Texas Permit Documents Checklist: What to Bring

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To get a Texas learner license (the permit stage for 15 to 17 year olds), you bring proof of identity, your Social Security number, proof of US citizenship or lawful presence, two proofs of Texas residency, a school attendance form (VOE) or diploma, and your driver education certificate, plus a parent or guardian to sign. This checklist sets out exactly which documents the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) rules accept, as of November 2026, so you get it right the first time.

Key facts

Who: Texas teens aged 15 to 17 who are enrolled in an approved driver education course.
Identity: one primary document (such as a US passport), or two secondary documents, or one secondary plus two supporting documents.
Residency: two documents with your name and Texas address, or a residency affidavit from a family member you live with.
School form: VOE valid 30 days from signing during the school year, 90 days in summer break.
Driver ed: the “For Learner License Only” part of the Texas Driver Education Certificate.
Fee: $15 for a learner license under state law (Transportation Code 521.421), as of November 2026. The DL-7 handbook adds a $1 administrative fee, so $16. Check the DPS fees page before you go.

Before you go: are you eligible?

You are at least 15 and under 18.
You are enrolled in an approved commercial, public school or parent-taught driver education course. Coursework can’t start before your 14th birthday.
You have finished the classroom hours needed for the learner license: the first 6 hours if you are on the concurrent method, or the whole classroom phase (at least 24 hours) on the block method.

Parent-taught? See Texas parent-taught driver education step by step.

The Texas learner license documents checklist

Completed application for a Texas driver license, signed by your parent or legal guardian (see below).
Proof of identity (see the table).
Social Security number. DPS records it and verifies it with the Social Security Administration.
Proof of US citizenship or lawful presence. For US citizens, a US passport or US birth certificate usually serves. Non-citizens must show a document from the appropriate US agency that authorizes them to be in the US.
Two proofs of Texas residency in your name, or a residency affidavit (see below).
VOE form signed by your school, or a high school diploma or GED.
Texas Driver Education Certificate, with the “For Learner License Only” section completed by your course.
Test results from your driver education provider, if it gave you the knowledge test. Anything your course didn’t do is done at the DPS office.
Evidence of financial responsibility for each vehicle you own, or a statement that you do not own one. The DL-7 asks all original applicants for this.
Any permit or license from another state you have held, or a DPS affidavit that it was lost, stolen or expired.
The fee. See Texas license fees and test booking.

Which identity documents does Texas accept?

DPS rules sort identity documents into three groups. Every document must be verifiable.

Group	Examples
Primary (one is enough)	Unexpired US passport; US citizenship (naturalization) certificate with photo; unexpired USCIS document with photo; unexpired US military ID; foreign passport with US visa and I-94 (conditions apply); Texas license or ID within two years of expiry
Secondary	Original or certified copy of a birth certificate from a US state vital statistics office (or a US territory, DC or Canadian province); US Department of State Certification of Birth Abroad; certified court order showing a name or gender change
Supporting	School records; Social Security card; insurance policy at least two years old; vehicle title; military records; voter registration card; and others listed in the rule

What you need: one primary document, or two secondary documents, or one secondary document plus two supporting documents. A common set for a teen: a US passport on its own, or a certified birth certificate plus two supporting documents such as a school record and a Social Security card.

Proof of Texas residency for teens

DPS asks original applicants for two documents showing your name and Texas home address. At least one must show you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days, unless you surrender a valid out-of-state license or ID. Accepted documents include:

A Texas high school, college or university report card or transcript for the current school year
A current car insurance card or policy, or homeowners or renters insurance
A utility or service bill dated within 180 days, including cell phone, internet or streaming bills
Bank or credit card statements dated within 180 days
Mail from a government agency dated within 180 days
A pay stub dated within 180 days, or a W-2 or 1099 for the most recent tax year
A lease, deed or mortgage statement

Two documents from the same source for different months don’t count. Mail with a forwarding label isn’t accepted.

No bills in your name? Use the residency affidavit

Many teens use this. A family member you live with completes a Texas residency affidavit. You then bring a document showing your relationship to them (for example, your birth certificate naming your parent) plus two acceptable residency documents in their name.

The VOE and school rules

A school official completes the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form.
It is valid for 30 days from the date it is signed while school is in session, and 90 days during summer break. Get it close to your appointment date.
Homeschooled? You can bring the VOE, or a letter from your instructor with the same information (without the school name and district).
If you already have a diploma or GED, bring that instead.

Who signs for a minor?

The person who has custody of you signs the application: usually a parent. If you aren’t in a parent’s custody, a guardian or someone with power of attorney from your parent signs. Failing that, the rules allow your employer, the county judge or a Department of Family and Protective Services custodian. Teens who are or have been married, or who have had the disabilities of minority removed by a court, can bring that proof instead of a parent’s signature.

Does a Texas learner license come as a REAL ID?

The documents above (identity, Social Security number, lawful presence and two proofs of address) match the federal REAL ID minimum. Ask DPS whether the card you’ll receive is REAL ID compliant. See REAL ID and your first US driver’s license.

Before you leave home

Originals or certified copies of identity documents, not photocopies
Names match across documents (bring a court order or other proof if not)
VOE signed within the last 30 days (90 in summer)
Residency documents dated within 180 days, where the rule sets a date
Driver education certificate with the learner section filled in
Parent or guardian with you to sign
Appointment booked: see booking a Texas DPS appointment
Ready for any tests not done by your course: see the Texas permit test guide and the Texas permit practice test

Common questions

Do I need my Social Security card for a Texas permit?

The rules require the number, and DPS verifies it with the Social Security Administration. The card is listed as a supporting identity document, so it can help make up your identity set. If you have never been issued a number, DPS has a Social Security affidavit for you to sign.

Can I use my parent’s bills as proof of residency?

Yes, through the residency affidavit. Your parent completes it, and you bring proof of your relationship plus two residency documents in their name.

How long is the Texas VOE good for?

30 days from the date it is signed during the school year, and 90 days during summer break.

Is a photocopy of my birth certificate OK?

No. The rule calls for an original or certified copy issued by a vital statistics office.

I’m 18. Do I need these documents?

The identity, Social Security, lawful presence and residency documents, yes. The learner license, VOE and parent signature rules are for 15 to 17 year olds. Adults follow a different route: see the Texas adult driver ed course and ITAD.

I just moved to Texas. What changes?

Bring any out-of-state permit or license. If you surrender a valid out-of-state license, the 30-day Texas residence requirement doesn’t apply. See moving to Texas.

Related guides

Sources

Texas Department of Public Safety, “Texas Driver Handbook” (DL-7, revised January 2026), chapter 1, How to Obtain a Texas Driver License (dps.texas.gov)
Texas Department of Public Safety, “37 Texas Administrative Code Section 15.24 Identification of Applicants” (text via law.cornell.edu)
Texas Department of Public Safety, “37 Texas Administrative Code Section 15.27 Issuance Requirements for Minor Driver License Applicants” and “Section 15.28 Learner, Provisional and Hardship License Requirements” (text via law.cornell.edu)
Texas Department of Public Safety, “37 Texas Administrative Code Section 15.42 Social Security Number” and “Section 15.49 Proof of Domicile” (text via law.cornell.edu)
Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code Chapter 521, Sections 521.142 and 521.421” (tcss.legis.texas.gov)
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “Verification of Enrollment and Attendance” (tdlr.texas.gov)

Texas Learner Permit Documents Checklist: What to Bring to DPS