How to Obtain a Texas Driver’s License

Essay and photo by Faisal Altawati

Are you planning to purchase a car while you are in Aggieland? Do you have a family and you need to move from place to another? Since College Station is a small town and it does not have public transportation such as a public bus that will take you wherever you need, you have to buy a car to facilitate your movement while you are in College Station. The first thing that you should do is to obtain a Texas driver’s license to be able to drive a car legally.

First of all, since you are an international student, you have to gather your identification documents such as your passport, I-20, I-94, and your visa. To apply for a Texas driver’s license, you must visit Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in person or check out the DPS website at www.dps.texas.gov to know the exact documents that you have to collect. Plus, you have to spend one month in the United States because you need a permanent address before applying for a Texas driver’s license. Also, you must be ready to provide your full name, date of birth (DOB), place of birth, residential address, and mailing address. Moreover, you have to describe yourself physically. Be sure you know your weight and height in U.S. units (pounds and feet). If you do not know how to calculate them, the staff of the DPS will help you. Additionally, you must bring evidence of financial responsibility (insurance), vehicle registration of your car, and fees.

The second step to obtain your Texas driver license is passing the knowledge test which is about road signs. You must be able to understand road signs written in English. Note that, if you are above 25 years of age, you will take the knowledge test in the DPS. The staff of the DPS will schedule you an appointment to take the test. On the other hand, if you are under 25 years of age, you have to complete and pass a driver education course. A driver education course is an online course that will teach you about all signs and road rules. You must successfully complete six hours and pass the course to be able to take the road test. The DPS has more information about the driver education course and how to apply for it. If you pass the driver education course, you will receive a certificate and it shows that you have done the course and passed.

After all those procedures, a road test is the last step to obtain your Texas driver’s license. The members of the DPS will schedule you a specific date to take your road test. Be sure that a mechanic checks your car before the day of the road test. On the day of the test, be prepared to provide your identification card or your passport, vehicle registration, evidence of financial responsibility (insurance), inspection sticker, and your fees’s receipt. First, the examiner will check your documents and your car as well. After that, the examiner will ride in your car and at this moment, your road test begins. You must follow all of the instructions given by the examiner. Finally, if you pass the road test, you will obtain a temporary driver’s license until you get your driver’s license in your mailbox within two weeks. Congratulations! Now, you have a Texas driver’s license and you can drive and enjoy traveling in Texas and in other states as well.

To finalize, obtaining a Texas driver’s license is important to be able to drive safely and legally in Texas. These processes are what you need to apply and obtain a Texas driver’s license. It may take up to one or two months until you receive your Texas driver’s license. Remember, be safe all the time, and I hope you enjoy driving in Texas.