New Texas Residents:
- Initial Driving Privileges: You can legally driver with a valid, unexpired driver license for another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or qualifying country for up to 90-days after moving to Texas.
- Transferring Out-of-State Licenses: If you have a valid driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canada, you must surrender your out-of-state license and are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams.
- Reciprocity Agreements: Texas has license reciprocity with France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan. If you have a valid, unexpired driver license from one of these countries, you are not required to take the knowledge or skills exam unless you choose to keep your out-of-country license.
- Translation Requirements: Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish must be translated by a translation service or your consulate before arriving in Texas. This also applies to marriage licenses.
Waivers:
- Age 18 and Older: Applicants 18 and older who hold a valid out-of-state driver license or license not expired over two years are exempt from the skills knowledge exams, as well as the ITD and adult driver education requirements.
- Non-Reciprocity Countries: If your driver license is from a county other than the U.S., Canada, France, South Korea, Germany, or Taiwan, you must take and pass both the knowledge and skills exams.
Minors (Under age 18):
- Knowledge Exam: If you have a valid driver license or learners license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province, you do not have to take the knowledge exam.
- Surrendering Licenses: Applicants who surrender a valid license/permit from another state will be issued the equivalent Texas version.
- Non-U.S./Canada: If you are under 18 from a country other than the U.S. or Canada, you must take and pass the knowledge exam.
- Learners License Holding Period: Texas law requires that anyone issued a Texas learner license must hold it for at least six months or until they are 18 years of age.
- Skills Exam: All applicants under age 18 must take the skills exam.
Learner Licenses:
- Transferring Learner Licenses: If you have a valid, unexpired learner license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canada, France, South Korea, Germany, or Taiwan, you do not have to take the knowledge exam. You must still complete the Impact Texas Driver (ITD) course and pass the skills exam to advance to a driver provisional license.
- Age Requirements: Individuals under 25 must also complete driver education.
Active Duty and Recently Discharged Military:
- Exemption Eligibility: U.S. military personnel on active duty or individuals discharged within the last 90 days with an expired driver license from another state may be exempt from the knowledge and skills exams.
- Requirements: To qualify, applicants must present a valid military ID and provide proof of the issuing state's military extension policy.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Exemption: Applicants who are members of a force or civilian component of a NATO country and present validating orders are exempt from the knowledge and skills exams.
Obtaining a Texas Identification (ID) card
- Requirements: New Texas residents who want to apply for a Texas ID card must meet all requirements, including proof of Texas residency and identification.