DPS Austin

1. What should I bring when I make an appointment at the DPS Austin office?

It varies upon what it is that you are trying to accomplish. If you are renewing your Austin drivers license, then you will need to complete a drivers license renewal form, and have your old license and your social security number. If you are trying to obtain your first TX driver license, then you will need to complete a online drivers ed course prior to your application at the DPS Austin Office. If you are between fourteen and seventeen years old, you can get 10% off the enrollment cost for internet drivers education by clicking here. If you are between eighteen and twenty-four years old, you can enroll in an online Adult Drivers Ed class by clicking here.

2. What are the Austin hours of operation?

We have listed the office hours and telephone number for all DPS Texas locations, including the DPS Austin office. Since the Austin Department of Public Safety may close during special holidays, we strong recommend you call in advance of your visit to make sure that the DPS Austin office is open.

3. Can I pick up the forms that I need at the DPS Austin office?

Yes, or you can access them online here on our website by clicking here. We strongly recommend you to have the mandated forms prepared before your visit. Trust us, it will make the process faster. You’ll thank us later!

4. Is it true that the DPS Austin now requires a “Proof of Residency” policy for first time drivers license applicants?

Yes. However, it’s not just the DPS Austin. Effective April 2012, any vehicle operator applying for an original Texas drivers license, Commercial Drivers License or ID card is required to bring a minimum of 2 documents to verify his or her identity. This is Texas law.

Requirements For DPS Austin Licenses

There are requirements that must be met when you go to the DPS Austin Location if you want to receive your Texas Driver’s License. If you would like to study for the test ahead of time, you can pick up the handbook online or at the Austin DPS location.

Be sure when you visit the Austin DPS location you have the following items:

Documents that prove your identity. Those include residency proof for the state of Texas, Social Security Number, and U.S. Citizenship status or lawful presence proof.

An application will need to be completed at the Austin DPS location, or you can complete it ahead of time by downloading it here.

You will also need the following items:

• Vehicle registration for any vehicles you own in Texas. Also proof of your financial responsibility for those vehicles must be presented to the DPS Austin worker or
• You will need to fill out a statement to affirm the fact that you do not own any vehicles and give that to the Austin DPS.
• Applying in person at the Austin DPS location you should bring those documents as well as money for fees that will need to be paid.
• The applicant at the DPS Austin location will need to take and pass a vision exam
• At the DPS Austin location you are going to take knowledge exams as well as the driving test, unless it’s been proven you are exempt from those requirements. (If the language needs to be done in another language, please talk to your Austin DPS, or go to the section about this requirement.)
• For applicants at the Austin DPS who are taking the teen driver course, they must also complete the Impact Texas Teen Driver program (ITTD).

NOTE: An applicant at the Austin DPS who is not 25 will need to finish a driver education course before they are able to apply for their license. ATTENTION: As of April 1, 2015, if the teen driver education course is needed, you will also have to complete the ITTD requirement in order to be eligible for the exam for driver skills.

Teen Drivers Ed

Any Austin DPS applicants who have yet to turn 18 have extra requirements. Those can be found on the Teen Drivers page.

Foreign Students and Nonresident Visitors

To help reduce identity theft, the Austin DPS process includes requirements for those nonresidents that must be met, this will include students. What is needed will be found under the US Citizenship or Lawful Presence pages. Any documents required by the Austin DPS can be found by looking at the Verifying Lawful Presence Guide, or online via a brochure.

New Texas Residents

Those people who have moved to Texas from another country or state, and who are between the ages of 18-24, please visit the Adult Drivers Ed page to see additional requirements.

Motorcycle and Moped Riders

Individuals who ride mopeds or motorcycles also have special requirements for obtaining their Calls M license. Please see the Motorcycle Licenses page for any information you need to know.

U.S. Military Veterans

Some disabled veterans are found exempt of paying fees at the Austin DPS. To find out if you meet those requirements please visit the Veteran Services page now.