Driver's Licenses and IDs

Students and scholars who do not plan to drive in the U.S. should apply for a Texas Photo Identification Card at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS is currently offering Photo ID services by appointment only. This card is not related to driving. It is useful as identification when a photo ID is required. There is a $16.00 fee for this card.

You will need the following documents:

• Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Form I-94
• Current enrollment letter (you can get one from the Registrar’s Office, MAI Room 1)
• Completed application
• If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), present your Social Security card at the time of application. However, an SSN is not necessary to apply for a Texas ID.
• You may be asked to show two items proving your current address, such as a lease or piece of mail with your name and address (cable, gas or electric bills are good choices). To avoid difficulties at DPS, ensure that your address matches on each document, including the room or apartment number. Your room number must be included if you live in a dormitory.

Students and scholars who will be in the U.S. for longer than 30 days and plan to drive a car should obtain a Texas Driver’s License at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS is currently offering Photo ID services by appointment only. Access to a car, knowledge of Texas driving regulations, as well as testable driving skills are basic requirements for a driver’s license. You must provide your own vehicle when taking the driving test.

Take the following steps to obtain your driver’s license:

1. Study the information about traffic laws in the Texas Driver’s Handbook, which is available online in both English and Spanish.
2. Complete the application.
3. Make an appointment to take the written and in-car examinations for driving at any DPS office.
4. Pay the $33.00 fee for your Driver’s License.
5. You will need the following documents:

• Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Form I-94
• Current enrollment letter.
  • UT Students: Request an Enrollment Certification.
  • English Language Center Students: contact elc@austin.utexas.edu.
• Completed application Social Security card (if you are eligible to obtain an SSN).
• If you are not eligible for an SSN, you will need to sign a “Social Security Affidavit” at the DPS office when applying for your Texas Driver’s License.
• You may be asked to show two items proving your current address, such as a lease or piece of mail with your name and address (cable, gas or electric bills are good choices). To avoid difficulties at DPS, ensure that your address matches on each document, including the room or apartment number. Your room number must be included if you live in a dormitory.

Note: If you own a car but do not have insurance, you will NOT be permitted to apply for a driver’s license. If possible, it is recommended that you apply for a driver’s license before you purchase a car.

Government agencies use the SAVE system, which stands for Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, to determine if you are in a valid immigration status before granting a benefit such as a driver’s license or social security number. Sometimes the officer assisting you at DPS may not be able to immediately verify your valid student or scholar visa status. If the DPS officer is not able to verify your status in the SAVE system, you should politely ask to speak with a supervisor. Supervisors at DPS may have more training in F-1 and J-1 visa issues and be better able to assist in the SAVE verification process. If a supervisor is not able to verify your valid student status, DPS should initiate a secondary verification process.

Here are some common reasons students and scholars are not able to get a Texas ID or driver’s license on the first try:

• You have gone to the DPS office too early. After you arrive in the U.S., Texas Global updates your SEVIS record (I-20 or DS-2019) to show that you are here and that you have checked in with our office. Students should plan to wait at least 10 days from entering the U.S. and at least 2 days from registering for classes before visiting DPS. J-1 scholars should wait at least 10 days from entering the U.S. and 3 days after attending the J-1 Scholar Orientation. Transfer students and students who have an I-20 that has been updated for change of level will need to wait at least two days after checking in and registering for classes before visiting DPS.
• Inconsistencies in your immigration documents. If your name on your I-20 or DS-2019 does not match your passport exactly, please bring this to the attention of Texas Global before visiting DPS.
• You have a pending change of status or OPT application. If you are changing to a new immigration status or you are applying for OPT, it may be difficult for the DPS officer to verify your valid status. If this is the case for you, be sure to ask to meet with a supervisor at DPS. Even if you meet with a supervisor, additional research may be required to verify your status. If this is the case, the DPS officer will initiate a secondary verification of your status. You should expect delays in the processing of your driver’s license or Texas ID if you have a pending OPT or STEM OPT application, you have a cap gap I-20, or you have a pending change of status application.

What to do if your status cannot be verified:

1. Be sure to bring all immigration documents with you to your appointment with DPS:

• If you have a pending change of status or OPT application, your status may need to be verified by using the USCIS case number instead of your SEVIS ID.
• If you are on OPT and have a pending H1B petition, be sure to bring your cap gap I-20 with you, along with the I-797C receipt notice from USCIS.

2. If DPS refers you to Texas Global to discuss your status, collect as much information as possible, then make an appointment to meet with an international advisor. Ask the agency for details about the issue and take notes so an advisor in Texas Global can best assist you:

• Is secondary verification in SAVE in progress?
• What is your SAVE verification case number?
• What documents were reviewed in the visit?
• What error message was received?
• Which system or database was used?
• If SAVE verification is not the issue, what other factors are making you ineligible for the benefit?

3. You can monitor the progress of your secondary verification on the  SAVE verification website. Be sure to ask DPS when you can return for services after your case has been resolved. Although your case may be resolved in SAVE, the information may take additional time to sync with agency databases.

International dependents (F-2, J-2, H-4, etc.) can obtain a Texas Driver’s License at the Texas Department of Public Safety Office (DPS). DPS is currently offering driver’s license services by appointment only. Access to a car, knowledge of Texas driving regulations, and testable driving skills are basic requirements for a driver’s license. You must provide your own vehicle when taking the driving test.

Take the following steps to obtain your driver’s license:

1. If you are eligible to obtain an SSN (i.e. you are a J-2 dependent and have work authorization), take your EAD (Employment Authorization Document), passport,  Form I-94  and DS-2019 to the Social Security Administration to apply for an SSN. It will take approximately two to four weeks to obtain your Social Security card. If you are not eligible for an SSN (i.e. you are an F-2 or H-4 dependent, or a J-2 dependent without work authorization), you will need to sign a “Social Security Affidavit” at the DPS office when applying for your Texas Driver’s License. Note: If you have already obtained an SSN from a previous visit to the U.S., you will not need to go to the Social Security Office. Simply present your Social Security card to the DPS when applying for your driver’s license.
2. Follow steps 1 -3 of  "Driver’s license for international visitors (F-1 and J-1)"
3. You will need the following documents:

• Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Form I-94
• Spouse’s current enrollment letter (if you are a dependent of a student)
• Social Security card (if applicable)
• Completed application
• Student’s current enrollment letter (if you are a dependent of a student). Instructions for obtaining an Enrollment Certification can be found in the Driver’s License for International Visitors (F-1 and J-1) section on this page.

Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website for the most up-to-date information. DPS is currently offering driver’s license services by appointment only.

Regular office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Central Austin: 6121 North Lamar Blvd (512-424-2076) – open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays
• Northwest Austin: 13730 Research Blvd (512-506-2847) - open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays
• South Austin: 6425 South Interstate 35, Suite 180 (512-444-5241) - open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays
• Austin-Pflugerville Mega Center: 216 E. Wells Branch Parkway, Pflugerville, TX 78660 (512-486-2800)

Texas automatically registers all men ages 18 to 25 for the Selective Service when they apply for a driver’s license or state ID. Students, scholars, and dependents with a valid non-immigrant visa status do not need to register for the Selective Service.

If you are registered for the Selective Service, you should receive a registration acknowledgment letter from the Selective Service System. After you receive the letter, you will need to return it to the Selective Service System with a copy of a document confirming your identity and a document that shows your current visa status. You can find the List of Acceptable Documents on the Selective Service website.

You will then mail the original registration acknowledgment letter and copies of the required documents to the following address:

Selective Service System
P.O. Box 94638
Palatine, Illinois 60094-4638

If you need additional assistance with this process, you can contact the Selective Service System’s Registration Information Office Call Center:

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (closed on federal holidays)

Phone: 847-688-6888 or toll-free within the U.S.: 1-888-655-1825

Email: DMCSupport@sss.gov; DMCEspanol@sss.gov (en Español)