What to bring with you when applying
as a Teen Driver for your Learner License
There are two phases you will need to complete before graduating to a full driver license. This is called the
Graduated Driver License Program for teens. To be issued a learner license (phase I) in the state of
Texas, you must bring the following documentation to your local driver license office:
1. Application for an Original Texas Driver License
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Evidence of Lawful Presence
3. Proof of Residency
4. Proof of Identity
5. Proof of Social Security Number
6. Proof of Insurance for each vehicle you own
7. Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration for each vehicle you own (New residents who are
surrendering an out-of-state driver license only)
8. Proof of Completion for Driver Education
9. Verification of Enrollment and Attendance in School or its equivalent
10. Issuance Fee
This checklist will help you identify what documents in each section you will need to bring to your local driver
license office so that you may apply for your learner license. Any documents you bring to prove your identity
must show the same name and date of birth. If they do not, you must present additional supporting
documents – such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change – to
demonstrate the reason for the differences in names and/or dates of birth.
Follow the directions listed for each section, and check the appropriate document(s) you have that you can
bring with you. Upon completing all sections, gather the documents you have checked, and along with your
parent or legal guardian, visit your local driver license office to begin the application process. If you would
like to get in-line at your local driver license office prior to your arrival, simply go to our website and check in
(not available at all locations): www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense.
Section 1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence
You must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or lawful presence in the United States. Most documents will be verified
through the US Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE Program. Verification through SAVE is often
instantaneous, but when it is not, receipt of the DL/ID may be delayed for up to 30 days.
Check one document you have from this list that contains your full legal name. This will be your proof of
U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence in the United States.
Birth certificate or birth record issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent
agency from a US state or local government, a US territory, or the District of Columbia
US passport book or passport card
US citizen Identification card (I-179 or I-197)
Permanent Resident card (I-551)
I-94 stamped “Sec. 208 Asylee” or “Sec. 207
Refugee”
US Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
Employment Authorization Card “EAD” (I-766)
I-551 stamp in foreign passport
US Department of State Certificate of Birth
Abroad issued to US citizens born abroad (Form
FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)
US Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of
Naturalization (N-550, N-560, N-561, N-570, or
N-578)
Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with temporary
I-551 language and ADIT stamp
Student documents with Student Exchange and
Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number
I-20 Non-immigrant students (F-1)
DS-2019 exchange visitor (J-1) certificate
Non-student documents with alien number or I-94 number