Lesson Objectives
In this section we will learn about:
- How to Obtain a Texas Driver License
- License Suspensions, Revocations, Cancellations, Denials and Sanctions
- Vehicle Inspection and Registration
- The Safety Responsibility Act
How to Obtain a Texas Driver License
If you are under 25 and applying for a first time Texas driver license, you must successfully complete an approved driver education course like this one.
An application must be made in person at a DPS driver license office.
What You Need to Bring
- Legal name, residential and mailing address, place of birth, date of birth
- Gender, height, eye color, county of residence
- Picture ID and Social Security card
- Citizenship status, fingerprints, physical description, medical status and history
Individuals with certain medical conditions may have their cases reviewed by the Medical Advisory Board before the license is issued.
Your Permanent Driving Record
Your examination results are scanned into the Driver License System as part of your permanent driving record. All convictions for moving violations or crashes — including out-of-state — will be included.
Check DPS for current requirements: dps.texas.gov
Financial Responsibility
When applying for an original driver license you must provide evidence of financial responsibility, or a statement that you do not own a motor vehicle.
This is the minimum required by law. If financing a vehicle, your lender may require more.
Vehicle Registration (for License Application)
Must submit evidence that each owned motor vehicle is currently registered in Texas. A registration receipt from the county tax assessor-collector is acceptable proof.
License Application Fees
- Fees paid to DPS before the skills driving test
- Test must be completed within 90 days
- Fee valid at any DPS location in Texas
- Up to three attempts per exam type
- After three failures, new application and fee required
Minors
Under 18: application must be signed under oath by a parent or guardian. If no guardian, an employer or county judge may sign.
The co-signer may request DPS cancel your license before your 18th birthday. Both must sign a zero tolerance notification document.
All applicants must present their Social Security Number for identity verification.
Testing
After fees are paid, your picture is taken and you receive a receipt usable as a temporary license for 45 days. If your license doesn't arrive in 45 days, contact DPS.
FYI: Knowledge and driving tests are not required for applicants surrendering a valid out-of-state license.
Knowledge Permit Test
Ages 15-17 must complete a state-approved teen driver ed course. The Class C Knowledge Permit Test is required for all applicants under 25. The Official Permit Test is available after completing Module 1, if you are at least 15.
Vision Test
Vision is tested at the DPS office to determine if corrective lenses are required while driving.
Driving Skills Test
Must present a certificate of completion from an approved provider. Must be at least 16 years of age with evidence of financial responsibility and vehicle registration.
Application will not be approved if you violate the law, fail to follow instructions, drive dangerously, have a crash, or have more than 30 points deducted.
Skills Tested
- Vehicle Control - steering, braking, throttle
- Effective Observation - scan front, rear, and sides for hazards
- Proper Lane Positioning and use of signals
- Parallel Parking, Quick Stops, Backing and Turning
- Intersection Observance - slow down and look both ways before turning right
- Reduced-risk driving - proper following distance, pass only when legal and safe
Penalties for Driving Without a License
- 1st Conviction - Fine up to $200
- 2nd Conviction - Fine $25-$200
- 3rd Conviction - Fine $25-$500 and/or 72 hours to 6 months jail
No license or insurance + crash causing serious injury or death = Class A misdemeanor: fine up to $4,000 and/or up to 365 days jail.
Restriction & Endorsement Codes
Restriction codes may be placed on a driver license to ensure safety.
Renewing Your License
Renewal notice mailed approximately six weeks before expiration to your last address on file. If you don't receive it, you are still responsible for renewing on time.
Renewal may be in person, or by mail/online/phone if eligible. Check eligibility at dps.texas.gov.
License May NOT Be Renewed If:
- Suspended, cancelled, or revoked
- Medical Advisory Board finds a condition affects safe driving
- Subject to sex offender registration or age 79+
- No Social Security number or photo on file
Military & Out-of-State
Military returning from duty can renew without testing (even if expired 2+ years) by presenting TX license and separation papers. Out-of-state renewal must be done in person for: sex offender registrants, those 79+, and CDL holders.
Suspensions, Revocations & Mandatory Sanctions
Driving is a privilege - when abused it may result in suspension or revocation. Additional fees: $100 for fraudulent government records, $125 for ALR. Some suspensions require an SR-22.
Automatic Suspensions For:
- DWI, drug offenses, intoxication manslaughter
- Failure to stop and render aid causing death or serious injury
- Passing a stopped school bus, boating while intoxicated, evading arrest
- Expired, invalid, altered, or fake driver license or ID
- Lending a license or possessing more than one valid license/ID
- False information on a license application
- Making/selling/possessing a document deceptively similar to a DPS license/ID
- Graffiti or fictitious plate/registration/inspection sticker
- Racing on a public highway or street
Possessing a fake or altered driver license results in automatic suspension?
Answer: TRUE
Minor-Related Suspension Triggers
Alcoholic Beverage Code: Consumption of alcohol by a minor, misrepresentation of age, operating a watercraft under the influence, failure to complete alcohol awareness class.
Health and Safety Code: Failure to complete tobacco awareness class, drug offense, Controlled Substance Act offense, felony under chapter 481.
Family Code: Delinquent conduct, truancy, cutting school.
Your license may be suspended if you: A. cut class B. skip school C. play hooky D. all of these
Answer: D
Additional minor suspension triggers: failure to appear for juvenile court, failure to pay fines, repeated traffic violations (provisional or minor restricted license holders).
Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License
- 1st offense - Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500
- 2nd offense - Class B misdemeanor, fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days jail
- Uninsured + crash causing serious injury/death - Class A misdemeanor, fine up to $4,000 and/or up to 365 days jail; suspension auto-extended
Administrative License Revocation (ALR)
Effective January 1, 1995. License is automatically suspended independent of criminal proceedings when a driver refuses chemical testing or has a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
The ALR Process
- Officer determines reasonable suspicion for traffic stop
- Field sobriety test administered if impairment suspected
- Arrest for DWI; transported to station
- Officer reads "Statutory Warning" and requests breath or blood test
- Refusal or prohibited BAC: notice of suspension served, license confiscated
ALR stands for: A. admission license registry B. administrative license renewal C. administrative license revocation D. all levels required
Answer: C
ALR for Minors
Full custodial arrest is not required. Once officer determines individual is under 21 and has consumed alcohol, DUI citation is issued, notice served, license confiscated.
DPS ALR Authorization
- BAC of 0.08 or more
- Refuses breath or blood test
- Under 21 with any detectable amount of alcohol
DPS License Cancellation Grounds
- Parental authorization withdrawn (under 18)
- Suspension/revocation from another state
- Incomplete application or driver education; false statement on application
- Delinquent court-ordered child support
- Requires ignition interlock device
- Mentally incapacitated or chemically dependent
Zero Tolerance Law
A minor may not purchase, attempt to purchase, falsely claim to be 21+, consume, or possess an alcoholic beverage.
Minors are not eligible for deferred disposition on 3rd or subsequent convictions.
Purchasing, furnishing, or selling alcohol to a minor: fine up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in jail.
Occupational (Essential Need) License
A restricted license for individuals whose license was suspended/revoked/denied (not for medical or child support reasons) who can prove to a court there is an essential need to drive. Also available for those suspended due to surcharges.
If your license is suspended, you may only drive if: A. You obtain an occupational license B. Police give permission C. Accompanied by licensed driver D. Short distances only
Answer: A
Must carry a certified copy of the court order at all times. Cannot be used to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
Vehicle Inspection: Two Steps, One Sticker
Since Bill 2305 (2013), your registration sticker serves as proof of both registration and inspection. Vehicles must pass inspection no earlier than 90 days before registration expires. All Texas-registered vehicles must be inspected annually. Evidence of financial responsibility required at inspection.
Emissions Testing Counties
Required in: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwell, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
Required Equipment for Vehicles
- Parking Brake - stops and holds car; Foot Brake stops within 25 ft at 20 mph
- Brake Lights - two (pre-1960 models: one)
- Headlights - two, plus high-beam indicator
- Red Reflectors - two, one per side, visible up to 600 feet
- Turn Signals and Brake Lights
- License Plate Light - white, illuminates rear plate
- Horn - audible from minimum 200 feet
- Rear-View Mirror - reflects at least 200 feet behind
- Safety Glass
- License Plates - front and rear
- Windshield Wipers
- Seat Belts - if part of original equipment
- Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem - vehicles designed for 25 mph or less
- Fuel Cap - checked during inspection for vehicles 2-24 years old
Prohibited Equipment for Vehicles
- Extensions more than 3 inches beyond the left side or 6 inches beyond the right side of body/fenders
- Any radar or laser speed detection interference device
- Muffler cutout, bell, siren, or exhaust whistle (except emergency vehicles)
- Body modified so it sits below the lowest part of the wheel rims
Optional Equipment for Vehicles
- Spotlight - must be off for oncoming traffic; if headlights fail, beam no more than 50 feet ahead
- Up to 3 additional front driving lights - 12 to 42 inches from road surface
- Sunscreen/Window Tinting - must comply with state regulations
- Two Side Cowl or Fender Lights - amber or white, no glare
- Running Board Courtesy Lights - one per side, amber or white, no glare
- Widespread Flashing Lights - for unusual traffic hazards; amber/white front, amber/red rear; must flash simultaneously
Registration of Vehicles
All vehicles must be registered in the county of residency. Registration sticker goes on the windshield or rear license plate (motorcycles/mopeds).
As of July 1, 2025 (HB 718): Texas dealers no longer issue temporary paper tags. Permanent or temporary metal plates are issued at the time of sale.
- Private party purchase - register within 30 days
- New Texas resident - vehicle may be operated 30 days before registration required
- Must register all vehicles before applying for a Texas driver license
The Safety Responsibility Act
The Safety Responsibility Act ensures all drivers are financially responsible for death, injury, or property damage they may cause. Minimum liability insurance is required for all Texas motor vehicle owners and operators.
Evidence of financial responsibility must be presented when applying for a license, registering a vehicle, or obtaining an inspection certificate - and to any officer or involved party upon request.
Penalties for Failure to Provide Evidence
- 1st conviction - Fine $175-$350
- 2nd+ conviction - License and registration suspended, fine $350-$1,000, vehicle impounded for 180 days
Driving Privilege Suspension Triggers
- Judgment from a crash not satisfied within 60 days
- Default on a crash settlement installment agreement
- Uninsured involvement in crash causing death, injury, or $1,000+ property damage