In the United States, with respect to some countries in Latin America, the process of obtaining a driver's license for the first time is different for both natives of the country and foreigners who believe they need it in order to commute daily.
Each state in the country has its own regulations and Texas is no exception, so in this note we will explain how to obtain a driver's license to drive on their streets for people with documentation and if undocumented immigrants can obtain it.
What do you need to get a driver's license in Texas?
To begin with, if you want to apply for a driver's license you must be of legal age (18 years old) and licenses have a duration of eight years. Know all the requirements to comply with in the following list, according to the State Department of Public Safety (DPS).
- Be a US citizen or provide evidence of legal presence in the country.
- Have proof of residency in Texas.
- Have proof of identity and US Social Security Number (SSN).
- Have evidence of current vehicle registration in the city for each vehicle you own.
- Have proof of insurance for each car that you own.
- Submit a signed statement if you do not have a vehicle.
- Completion certificate of an Impact Texas Driver program.
- Completion certificate of a driver education course (if you apply for the first time and are between 18 and 24 years old). If you are a new resident but already have a license issued in another state, skip this step.
Steps to apply for a driver's license in Texas for the first time
If you already have all the documentation required by the DPS, the steps you must take next to get a driver's license in Texas for the first time are as follows.
- Complete the driver's license application online or in person at the designated offices.
- Schedule an appointment at a driver's license office.
- Submit the necessary documentation to the license and permit specialist.
- Sign the application.
- Provide fingerprints.
- Have your face photo taken by the specialist.
- Pay the application fee.
- Take and pass the vision, knowledge (available in various languages), and driving test.
Can undocumented immigrants obtain a driver's license in Texas?
Although this exists in different parts of the United States, in Texas you cannot apply for or obtain a driver's license if you are undocumented. However, what you can apply for is a temporary driving license for city visitors with a specific time frame.