I'm a new resident in Texas: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Texas. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Texas

Each rule comes from the Texas driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Up to 90 days to drive on a valid out-of-state license; transfer in person.

  What the manual says

  • You have 90 days

    After you move to Texas, you can drive with your valid, unexpired license from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory, a Canadian province or a qualifying country for up to 90 days. To transfer an out-of-state license, you must visit a driver license office in person.

  • You have 90 days

    After you move to Texas, you can drive with your valid, unexpired license from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory, a Canadian province or a qualifying country for up to 90 days. To transfer an out-of-state license, you must visit a driver license office in person.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  18+, license valid or expired up to 2 years: no knowledge or driving test. Under 18: driving test.

  What the manual says

  • What is waived (18 or older)

    If you are 18 or older and your out-of-state license is valid or expired for no more than 2 years, you do not take the knowledge or driving tests. You also do not need the ITD course or adult driver education. If your out-of-state license is valid and unexpired, you still need proof of Texas residency, but you do not have to show that you lived in Texas for 30 days. DPS may still ask for a driving test at any time.

  • What is waived (18 or older)

    If you are 18 or older and your out-of-state license is valid or expired for no more than 2 years, you do not take the knowledge or driving tests. You also do not need the ITD course or adult driver education. If your out-of-state license is valid and unexpired, you still need proof of Texas residency, but you do not have to show that you lived in Texas for 30 days. DPS may still ask for a driving test at any time.

  • If you are under 18

    If you surrender a valid license or permit from another state, you get the same type of Texas license. With a valid license or learner license from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory or a Canadian province, you do not take the knowledge test, but everyone under 18 must take the driving test. If you are 15 or older and bring an instruction permit (learner permit) from another state and a VOE form, you get a Texas learner license. You must hold it for at least 6 months from the date it is issued, or until you turn 18. To move up to a provisional license, you must also complete the ITD course and pass the driving test.

  Source: [1] [3] [4] [5] [6]

• Liability insurance

  Minimum liability insurance: $30,000 per person injured, $60,000 for two or more people, $25,000 property damage.

  What the manual says

  • As of January 1, 2011, the minimum liability insurance in Texas is $30,000 against injury or death of one person.
  • The minimum liability insurance in Texas is $60,000 against injury or death of two or more individuals.
  • The minimum liability insurance in Texas is $25,000 against property damage.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 18

• Change of address

  Report a change of address to DPS within 30 days.

  What the manual says

  • Carry your license and keep your address current

    Always carry your license when you drive. Show it when a police officer, a judge or anyone in a crash with you asks for it. Report a change of address to DPS within 30 days.

  Source: [5]

• How long the license lasts

  A Texas driver license is valid for up to 8 years; some people get a shorter term.

  What the manual says

  • How long it is valid

    A Texas driver license is valid for up to 8 years. Some people get a shorter term, for example when their lawful presence must be verified. You can renew up to 2 years before your license expires. At least once every 16 years, you must go to an office for a vision test and a new photo, signature and fingerprints.

  Source: [7] [5] [8]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  No driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m., except for work, school activity or medical emergency.

  What the manual says

  • During Phase Two, drivers may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless necessary for work, a school-related activity, or a medical emergency.

  • Get your provisional license (age 16 or 17)

    You can get a provisional license when you are 16 or 17 and have held your learner license for at least 6 months. Your Texas learner license is enough as proof of identity. The license is marked "PROVISIONAL" and expires on your 18th birthday. Until then, you must follow these limits:

    • Do not drive with more than 1 passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
    • Do not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m., except for work, school activities or a medical emergency.
    • Do not use a phone while driving, not even hands-free, except in an emergency.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 3

  Source: [9] [5] [10]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  No more than 1 passenger under 21 who is not a family member.

  What the manual says

  • During Phase Two, drivers may not have more than one passenger in the vehicle under age 21 who is not a family member.

  • Get your provisional license (age 16 or 17)

    You can get a provisional license when you are 16 or 17 and have held your learner license for at least 6 months. Your Texas learner license is enough as proof of identity. The license is marked "PROVISIONAL" and expires on your 18th birthday. Until then, you must follow these limits:

    • Do not drive with more than 1 passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
    • Do not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m., except for work, school activities or a medical emergency.
    • Do not use a phone while driving, not even hands-free, except in an emergency.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 3

  Source: [9] [5] [10]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero tolerance: DPS may suspend the license of a driver under 21 with any detectable amount of alcohol.

  What the manual says

  • Zero tolerance means that even if a minor is not intoxicated under the DWI statute, but has any detectable amount of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle (or watercraft) in a public place, the minor has committed the offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor.
  • For individuals under 21 years of age, DPS is authorized to suspend a license under ALR for any detectable amount of alcohol.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 56, 12

• Refusing a chemical test

  Adult refusing a breath or blood test: license suspended 180 days; up to 730 days for later offenses.

  What the manual says

  • An adult who refuses to give a blood or breath specimen will have their driver license suspended for 180 days (or up to 730 days for subsequent offenses).

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 58

• Seat belts

  Driver and all passengers, any age, in belted seats. Unbelted passenger under 17: the driver is fined.

  What the manual says

  • The driver and all passengers, regardless of age, are required to use safety belts if occupying a seat equipped with one.
  • Passengers under 17 years old riding without a safety belt result in a fine of $100 to $200 assessed to the driver.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 64

• Child safety seats

  Children under 8 must be in a federally approved car seat unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches.

  What the manual says

  • Any child under 8 years old must be secured in a federally approved child car seat unless the child is more than 4'9" tall.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 64

• Phone use while driving

  Reading, writing or sending messages on a phone is illegal; under 18: no phone use, even hands-free, except emergencies.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook states: 'It is against the law to read, write, or send messages on a cell phone or other portable wireless device.'
  • All drivers under 18 are restricted from using a wireless communication device, including a hands-free device, except in case of an emergency.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 54, 3

• School buses

  Stop from both directions for flashing red lights; except separate roadways and controlled-access loading zones where pedestrians cannot cross.

  What the manual says

  • If you approach a school bus from either direction and it is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop.
  • It is not necessary to stop when passing a school bus on a different road, or when it is stopped in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway where pedestrians are not permitted to cross.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 23

• Move Over law

  Vacate the closest lane (2+ lanes your way) or slow 20 mph below limit; covers emergency, tow, utility, TxDOT vehicles.

  What the manual says

  • Unless an officer directs otherwise, you must either vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle (on a highway with two or more lanes in your direction) or slow to not more than 20 mph below the posted limit (less than 5 mph when the limit is under 25 mph).
  • The law requires drivers to reduce their speed to 20 mph below the speed limit if they do not move out of the lane closest to the stopped vehicle.
  • The Slow Down or Move Over law applies to emergency medical vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, tow trucks, utility service vehicles, and TxDOT or other highway construction/maintenance vehicles stopped with lights activated.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 23, 46

• Headlights

  From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is under 1,000 feet.

  What the manual says

  • Texas law requires headlights beginning 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and anytime people or vehicles cannot be seen clearly for at least 1,000 feet.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 47

• Right turn on red

  After stopping, right on red allowed unless a sign or law prohibits it; yield to others.

  What the manual says

  • At a steady red light, you may turn right after stopping unless prohibited by law.
  • You must yield to all pedestrians and other traffic lawfully using the intersection before proceeding.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 25

• Speed limits

  Urban district 30 mph; numbered highways outside urban districts 70 mph; some limited-access highways up to 85 mph.

  What the manual says

  • Table 22 lists the speed limit for an urban district as 30 mph.
  • Table 22 lists 70 mph as the speed limit for passenger cars, motorcycles, light trucks, and similar vehicles on a Texas- or U.S.-numbered highway outside an urban district.
  • The handbook states that many limited access highways have speed limits of 75 up to 85 mph.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 46

• Left lane and keeping right

  The right lane is for slower traffic; use the middle or left lane when passing or going faster.

  What the manual says

  • Vehicles in any lane, except the right lane used for slower traffic, should be prepared to move to another lane to allow faster traffic to pass.
  • Use the middle or left lane if you are traveling faster than other traffic or passing other vehicles.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 48, 47

• Points and suspension

  Suspension possible after 4+ convictions in 12 months or 7+ in 24; under 18: 2+ in 12 months.

  What the manual says

  • Repeated violations can be grounds for administrative suspension when there are four or more traffic convictions occurring separately within any 12-month period, or seven or more within any 24-month period.
  • DPS may suspend or revoke, after a hearing, the license of a minor driver who has two or more traffic convictions occurring separately within any 12-month period for a driver who is less than 18 years of age.

  Source: Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026), page 11, 12

Official steps for moving to Texas

• You have 90 days

  After you move to Texas, you can drive with your valid, unexpired license from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory, a Canadian province or a qualifying country for up to 90 days. To transfer an out-of-state license, you must visit a driver license office in person.

  Source: [1] [2]

• What is waived (18 or older)

  If you are 18 or older and your out-of-state license is valid or expired for no more than 2 years, you do not take the knowledge or driving tests. You also do not need the ITD course or adult driver education. If your out-of-state license is valid and unexpired, you still need proof of Texas residency, but you do not have to show that you lived in Texas for 30 days. DPS may still ask for a driving test at any time.

  Source: [1] [3] [4]

• What you surrender and register

  You must surrender (hand in) your out-of-state license. Before you apply, register all your vehicles with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. New residents who surrender an out-of-state license must show proof of Texas vehicle registration, or state that they do not own a vehicle that must be registered. A registration receipt from the tax assessor-collector of the county where you live is accepted as proof.

  Source: [1] [11] [5]

• If you are under 18

  If you surrender a valid license or permit from another state, you get the same type of Texas license. With a valid license or learner license from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory or a Canadian province, you do not take the knowledge test, but everyone under 18 must take the driving test. If you are 15 or older and bring an instruction permit (learner permit) from another state and a VOE form, you get a Texas learner license. You must hold it for at least 6 months from the date it is issued, or until you turn 18. To move up to a provisional license, you must also complete the ITD course and pass the driving test.

  Source: [1] [5] [6]

• If your license is from another country

  Texas has license reciprocity (a mutual agreement) with France, Germany, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan. If you have a valid, unexpired license from one of these countries, the knowledge and driving tests may be waived. This does not apply if you choose to keep your foreign license. If you are under 18, you must still take the driving test, and you may also have to take the knowledge test. If your license is from any other country and you have never been licensed in a U.S. state or territory, you must take the driving test. A license that is not in English or Spanish must be translated by a translation service or your consulate before you arrive in Texas.

  Source: [1] [5] [4]

Sources

1. Moving to Texas: A Guide to Driver Licenses and IDs (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
2. Section 1: Applying for or Renewing a Driver License, Identification Card, or Commercial Driver License (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
3. Texas Residency Requirement for Driver Licenses and ID Cards (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
4. How to Prepare for a Drive Test (DL-60, rev. 03-2026) (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
5. Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Revised January 2026 (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
6. Texas Learners License as a Teen (Teen Drivers Phase I) (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
7. Driver License (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
8. Driver License Services - Appointments (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
9. Texas Provisional License as a Teen (Teen Drivers Phase II) (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
10. What to bring with you when applying as a Teen Driver for your Provisional Driver License (DL-68) (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety
11. Apply for a Texas Driver License (dps.texas.gov) — Texas Department of Public Safety