How to Get a Picture ID in Texas

Texas residents need a government-issued driver’s license or photo ID in order to prove their identity. Of course, they also need a license to legally drive a motor vehicle. If they don’t drive, they’ll need a photo ID to do everything from banking to renting an apartment.

Texas identification cards and driver’s licenses are issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)—driver's licenses are valid for up to eight years and photo IDs are valid for up six years.

An applicant who wishes to get a Texas driver’s license, can use the Department of Public Safety’s ‌REAL ID Document Check Application‌ to assist them in preparing a visit to their local driver license office.

Licenses are valid for those who are at least 18 years old for up to eight years. Applicants will need to provide certain information to the DPS when applying:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship through documents like U.S. passport or birth certificate. (If not U.S. citizen, need to show proof of lawful presence.)
• Proof of Texas Residency.
• Proof of Identity.
• Social Security number.
• Current proof of Texas vehicle registration for every vehicle owned. (If they do not own a vehicle, they sign an affidavit stating this.)

Applicants must show proof of completion of the state’s Impact Texas Driver (ITD) program if they’re taking a driving test for issuance of a driver's license. Residents ages 18 through 24 also need to provide evidence of completion of a six-hour adult driver education course. This is not applicable to new residents who surrender their current out-of-state driver's license.

Once the applicant gathers their supporting documents and completes the necessary programs, they need to:

• Complete the DPS downloadable driver license form (DL-14A). They can pick one up at their local driver license office.
• Make a driver’s license office appointment.
• Give required documents to a license and permit specialist, including the form for the issuance of a driver's license; proof of U.S. citizenship or evidence of lawful presence; proof of state residency; and Social Security number.
• Sign for their driver’s license.
• Provide their thumbprint.
• Have their picture taken.
• Pay the driver’s license application fee.
• Take and pass the eye exam.
• Take and pass knowledge and driving tests online.

Applicants can prepare for the driving test by reviewing the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free and available online. Once they pass the test, the applicant receives a temporary driver’s license before leaving the driver license office. While still at the office, the applicant should review this license to make sure it is accurate.

If there is an error, the applicant should notify the license and permit specialist. The individual’s new permanent driver’s license will arrive within three weeks. Applicants can check its status through the DPS.

The DPS also issues photo identification cards for Texas residents who don’t need a driver’s license. They are valid for up to six years. To apply for a Texas state ID card, applicants must provide:

• Proof of their U.S. citizenship through documents like a U.S. passport or birth certificate. (If they aren’t a U.S. citizen, they need proof of lawful presence.)
• Proof of Texas residency.
• Proof of identity.
• Social Security number.

An applicant who wishes to get a state ID can use the REAL ID Document Check Application to assist them in preparing to visit their local driver license office. They can pick up the identification card form from their local driver license office. Once the applicant gathers their supporting documents and completes the necessary programs, they must:

• Complete the DPS downloadable identification card form (same as driver’s license form DL-14A).
  
• Make driver license office appointment.
• Give required documents to a license and permit specialist, including the form for issuance of a driver license; proof of U.S. citizenship or evidence of lawful presence; proof of state residency; and Social Security number.
• Sign for the identification card.
• Provide their thumbprint.
• Have their picture taken.
• Pay application fee.

The applicant will receive a temporary identification card before leaving the driver license office. While still at the office, the applicant should review their temporary ID to make sure it is accurate. If there is an an error, they should notify the license and permit specialist. The individual’s new ID will arrive within six weeks. Applicants can check its status through the DPS.

If a person loses their driver’s license or ID card, they can get a replacement using the DPS online card replacement feature by plugging in:

• Date of birth.
• Last four digits of Social Security number.
• Audit number from most recent ID card.

If the applicant does not have this information, they must visit their local driver license office in order to replace their license or ID card. To apply for a replacement driver license or ID card, the applicant must:

• Complete the DPS downloadable form DL-14A.
• Make a driver license office appointment.
• Give the required documents to a license and permit specialist, including the form for the issuance of a replacement driver's license or ID; proof of U.S. citizenship or evidence of lawful presence; and Social Security number.
• Provide their thumbprint.
• Have their picture taken.
• Pay application fee.

If applicant’s driver's license or identification card was stolen and used elsewhere, they must also file a police report. When replacing a stolen driver's license, applicants must bring a copy of the police report with them to the DPS. Driver license office staff will determine if the applicant needs a new license number.