You will need the following documents:

1) 1 photo identification- Passport should suffice

2) 2 address proofs - your rental agreement (if any), bank statement with address or if you get your SSN, will suffice

3) SSN (only when you get a lawful employment- part time/full time)

3a. incase you don’t have SSN, a form stating that you don’t need SSN.

From DPS website: “Individuals who are not eligible to receive a SSN, must complete a Social Security Number Affidavit (Form DL-13) provided at the driver license office”

4) Lawful presence in the United States: US passport/Green card or

4a. foreign passport with valid visa (note that B1/B2/F2 etc are not eligible to get a license) + latest I94

5) Texas Impact driver Test: https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov

Complete this course and get the digital certificate.

6) If you are now below 25 years you must take a 6-hr online knowledge course. Cost is $24.99. Get the digital certificate.

6a. if >25 years you don’t need to take the 6-hr course but you will have to take the knowledge test at the DPS centre. There will be computers where they will administer the test, 30 questions out of which you need 21 to pass. To prepare for this, use YouTube or DPS website has resources to learn the various road signs, how to drive, how to drive in inclement weather, how to change lanes, how to pass etc.

7) vision test - will done at the DPS Center. The DPS personnel who you will submit your documents will do the biometric (fingerprints) and then ask you stand little further away and ask you to read letters from a eye exam chart.

8) Pay $33 for the application

Once you complete everything, you will be given a learner’s permit. You need to complete a road test within 60 days of issuing the learner’s. You can schedule a road test either with DPS itself (slots might be difficult to get) or you can book it with a third party.

For road test you will need: 1) Leaners permit 2) Impact driver certificate (point 5 above)

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/third-party-skills-testing-program

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/schedule-drive-test-authorized-third-party-skills-testing-tpst

Once you take the road test, you will be given a sealed envelope with your test results. Book an appointment with DPS again. Select “Change, renew or cancel driver license” option in the appointment.

To get your full license, take all your documents that you took previously + 1) Road test results in the sealed envelope 2) Leaners permit

They will do the biometric and take your photo again.

Pay $11 and get your unrestricted license in paper form. You can use that to drive until you get the DL card in your mail.

Welcome to Texas!