard
• Fill in some important information, like where to send your new driver license
• Pay the required fee
• Print your temporary license

You'll receive an email confirmation that will serve as your temporary driver license. Make sure to review the information for accuracy. Your permanent driver license will arrive by mail.

There are several different types of driver records. Review the list below to decide which one you need. 

• Type 1. Status Record: Includes your current license status and any restrictions 
• Type 2. 3-year History Record: Includes your current license status and any violations and accidents from the past three years 
• Type 2a. Certified 3-year History Record: Certified version of a Type 2 record 
• Type 3. List of All Accidents and Violations on Record: Includes your current license status and all violations and accidents you have on record 
• Type 3a. Certified List of All Accidents and Violations on Record: Certified version of a Type 3 record 
• Type AR. Certified Abstract of Driving Record: Certified abstract of your complete driving record 

You can order your personal driving record online with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). You’ll need this information: 

• Your most recently issued Texas driver license, commercial driver license, or ID 
• Date of birth 
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number 
• A valid credit card 
• Adobe Reader to download your record
• Latest version of a compatible web browser: Chrome, Safari, or Firefox (Microsoft Edge isn't supported at this time)
• Ability to print or email your record immediately after purchase

If you aren't able to order online, you can order your driver record by mail. Complete a driver record request form and submit it with the appropriate payment to:

Texas Department of Public Safety
PO Box 149008
Austin, Texas 78714-9008

If you order your record online, it's available immediately so you can download, print, or email it. 

If you order by mail, it may take 5-10 business days to arrive.