What to Bring to the DPS to Get the Learner's Permit
After completing Module 1 and passing the DPS exam, the teen is ready to visit the Texas DPS driver license office to apply for the Learner's Permit. The teen must be at least 15 years old, and a parent or legal guardian must be present. Schedule an appointment at txdpsscheduler.com — walk-ins are not accepted.
Documents to Bring
Document | Details |
DE-964 Permit Qualification Certificate | From Driving Logic — printed. If the certificate has a green background, must be printed in color. DPS will reject a black-and-white printout of a green template. |
Proof of identity (one) | Original state-issued birth certificate or valid U.S. passport or passport card |
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence (one) | U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or lawful presence document |
Two proofs of Texas residency (from two different sources) | Utility bill, bank statement, lease or mortgage document, Texas voter registration card, school records. Must be two separate documents from two different sources. |
Social Security Number | Verified electronically at DPS — have the Social Security card available in case it is requested |
VOE — Verification of Enrollment and Attendance | Signed by a school official. Valid for 30 days from the date of issue (90 days if issued between June and August). |
Parent or legal guardian | Must be present. Bring their own valid government-issued ID. |
Application fee | $16 — paid at the DPS office |
VOE Alternatives
If the teen holds one of the following, a VOE is not needed: - High school diploma - GED (equivalent diploma) - Home school affidavit
Written Test at DPS
The written knowledge test is waived. The DE-964 Permit Certificate proves the test was passed online through the course. The teen will take a vision exam at the DPS office.
What Is NOT Required
The PTDE Packet does not need to be brought to the DPS for the Learner's Permit visit. DPS verifies program registration through their system. The certificate is what matters at the counter.
After the Visit
The DPS issues a temporary permit on the day of the visit. The official Learner's Permit card arrives by mail within 2–3 weeks. The 6-month holding clock begins on the date the permit is issued at the DPS — not when the card arrives in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the teen go to DPS without a parent? No. A parent or legal guardian must be present at the Learner's Permit application. If a non-family designated adult served as the PTDE instructor, that adult must also be present and the Parent Designation Form from the PTDE Packet must be submitted.
My teen's two residency documents are from the same company — do they count as two sources? No. The two residency documents must come from two different sources. For example, two utility bills from the same utility company would not satisfy the requirement — one from the utility and one from a bank would.
The VOE expired before the appointment — what do I do? Get a new VOE from the school. VOEs are valid for 30 days (or 90 days in summer). If the school is closed, reschedule the appointment to a date when a new VOE can be obtained. Alternatively, if the teen has graduated, bring the diploma instead.
The teen will turn 15 next week — can we schedule the DPS appointment before then? No. The teen must be 15 on the day of the appointment. Schedule for a date on or after the 15th birthday.