Getting a Texas DL

[JALLEN]

Am I reading the regs right to the effect that one must live in Texas for 30 days before applying for a Texas DL?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetfo ... s/DL-5.pdf

[SigM4]

Believe so.

[srothstein]

Thanks for posting this. I did not know the law had changed so at first I thought it was not possible to meet their application requirements. The law used to require you apply for a license within 30 days of getting here. The new law gives you 90 days to change your license, so making the lease or documentation show 30 days residence is not too bad. But it does mean they now have an easier way to enforce the max limit by checking the documentation. I just wonder if they will cite anyone who is late doing this.

[JALLEN]

You have 30 days to register your cars which I imagine requires a Texas d/l but you can't get one for 30 days..... This will be interesting.

[flechero]

You have 30 days to register your cars which I imagine requires a Texas d/l but you can't get one for 30 days..... This will be interesting.

Yes, if you don't get both taken care of on exactly the 30th day, you will be arrested and deported back to Ca.

[krieghoff]

I think I would arm myself with copies of my closing docs and utility service docs and head to the local DPS license office. I am sure this happens daily. Also being in Comal county, it won't be like dealing with folks in a major city. I have noticed that through time.
Good luck and welcome back to Texas.

[cbunt1]

You have 30 days to register your cars which I imagine requires a Texas d/l but you can't get one for 30 days..... This will be interesting.

I don't think it does. The only time I've ever had to show a DL/ID for auto registration is to cover the check I write after the fact. The only exception to that was when I had a couple of vehicles registered under a corporate name, and then ONLY if I let the registration expire before renewal -- and that was centered around whether the registration was to be back-dated to original expiration or for a year going forward (continuous registration questions -- i.e. did you get a ticket for expired registration.)

The chicken-and-egg problem on registering in Texas isn't bad as long as you don't ask anyone who "SHOULD" know...it's straightforward.

1) Get an insurance card for the vehicle -- a policy that meets Texas standards--a simple binder from your agent will cover this (Any legal DL is good enough, at this point, BTW)
2) Get the car inspected by a Texas inspection station, and ask for the full inspection form, as well as the form for out of-state registration transfer (I forget what it's called, but any inspector should know what you're talking about). If they balk, they're not up to speed on procedure--you can put a Texas inspection certificate on an out-of-state car.
3) Take the inspection certificate to the DMV to start that process. To register in Texas (new registration) it has to be inspected with a Texas certificate first.

Nowhere along that process do you have to have a Texas DL.

My advice: While you're at the DMV in line, go ahead and get a Texas State ID card as well...you'll find it handy from time to time, and personally, nobody gets my drivers license for anything not directly related to driving a car...everything else is on my Texas state ID.

If memory serves, actually getting a Texas DL should be a simple paperwork process if you surrender a valid out-of-state DL as well...the only exceptions to that is if it's an out of state Commercial license, in which case you might have to do some written tests.

[texanjoker]

You have 30 days to register your cars which I imagine requires a Texas d/l but you can't get one for 30 days..... This will be interesting.

When I moved here from CA they required your car to be registered before you could get a DL. They also wanted to see the full insurance policy vs. the card as they said some from CA do not have the required minimum coverage that TX requires. When registered the cars for the first time they have some nice "welcome to Texas" taxes they throw at you. After that the yearly is way cheaper then CA.

[ELB]

...
My advice: While you're at the DMV in line, go ahead and get a Texas State ID card as well...you'll find it handy from time to time, and personally, nobody gets my drivers license for anything not directly related to driving a car...everything else is on my Texas state ID.
...

I am curious about why you do that...?

[Jumping Frog]

Am I reading the regs right to the effect that one must live in Texas for 30 days before applying for a Texas DL?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetfo ... s/DL-5.pdf

From: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLice ... NonCDL.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This 30 day requirement is waived for individuals who are surrendering a valid, unexpired driver license from another state.

Individuals who are unable to provide two acceptable documents may be eligible to complete a Texas Residency Affidavit.

NOTE: A brochure listing all of the following documents is available for download.

Any of the following documents will be accepted to verify an individual’s Texas residency. The two documents provided must be issued by different companies or agencies. For example, an individual may not use a water bill and an electricity bill from the same company.

NOTE: Remember, all documents presented must contain the individual’s name and Texas residential address.

Residency Documents:

Current deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or a residential rental/lease agreement
Valid, unexpired Texas voter registration card
Texas motor vehicle registration or title
Texas boat registration or title
Texas concealed handgun license
Utility statement (including electric, water, natural gas, satellite TV, cable TV or noncellular phone bill) dated within 90 days of the date of application
Selective Service card
Medical or health card
Current homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy or homeowner’s or renter’s insurance statement
Current automobile insurance policy or an automobile insurance statement
Texas high school, college or university report card or transcript for the current school year
W-2 or 1099 tax form from the current tax year
Mail from financial institutions; including checking, savings, investment account and credit card statements dated within 90 days of the date of application
Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency dated within 90 days of the date of application
Current automobile payment booklet
Pre-printed paycheck or payment stub dated within 90 days of the date of application
Current documents issued by the U.S. military indicating residence address
Document from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice indicating the applicant's recent release or parole
Current Form DS2019, I-20 or a document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Easiest for me was first binding insurance on my cars. Then I took a copy of my car insurance statement and a copy of my house closing documents for proof of residency.

My valid, unexpired, out-of-state drivers license, social security card, and passport satisfied proof of identity, SSN, and citizenship.

[cbunt1]

...
My advice: While you're at the DMV in line, go ahead and get a Texas State ID card as well...you'll find it handy from time to time, and personally, nobody gets my drivers license for anything not directly related to driving a car...everything else is on my Texas state ID.
...

I am curious about why you do that...?

A couple of reasons. One is work related, and the other has to do with a personal experience that set me off.

The first reason: In my former position, I frequently found myself having to offer up a driver's license for a property manager to hold while I checked out a key to a telecom room or some "non-public" area of a high-rise structure (I was a corporate phone-man at the time). Naturally, it meant that I was working after hours (often way after midnight) in downtown areas, or other less-than-desirable areas to be in at 3AM. Consequently I wouldn't be disarmed...but for a CHL to be valid, it must be presented with another state ID (DL or Texas ID card). Thus if I gave up my "card" I wasn't 100% legal packing my pistol.

The second reason: Once upon a time I used my debit/credit card to make a purchase in a convenience store. They asked for ID (no issue there, really--I mark my cards with "CHECK ID" and if they don't I frequently sign the slip "CHECK ID") ... but the trouble started when the clerk started to write down my DL#. I explained that that was unacceptable as I snapped my wallet shut. We went around for a few minutes with me reminding her that she had already accepted my tender, and was "SO OUT OF LUCK" at that point if she chose to reverse the charge...anyway, long story short--she wrote down as much of the DL as she could remember, I reported the incident to Visa, and decided "NEVER AGIAIN." My Texas ID #, while it is an ID as valid as a DL, wouldn't get you nearly as far...so from now on, NOBODY but NOBODY gets my driver license except a peace officer, and then ONLY for something related to driving.

The second reason was more me being a reactionary overly private (some say secretive) individual, but the first reason is undeniably handy when I need to provide a "token" to maintain a building key, or open a tab, or some such, while I can keep my actual DL on my person for any and all other potential needs.

Since you can get both cards at the same time, in the same line, for just a nominal fee, might as well. It's not the end of the world if you don't, but it's been undeniably handy for me.

[mr surveyor]

danged illegal aliens

welcome home, Mr. Allen, welcome home!

[ELB]

...
My advice: While you're at the DMV in line, go ahead and get a Texas State ID card as well...you'll find it handy from time to time, and personally, nobody gets my drivers license for anything not directly related to driving a car...everything else is on my Texas state ID.
...

I am curious about why you do that...?

A couple of reasons. One is work related, and the other has to do with a personal experience that set me off.

...

Since you can get both cards at the same time, in the same line, for just a nominal fee, might as well. It's not the end of the world if you don't, but it's been undeniably handy for me.

Thanks, very interesting points. I always hated forking over my DL as collateral (or maybe a hostage). Didn't realize I could get both the DL and the ID.

Thanks again.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

This past Sunday/Monday I was down to Austin to see my son.

He needed a new DL since he never carried the previous one in a wallet, so it was just tatters.

Monday afternoon about 3 PM we head over to the DL office on Burnet Road in Austin, which is just
a mile or so from his residence.

PERMANENTLY CLOSED!! The sign directed us to some super DPS office in Pflugerville.

We didn't have time to run up there and find the place, so that remains an undone errand. Grrrr! :-(

SIA

[krieghoff]

This past Sunday/Monday I was down to Austin to see my son.

He needed a new DL since he never carried the previous one in a wallet, so it was just tatters.

Monday afternoon about 3 PM we head over to the DL office on Burnet Road in Austin, which is just
a mile or so from his residence.

PERMANENTLY CLOSED!! The sign directed us to some super DPS office in Pflugerville.

We didn't have time to run up there and find the place, so that remains an undone errand. Grrrr! :-(

SIA

There is a DPS License office down on South Congress about a mile or so south of Ben White. Just past Hills cafe on your left. Maybe not as close but easy to get to.