Texas Drivers License Fees



  1. Texas Drivers License Reinstatement Fee
  2. Texas Driver's License Fees And Eligibility
  3. Dmv Texas Driver License
  4. Texas Drivers License Fees For Dwi Charges
Texas

NOTICE: Driver Responsibility Program Repealed. On September 1, 2019, the state of Texas ended its Driver Responsibility Program (DRP), under which your license could be suspended for failing to pay additional annual surcharges on top of traffic ticket fees. TDLR staff have not been immune to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and we regret that some services are taking longer than usual. We are actively working to improve our response times and appreciate your continued patience. When to Renew Your TX Driver's License. Your Texas driver's license expires on your birthday. The number of years it is valid for depends on your age. Under 18 years old: Valid until you turn 18 years. The fee for a Texas duplicate drivers license is $11 (fees may vary). You can request a duplicate by visiting a Texas Department of Public Safety office in your area. To find one that is close by, use our DMV locator.

The road to your license starts here

Online Adult Driver's Ed for $34.95

Getting your license starts with Texas Adult Driver’s Ed. This TDLR (formerly the TEA) approved online course eliminates the need to take the written test at the DPS.

  • Approved by the Texas DPS for Driver’s Ed
  • DPS written knowledge exam is included
  • Convenient 24/7 access on all device types
  • Certificate of completion emailed within 2 hours
Featured ResourceAre You Overpaying for Car Insurance?

COVID-19 Effects on Licensing Services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic,state DMVs nationwide have closed driver licensing offices, extended license and registration expiration dates, and/or limited the transactions they are processing. If possible, residents should use the DPS' online services to complete any relevant transactions. Follow the DPS' most recent updates for the latest information.

Apply for a New Driver's License in Texas

If you're looking to drive legally in Texas, you need to obtain your driver's license right away.

Whether you're a new resident, a first-time driver, or a non-citizen, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) makes it simple to obtain your new license.

Texas REAL ID Driver's License

The TX DPS began issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in 2016. As of October 1, 2021, only the REAL ID will function as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings.

For more detail on Texas REAL IDs, visit the DPS' guide and FAQs.

New to Texas?

Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

If you're new to Texas, you have 90 days from the time you moved to the state to obtain your Texas driver's license. After that, your out-of-state or out-of-country license will no longer be valid for use in TX.

In order to apply for a license as a new resident, you'll take the same steps as those outlined in “Apply for Your TX Driver's License' below, EXCEPT you will not have to take the knowledge or road tests IF:

  • Your driver's license is valid and unexpired.
  • Your license is from another U.S. state or territory, OR it's from France, South Korea, Taiwan or Germany.

If your license is from a country other than those listed above, you must take both the written and driving tests.

NOTE: If you have a valid learner license from one of the countries listed above and wish to upgrade to a license in Texas, you'll be required to take the road test but not the knowledge test.

New Military Residents

If you've just moved to TX and you are either active in or recently discharged from the military and your driver's license is expired, you might be able to skip the knowledge and driving tests IF:

  • You present a valid military ID card.
  • You present proof that your previous state that issued your license has a policy that lets military members drive with expired licenses.
    • Contact your previous state to see which documents will suffice.

Types of Texas Driver's Licenses

Texas Drivers License Reinstatement Fee

Texas offers the following full, non-commercial license types:

  • Class C:
    • The Class C license allows you to drive regular, noncommercial passenger cars and trucks weighing less than 26,001 lbs.
  • Noncommercial Class A:
    • The Noncommercial Class A license covers vehicles over 26,001 lbs. with towed vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs.
  • Noncommercial Class B:
    • You can drive a single vehicle with a gross weight of 26,001 lbs. or more. You can also tow a vehicle under 10,000 lbs. or a farm trailer less than 20,000 lbs. This license also authorizes you to drive a bus seating 24 passengers or more.

If you're interested in applying for another type of license, check out the following pages:

Drivers
  • Teen Drivers
    • Covers licensing requirements for teen drivers, including Driver's Ed, permit, and testing requirements.
  • Motorcycles
    • Learn how to add a motorcycle endorsement onto your license.
  • Commercial Vehicles
    • Find out how to get your Class A, B, and C commercial driver license (CDL), as well as how to add endorsements.

Apply for Your New Texas Driver's License

Texas does not require drivers 18 years old and over to have a learner license prior to applying; however, if you are getting your license for the first time, you'll need to have a learner license to practice for your driving test. To learn all about getting a Texas learner's permit, please visit our Driver Permits in TX page.

Once you're ready to apply for your new driver's license, visit your local driver license office and:

  • Submit a completed Application for Texas Driver License or ID Card (Form DL-14A).
  • Present appropriate proof of ID. The TX DPS provides a full list of accepted documents, but expect to bring:
    • Proof of identity, which could include:
      • 1 primary document (e.g. passport, military ID, etc.).
        OR
      • 2 secondary documents (e.g. birth certificate, Certificate of Birth Abroad, etc.).
        OR
      • 1 secondary document AND 2 supporting documents (e.g. Social Security card, voter registration card, 1099, etc.).
    • Proof of Social Security number(e.g., Social Security card, W-2 or 1099)*.
    • Proof of lawful presence in the U.S. (e.g., birth certificate, I-94).
    • Proof of residency(2 documents) (e.g., current mortgage statement, medical card, etc.)*.
    *Note. Texas requires very specific documentation to prove identity, social security number and residency. Please check the state approved documents list to make sure you have the correct supporting documents.
  • If you are a new resident, present proof of TX vehicle registration.
  • Present proof of auto insurance for each vehicle you own OR an affidavit that you don't own a vehicle.
  • Surrender your out-of-state or out-of-country license (if applicable).
  • Present a certificate completion from a driver education course, if you are between 18 through 24 years old.
    • See “Driver Education Requirements' below if you are between 18 through 24 years old.
    • Proof of completion exempts you from taking the knowledge test.
    • This is NOT required for new residents transferring a valid, unexpired license from another state or country.
  • Pass the knowledge exam and driving test (unless you're exempt).*
  • Pay the $33 new driver's license fee.
    • Applicants 85 years old and over pay a $9 driver's license fee.
    • Disabled veterans may be able to waive the fee. (See “Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans' below.)

Once you've met all of the above requirements, you'll be issued a receipt which you can use to drive legally until your new license arrives. Your permanent Texas drivers license will be mailed to you within 3 weeks.

Your license expires 6 years after the issue date on your birthday.

* If you do not pass the knowledge and driving test on your first try, the driver license office will hold your application for 90 days, and you'll have 3 chances to pass the tests. If you do not pass the tests, you'll need to begin the driver's license application process over and pay a new fee.

Ace Your Exam on the First Try!

Don't leave your permit test to chance—take our free permit practice test with questions directly from the TX driver handbook. It's the fastest, easiest way to set yourself up for success!

NOTE: You may be able to schedule your appointment and/or driving test online; however, this option is not available for all offices. Check the Texas DPS online scheduling page to see if this is an option for your local office.

Driver Education Requirements

If you are applying for a first-time license in Texas and you're between 18 through 24 years old, you're required to take an adult driver education courseAND participate in the Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) program.

You have different options to take adultdriver education training.
The course is 6 hours and can be taken in a classroom or online. At the completion of the course you will be given a certificate of completion.

The Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) program contains a 1 hour video broken up into 4 modules that you can view at your own pace. The ITYD program is offered for free by the Department of Public Safety.

Texas Driver's License Fees And Eligibility

For more information about the ITYD program, take a look at the Department of Public Safety's information page.

Military Veterans and Texas Driver's Licenses

If you are a veteran, you may qualify for a fee exemption (if disabled) and may be able to add a veteran designation to your new license.

Fee Exemption

If you are a disabled veteran, the Texas DPS will waive your driver's license feeIF:

  • You were honorably discharged from the military.
  • You are at least 60% disabled due to military service.
  • You are provided compensation from the U.S. due to your disability.
Texas driver

If you meet the above qualifications, you can get your fee waived by presenting one of the follow documents at the time of application to confirm your disability status:

  • A signed letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that confirms your disability status.
    OR
  • Official documentation that proving the conditions above.*

*If you get disability compensation but you don't have a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you'll need to provide verification of your disability by your military branch.

Veteran Designation

You are eligible to get a veteran designation on your new Texas driver's license if you are a veteran who has been honorably discharged from one of the following U.S. military branches:

Dmv Texas Driver License

  • Army.
  • Air Force.
  • Navy.
  • Coast Guard.
  • Marine Corps.
  • TX National Guard.

To get the designation, present ONE of the following documents at your local driver license office:

  • DD-214.
  • DD-215.
  • NGB-22.
  • Letter from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs verifying your disability.

Non-Citizens and Texas Driver's Licenses

As a non-citizen, you will apply for a license in the same way as a U.S. citizen (see “Apply for Your TX Driver's License' above). However, you must prove lawful presence in the U.S. in order to obtain a driver license, and accepted documents vary based on your status.

The Texas DPS provides a full list of accepted documentation for you to check ahead of time to make sure you bring the right document(s).

You'll be issued a limited-term driver license if you are NOT one of the following:

  • U.S. citizen.
  • U.S. national.
  • Lawful permanent resident.
  • Refugee.
  • Asylee.

Limited-term licenses lapse on the DHS-determined expiration date of your lawful presence.

Forms

DL-14A
Application for Texas Driver License or Identification Card
Application for a Texas driver's license OR identification card.

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Aashto green book pdf free download. AASHTO Green Book 2001.pdf. AASHTO Green Book 2001.pdf.

Texas Drivers License Fees For Dwi Charges

Fees

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Life in the 50 states
This article is part of a Ballotpedia project detailing the costs of select government services and consumer products in the 50 states as of 2018-2019.
Birth certificate costs by state
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Driver's license costs vary from state to state and, sometimes, between localities within a state. A driver's license is an official document that allows an individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles. Different types of licenses are available to individuals attempting to operate specific types of vehicles like commercial trucks, passenger vehicles, and motorcycles.
  • As of March 2018, state-issued driver's license costs ranged from $10.00 per license (Missouri) to $89.00 (Washington).
  • Texas drivers license reinstatement fee
  • As of March 2018, eight states charged $20.00 or less for driver's licenses. Meanwhile, 14 states charged $40.00 or more.
  • See the map and table below for further information on the cost of driver's licenses in the states.

    Driver's license costs by state

    Complete data

    The table below provides complete data on the cost of driver's licenses in each of the 50 states.[1]

    Driver's license costs by state, 2018
    State Driver's license cost Duration (years) Cost per year Notes
    Alabama$36.254.00$9.06
    Alaska$20.005.00$4.00
    Arizona$25.0012.00$2.08
    Arkansas$40.008.00$5.00
    California$33.005.00$6.60$35 renewal fee
    Colorado$26.005.00$5.20$27 renewal fee
    Connecticut$72.007.00$10.29
    Delaware$40.008.00$5.00
    Florida$48.008.00$6.00
    Georgia$32.008.00$4.00
    Hawaii$20.004.00$5.00
    Idaho$30.004.00$7.50
    Illinois$30.004.00$7.50
    Indiana$17.506.00$2.92
    Iowa$32.008.00$4.00
    Kansas$23.004.00$5.75
    Kentucky$30.004.00$7.50$20 renewal fee
    Louisiana$32.256.00$5.38
    Maine$30.006.00$5.00
    Maryland$72.005.00$14.40
    Massachusetts$85.004.00$21.25
    Michigan$25.004.00$6.25
    Minnesota$25.254.00$6.31
    Mississippi$24.004.00$6.00
    Missouri$10.003.00$3.33
    Montana$40.508.00$5.06$41.72 renewal fee
    Nebraska$21.504.00$5.38
    Nevada$42.254.00$10.56
    New Hampshire$50.005.00$10.00
    New Jersey$24.004.00$6.00
    New Mexico$18.004.00$4.50
    New York$64.258.00$8.03
    North Carolina$40.008.00$5.00
    North Dakota$15.004.00$3.75
    Ohio$23.004.00$5.75
    Oklahoma$38.50--N/A
    Oregon$60.008.00$7.50
    Pennsylvania$35.504.00$8.88$30.50 renewal fee
    Rhode Island$38.505.00$7.70$61.50 renewal fee
    South Carolina$12.505.00$2.50
    South Dakota$28.005.00$5.60
    Tennessee$28.008.00$4.00
    Texas$25.006.00$4.17
    Utah$25.005.00$5.00
    Vermont$32.002.00$16.00
    Virginia$32.008.00$4.00
    Washington$89.006.00$14.83
    West Virginia$40.005.00$8.00
    Wisconsin$34.008.00$4.25
    Wyoming$20.008.00$2.50Commercial $40.00

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. This information was compiled by Ballotpedia staff in March 2018.
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