Moving to Texas
Identification (ID) Cards
ID cards that have been issued in another U.S. state, U.S. territory or foreign country are valid in Texas until they expire. Individuals who want to apply for a Texas ID card once their current ID card expires must meet all of the requirements for a Texas ID card.
Individuals who are applying for a Texas driver license or ID card must meet all licensing and/or Identification Requirements
Driver Licenses
An individual can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another state or country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas.
NOTE: The individual must apply in person at any driver license office for a Texas driver license within those 90 days to continue driving legally. An unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or a Canadian province must be surrendered to DPS when applying for a Texas driver license.
Adults (18 and Older)
Individuals who hold a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state or U.S. territory, or from Canada, France, South Korea or Germany (the countries Texas has license reciprocity agreements with), do not have to take the knowledge or driving tests.
Individuals who hold a valid, unexpired learner license from Canada, France, South Korea or Germany have to take the driving test but not the knowledge test.
Individuals who hold a driver license from any country other than the U.S., Canada, France, South Korea or Germany must take the knowledge and driving tests because Texas does not have reciprocity agreements with other countries.
Minors (Under 18)
Individuals under 18 years of age must take the driving test even if they hold a valid driver license from another state or country.
Individuals under 18 years of age who hold a valid driver license or learner license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or from Canada do not have to take the knowledge test.
Individuals under 18 years of age from a country other than the U.S. or Canada are required to take the knowledge test. This includes France, South Korea and Germany because the reciprocity agreement with these countries does not apply to minors.
Active Duty and Recently Discharged Military
U.S. military on active duty or individuals recently discharged and hold an expired driver license from another state may be exempt from the driving and knowledge tests.
To qualify, individuals:
- Must present a valid military ID, and
- Provide proof that the state which issued the driver license has a military extension policy for which the individual qualifies. (The individual must contact the issuing state for correct documents.)