Renewing Your Texas Driver License: Learn the Basics Now, Save Headaches LaterFor many Texans, renewing a driver license is on par with paying taxes and standing in a never-ending line at the post office. However, if you understand the basics of license renewal in advance, it seems like less of a hassle when you receive that inevitable notice in the mail. Broken down step by step, here's what you need to know about renewing you driver license in the state of Texas. Show
License Validity PeriodDid you know that the amount of time that your Texas license is valid depends upon how old you are? If you are under the age of 18 when you first get your license, your license will expire on your 18th birthday. If you are between the ages of 18 and 84, your Texas license is good for six years. But once you hit the age of 85, you have to start renewing your license every two years. When to Renew Your LicenseYou can renew your Texas driver license up to a year before it expires and up to two years after it expires. This is also a great time to update your address if you've moved. If two years have lapsed since you've had a valid license in Texas, you are no longer eligible for renewal. At that point, you have to apply for a brand new license, pass a written test, and pass a driving test. Special CircumstancesIf your license is suspended, it's not eligible for renewal and must be reinstated instead. If you've lost your license or it's been stolen or damaged, you can request a replacement. Fortunately, you can still renew a lost, stolen, or damaged card if you have a record of your license number and audit number. Renewal MethodsDid you know there are four ways to renew your license? For many busy residents, renewing online is the quickest and easiest way to go. But to apply online, you will need a printer to print out your temporary license card. You can also renew your license by phone and provide the same required information as you would online. If you meet the eligibility requirements to renew your license by mail, you'll receive a renewal notice from the Texas DPS. However, if you're not eligible to renew online or by phone or mail, you'll need to show up in-person at a Texas DPS office. Any driver under 18 or aged 79 or older must renew in-person. Depending upon your situation, you may also have to pass a vision exam, a driving test, or provide additional documentation. Active duty military members that are stationed outside of Texas get an extra 90 days post-discharged to renew their licenses. Renewal FeesAs with other sections of the license renewal law in Texas, your renewal fee depends upon your age. Drivers under 18 years old can enjoy an affordable renewal fee of just $6. Drivers between 18 and 84 will pay $25 and drivers 85 and older only pay $9. Cash, credit card, check, and money order are all acceptable forms of payment for license renewal. How Does It Work?If you are a resident of Texas and would like to drive here, you will need a Texas driver license. Here is your complete guide that you will need to follow if you want to get, replace and renew your license faster and without extra effort.
Get a learner licenseAllows you to practice driving under supervision.
Get a provisional licenseAllows you to drive unsupervised with restrictions.
Get a Full (Adult) LicenseAllows you to drive with no restrictions. Types of Driver's Licenses in TexasFor each license type there's a corresponding learner license Class C This is the usual kind of driver license. It allows you to operate a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 pounds towing a trailer not to exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds. However, if you plan to operate such vehicles commercially, you must get a Commercial Driver License Class C. Read Texas Driver Handbook or take a free TX DPS practice test also available in Spanish. Class B Allows you to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and tow either a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 pounds or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds. However, if you plan to operate such vehicles commercially, you must get a Commercial Driver License Class B. Read TX Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook or take a free TX CDL practice test. Class A Allows you to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. However, if you plan to operate such vehicles commercially, you must get a Commercial Driver License Class A. Read TX Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook in English or in Spanish. How to Apply for Your Texas Driver’s LicenseTo apply for your non-commercial driver license you must pass knowledge and driving skills tests, complete Impact Texas Drivers Program and a driver education course unless exempt. This is your complete plan of action depending on your age. How to Apply for Your Learner License for the First TimeAccording to the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program, the first step for every new driver under 18 years of age is getting a learner license and holding it for at least 6 months or till the age of 18 whichever comes first. It gives you an opportunity to drive only under the supervision of a licensed adult 21 years of age or older. 1Apply in personYou must apply in person at any driver license office. Some offices offer phone or online scheduling. To locate a nearby office, use this map. 2Bring the documentation to verify the following:3Complete the application formForms DL14A are available at every driver license office, or you can download it here and complete at home. 4Bring a parent or legal guardianYour parent or guardian will be asked to sign your application under oath in the presence of a driver license office employee. The person who signs may ask DPS to cancel your license any time before your 18th birthday. 5Bring a completed verification of school enrollment (VOE)The VOE must be obtained from your school and be signed by the school administrator. Otherwise, produce your high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). 6Present the texas driver education certificateIt is a signed, original form (DE-964) that verifies that you covered the required classroom hoursof driver education. You can complete it at your public school, driver training school or take a parent-taught driver education course (PTDE) starting from the age of 14. Check here all driver education options. 7Bring proof of car liabilty insurance and texas registrationOnly if you (not parents or guardians) own a car. 8Pay the fee of $17.00 and have your picture takenYou can pay the fee by cash, credit card, check or money order. 9Pass the vision examDepending on the results, you may be required to wear corrective lenses while driving if the lenses improve your vision. If the results are inconclusive, you may be referred to a doctor. 10Pass the knowledge testYou don’t have totake this test if you completed it during your driver education course, otherwise, if you do not pass the knowledge test on your first attempt, your application will be held for 90 days. After 90 days or three failures, a new application and fee will be required. 11Get your temporary licenseYou may use your temporary license for 45 days or until you receive your permanent license in the mail. If you do not receive your license in 45 days, contact the customer service center. What if I have a serious reason for driving on my own? If you are at least 15 years old and can prove your necessity to drive due to a hardship, you may get a hardship license (Minor Restricted Driver License or MRDL), which will allow you to drive with some restrictions based on the hardship. To qualify, you must also complete a behind the wheel phase of a driver education course and apply together with an authorized adult (a parent, guardian, employer or county judge). Supercharge your chances of passing the DMV testTake free Texas DMV practice tests that are just like the real thing. Show me How to Apply for Your Provisional LicenseGetting a provisional license is phase 2 of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program that applies to drivers younger than 18 years of age. The provisional license will expire on your 18th birthday. Provisional license restrictions: no driving with more than one passenger in the car under the age of 21 who is not a family member, no driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless for employment or school purposes or medical emergency, no use of a wireless communication device, including a hands-free device, except in an emergency.
How to Apply for Your Texas (Adult) Driver License1Complete a driver education course if under 25 years of ageIt's a minimum 6 hour course provided by authorized driving schools that you can take online. Driver education is not required for individuals age 25 and older but is highly recommended. Check here for driver education options. 2Complete impact Texas young drivers (ITYD) ProgramIt is a free, 1-hour informational video that provides educational information on the dangers of distracted driving. Your ITYD course completion certificate will be valid for 90 days. If you don’t pass your driving skills exam within these 90 days, you’ll have to take the course again. 3Apply in personYou must apply in person at any driver license office. Some offices offer phone or online scheduling. To locate a nearby office, use this map. 4Bring the documentation to verify the following:5Provide the following
6Complete the application formForms DL14A are available at every driver license office, however, you can download it here and complete at home. 7Pay the fee of $26.00, have your picture taken and provide your thumbprintYou can pay the fee by cash, credit card, check or money order. 8Pass the vision examDepending on the results, you may be required to wear corrective lenses while driving if the lenses improve your vision and help increase the safety of your driving. If the results are inconclusive, you may be referred to a doctor. 9Pass the knowledge testYou don’t have totake this test if you completed it during your driver education course. Otherwise, you should get a grade of 70% or better to pass. 10Pass your driving testYou can schedule your driving test online if you have been registered in the Applus system by a driver license office employee. Otherwise, ask for assistance at a driver license office. Alternatively, you can schedule a driving test appointment with an authorized Commercial Driver Education school ( also known as a third party skills testing (TPST) school). Additional fees apply. If you pass the driving exam through an approved TPST school, you must present the sealed envelope prepared by the school for the exam to be waived at the driver license office. 11Get your temporary licenseYou may use your temporary license for 45 days or until you receive your permanent license in the mail. If you do not receive your license in 45 days, contact the customer service center. What if I fail exams? if you do not pass either your knowledge test or driving test on your first attempt, your application will be held for 90 days. After 90 days or three failures, a new application, fee and ITYD course completion certificate will be required. Texas Knowledge Test (aka Written Test)Take a free practice test What does the exam include? You’ll have to answer multiple-choice questions testing your knowledge of road signs, rules of the road, and safe driving laws. To pass the knowledge portion of Class C driving test, you must answer 70% of the questions correctly. Can I take the test in other languages? The tests are only available in English and Spanish, but you must be able to understand road signs written in English to pass. You may bring someone to translate, but the translator may only help you communicate with the customer service representative before and after the knowledge test. How to prepare for the test? All questions are based on Texas Driver Handbook. Get yourself familiar with the handbook and take free practice tests available here. When you feel comfortable with your score, you are ready! What common mistakes should I avoid? The most common mistake comes from not knowing enough information out of the manual. This happens when people study solely with practice tests. Make sure you read the handbook first. Another problem is rushing through questions. Take your time and remember what you have studied. Can I use the handbook during the test? No. Using the manual will be considered cheating. Where is the easiest DPS office to pass my knowledge test in TX? There is no "easy" place. The easiest thing to do is be prepared. The test is computerized, and the questions are randomly picked. What happens if I fail the test? The Texas Department of Public Safety will let you take it again as early as the next day. Don’t rush because after 3 attempts, you will have to start the application all over again. Do I have to take the written test at a driver license office? No. Upon successful completion of certain driver education courses, you are not required to take the knowledge exam at a driver license office. You can check some driver education course options here. Pass your DMV test the first time with Driving-Tests Premium!73% more effective than the DMV manual. Tell me more Drive TestStep-by-Step Guide What to expect during TX drive test The exam is going to test your ability to safely operate a vehicle and obey traffic laws. The test takes about 20 minutes. You may take a driving exam at a driver license office or through a third party skills testing (TPST) school. You can schedule your driving test online if you have been registered in the Applus system by a driver license office employee. Otherwise, ask for assistance at a driver license office. Driving tests are available in Spanish in some driver license offices. If you don't speak English, you may bring someone to translate, but the translator may only help you communicate with the customer service representative ( CSR) before and after the driving test is given. The CSR will use hand signals and other non-verbal cues during the driving test for applicants who do not speak English. These non-verbal cues can be explained with the help of the translator before the test. Before the test
Before starting the engine Show that you:
During the test
During the driving exam, you will not be asked to do anything illegal. You must follow all the instructions given by the customer service representative (CSR). Do not carry on a conversation during the driving exam. You will be asked to demonstrate the following maneuvers: Always: Critical errors You fail automatically if you
After the test After you complete the drive test, your CSR will tell you if you passed or failed. You will also get detailed feedback on the areas where you did well and the areas where you need to improve. If you do not pass the drive test, your application will be held in the driver license office for 90 days. After 90 days ─ or three failed tests ─ a new application, ITYD course completion certificate and fee must be submitted.
How to Replace or Renew Your Driver License in Texas
New residents: How to get a Texas State Driver's LicenseIf you become a Texas resident and want to drive here, you must apply for a Texas driver license within 90 days after moving to Texas. I’ve Got a Valid Out-of-State LicenseMoving from another US state? Welcome to Texas! If you have a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state or U.S. territory, you are not required to take the knowledge or driving skills exams. Plan of Action
Tip! All applicants under 18 must take the driving skills exam even if they hold a valid driver license from another state. Applicants who have a valid learner license from another U.S. state, do not have to take the knowledge exam. Check here how to apply for a provisional license if you are a learner license holder. I've Got a Valid Foreign LicenseMoving from another country? Welcome to Texas! If you have a valid driver license from Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan, you won't have to take the knowledge or driving skills exams provided that you surrender your out of country driver license. However, if you don't want to surrender your current license, you must pass all required exams. Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish will need to have a translation service. New residents from other countries must pass the knowledge and driving skills exam. See the complete guide how to apply for your Texas driver license. Tip! All applicants under 18 must take the driving skills exam even if they hold a valid driver license from another country. Applicants who have a valid learner license from Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan, do not have to take the knowledge exam. Check here how to apply for a provisional license if you are a learner license holder. 73% more effective than the handbook Free Texas DMV Practice Tests Show me Official driver's manuals Texas DMV Driver's Manuals Show me What do I need to renew my driver's license Texas?Section 1. Proof of Identity.. Section 2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence.. Section 3. Proof of Social Security Number.. Do I need a birth certificate to renew my license in Texas?Complete a renewal application either before arriving or at the local office. Provide the following documents: renewal application, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, personal identification (marriage license, divorce papers, birth certificate) and Social Security Number.
What documents do I need to renew my licence?To renew your driving licence in person at an NDLS centre. Your current or most recent driving licence. ... . Proof of your personal public services number (PPSN).. Fully completed medical report form dated within one month, if required in your case.. Do I need proof of residency to renew Texas license?One of the documents must verify that the individual has lived in Texas for at least 30 days. Individuals who are surrendering a valid, unexpired driver license or ID from another state, or applying for a commercial driver license, must still present proof of residency; however, the 30 day requirement is waived.
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