Moving to Texas

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is a dynamic agency of the state, which is dedicated to serving the people, protecting consumers, as well as ensuring the success of motor vehicle-related issues.It is one of the many departments that raise revenue for the state. The primary use of the funds to the Texas DMV are allocated is to maintain infrastructure such as roads, bridges and highways. The Texas Department of Public Safety may issue a hardship driver license to a person who complies with the requirements for the Hardship License for the following reasons: 1. The failure or refusal to issue the license will result in an unusual economic hardship to the family of the applicant. As part of your vehicle registration you are issued a set of general-issue license plates. The plate number is assigned to you by TxDMV and cannot be personalized. As of November 1, 2016, the State of Texas will no longer automatically replace your plates after 7 years. Newly Redesigned Texas DL and ID Cards. Commercial Driver License (CDL) Instructional Videos. Visiting a driver license office? Make an appointment.

The following information applies to individuals who are transferring a valid out of state driver license and/or applying for a new Texas driver license/identification (ID) card. Select the following link for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas driver license.

You may use our interactive REAL ID Document Check Application to assist in preparing you for your Driver License Office Visit. Just follow the steps, and at the end, you will have a customized checklist of the documents to bring for your visit.

Transferring an Out of State Driver License to Texas

New Texas residents can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or qualifying country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas.

Prior to the end of the 90 day grace period, a new Texas resident must apply for a Texas license in person at any driver license office to continue to drive legally. When applying for the new Texas license the individual must surrender any unexpired driver license in their possession from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or a Canadian province.

Texas Dmv Online Services

For more information on general reciprocal driving provisions, please review the Driving Privilege Reciprocity page.

Adults (18 and Older)
Applicants who have a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or from Canada must surrender their out of state/country driver license and are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams. Texas also has license issuance reciprocity with France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan only. Applicants who have a valid, unexpired driver license from one of these countries are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams if they surrender their out of country driver license. However, if the applicant does not wish to surrender their out of country driver license, they must take and pass all required exams. The reciprocity only applies to passenger vehicles, not commercial vehicles or motorcycles. Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish will need to have a translation service or their consulate translate the information on the driver license prior to arriving. This translation requirement also applies for marriage licenses.

Applicants who have a valid, unexpired learner license from another U.S. state or U.S. territory, or Canada, France, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan and are applying for a Texas learner license, do not have to take the knowledge exam. Upon advancing from a learner license to a driver license, individuals must complete the Impact Texas Driver course, pass the skills exam. Individuals under 25 years of age must also complete driver education.

Applicants who have a driver license from any country other than the U.S., Canada, France, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan must take and pass both the knowledge and skills exams. Select the following link for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas driver license.

Over 18 moving to Texas will require proof of:

• Identity (a valid out of state license can be used as a supporting document)
• Residency
• Citizenship or lawful presence
• Social security number
• Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration* for each vehicle you own. Registration must be current. Visit Texas DMV vehicle registration for more information. (New Residents who are surrendering an out-of-state driver license only)
• Proof of Insurance* for each vehicle you own

*If you do not own a vehicle, you will sign a statement affirming this.

Skills and knowledge exams are waived for applicants 18 and older that hold a valid out of state driver license, as are the ITD and adult driver education requirements.

Minors (Under 18)
Applicants under 18 who have a valid driver license or valid learner license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or Canadian province do not have to take the knowledge exam. Applicants who surrender a valid license/permit from another state will be issued the equivalent Texas version of the document surrendered (i.e. A Texas learner license for another state's learner license).

Applicants under 18 from a country other than the U.S. or Canada are required to take and pass the knowledge exam. This includes France, South Korea, Germany and Taiwan because the reciprocity agreement with these countries does not apply to minors.

Note: Texas law requires that anyone issued a Texas learner license must hold that license for at least six (6) months or until he/she is 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. If a learner license/permit is exchanged for a Texas learner license, it must be held for 6 months. No credit is given for prior months the applicant held their permit from another state.

All applicants under 18 must take the skills exam even if they hold a valid driver license from another state or country.

For more information on driver licenses issued to Teen drivers, visit How to apply for a Texas Driver License as a Teen.

Active Duty and Recently Discharged Military
U.S. military personnel on active duty or individuals recently discharged with an expired driver license from another state may be exempt from the skills exam and knowledge exams.

To qualify for the exemption, applicants:

1. Must present a valid military ID, and
2. Provide proof that the state which issued the driver license has a military extension policy for which the individual qualifies. (The individual must contact the issuing state for correct documents). Visit our webpage on How to apply for a Driver License for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas driver license.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Applicants who are a member of a force or civilian component of a NATO country and present orders validating their status are exempt from the knowledge and skills exams for the same or lower class of license.

Obtaining a Texas Identification (ID) card

Texas Dmv Online License Renewal

New Texas residents who want to apply for a Texas ID card must meet all of the requirements for a Texas ID card, including proof of Texas residency and identification requirements. Select the following link for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas identification card.

How to replace your Driver License, Commercial Driver License or ID Card

If you need to obtain a replacement without changing any information on the front of the card, you may use the Online Card Replacement feature, provided you have the following information:

• Your driver license or identification card number,
• Your date of birth,
• The last four digits of your social security number, and
• The audit number from your most recently issued card.

If you do not have the audit number from your most recently issued card and you want to use the Online Card Replacement feature, additional verification information is required which includes:

• Your first and last name as it appears on your most recent DL or ID,
• Your address as it appears on your most recent DL or ID, and
• Answering four unique security questions.

If you are currently out of the state, please visit Out-of-State Renewal or Replacement for instructions on replacing your driver license or identification card.

If your card has been lost, stolen or destroyed, and you do not have the information listed above, you must visit your local driver license office to obtain a replacement.

To apply for a replacement driver license, commercial driver license, or ID card at your local driver license office, you must:

1. Complete the application before arriving. (This form is also available at all driver license offices.)
2. Make an appointment at your local driver license office.
3. Provide the following documentation to the license and permit specialist:
   1. Application replacement, and
   2. Identity (Only one primary, secondary, or supporting document is required)
4. If you have not previously provided the following documentation, you will also need to present:
   1. U.S. Citizenship or, if you are not a U.S. Citizen, evidence of lawful presence, and
   2. Social Security Number,
5. Provide your thumbprint.
6. Have your picture taken.
7. Pay the application fee.

* The audit number may be found here on your driver license or identification card:

Click on an image above to see a larger view

Report Stolen Cards

If your driver license or identification card has been stolen and used by someone else, you must file a police report. To replace your stolen card, follow the steps on replacing your card and bring a copy of your police report with you. The driver license office personnel will determine if it is necessary to issue a new number when reviewing your case.

Visit the Texas Attorney General's website for more information on fighting identity theft.

Texas Dmv Appointments Online

For more information on what to do if you have become a victim of identity theft, visit the Identity Theft Information Guide.