Can I get a driver license?

The short, qualified, answer is “yes.” Let me explain how you can do this in Texas.

If you are participating in a full-year exchange program, and you’d like to obtain a Texas Driver’s License at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), you should know the following.

First, as a J-1 High School student, under most programs, you may obtain your permit/license, however, you may not drive a vehicle – unless you do this while you are obtaining your permit/license. Once you have your permit/license, you are not allowed to drive.

Second, when taking the driving test, you must have access to a vehicle (e.g. your host family).

First Step – Applying for your Permit.

For full information on the steps required, visit the DPS page on Applying for a Learner License as a Teen.

1. You must be between 15 and 17 years of age.
2. Study the information about traffic laws in the Texas Driver’s Handbook, which is available in both English and Spanish, from the Department of Public Safety (DPS). You can also collect a printed version if you prefer.
3. Complete the first six hours of the driver education classroom instruction if you are using the concurrent method or all 32 hours of classroom instruction if you are using the block method.
4. Provide evidence that you are a student enrolled in a public, private, or home school and attended school for at least 90% of the time in the fall or spring semester preceding the date of application.
5. You must hold this license for at least six months unless you turn 18.

Second Step – Applying for your Learner License

Follow these steps to walk through what is needed for you to obtain your learner license.

1. Check the wait times for making an appointment for your driver’s license. In some parts of the Dallas metroplex, the wait exceeds 30+ days.
2. Make an appointment at a driver’s license office. Bring a parent or legal guardian (Host families will be asked to bring confirmation that they are your guardian during your school year, and this can be provided by ISE).
3. Complete your application
4. Bring your evidence of lawful presence
   • Passport
   • I-20 or DS-2019
   • Form I-94
5. You will not have a SSN, and you will need to sign a “Social Security Affidavit” at the DPS office when applying for your Texas Driver’s License.
6. Texas Driver Education Certificate showing classroom completion.
   1. Certified Driver Training Schools – (DE-964)
   2. Parent Taught Driver Education – (DE-964)
   3. Public School Driver Education – (DE-964E)
7. Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE form) issued by a school, or a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
   1. VOE requires a signature (a stamped or computer generated signature of a school official is acceptable), and
   2. Is valid for 30 days from issuance, or
   3. Is valid for 90 days from issuance between the months of June through August, or
   4. A current report card for the most recent school year (see Phase I information above).

You will be required to have your photograph taken, along with a scan of your fingerprints, and pass a vision test. You will also be required to pay the fee at this time.

Third Step – Obtaining your Provisional Driver License

• You must have held your valid learner license for at least six-months, unless you have reached 18 years of age (this is why this is only available to full-term exchange students).
• You must be between 16 and 17 years of age.
• You must have completed the behind-the-wheel portion of driver education, which includes:
  • 7 hours of in-car observation sitting beside the instructor, watching the instructor demonstrate certain points of instruction
  • 7 hours of in-car observation driving and demonstrating to the instructor that you have learned the points of instruction
  • 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice, of which at least 10 hours must be at night with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older in the vehicle at all times
• You must have completed the Impact Texas Teen Driver Program within the previous 90 days of taking your skills test
• You must successfully pass your driving test.
• This driver’s license will expire when you turn 18.  You will need to visit your local driver’s license office within 30 days of it expiring to renew it.  You will then be issued a driver’s license for individuals under 21 years of age. 

When you return to your home country, you will need to check with your local authorities on converting that license to a local license.

For more detailed information and links for how to apply please visit the Department of Public Safety’s web page