Information from the Texas Department of Public Safety about obtaining a driver’s license in Texas. Courtesy of Paul Parsons.

Jesse,
 
I left a message on your voice mail last night at 10:45 p.m. answering these questions.  Here is the response in writing with references to ensure you and Representative Wise have them.  Answers to these and other frequently asked driver license questions can be found on our web site at:  http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
administration/driver_licensing_control/dlindex.htm 

1. Is it possible now for an undocumented person to obtain a Texas driver license?
   
   -No.  Licensing requirements call for the applicant to have positive identification in order to receive a driver license.  Please refer to our web site at
   http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
   administration/driver_licensing_control/IdRequirements.htm for detailed information about this.
    
2. Does a person presently need a social security number in Texas to obtain a drivers license?
   
   No. Only those persons who possess a social security number have to provide it to our licensing personnel, as required by the Texas Family Code.  The intent of this requirement is to prevent a person from receiving a Texas driver license if they owe back child support.  Please refer to our web site at
   http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
   administration/driver_licensing_control/pages/socialsecuritynumber.htm. for detailed information about this, as well.
    
3. If a person is legally in the U.S. as a visitor, is he/she eligible to obtain a Texas drivers license even though he/she is not eligible to obtain a social security number?
   
   -Yes.  Refer back to my response to your first question, in that if an applicant possesses an accepted form of documentation, such as a visa or passport, then can apply for and receive a Texas driver license.  Again, this information is found at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
   administration/driver_licensing_control/IdRequirements.htm .
    

Please let me know if you need anything further regarding this or any other inquiry.  Have a great day.
 
Michael
 
Michael A. Kelley, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Director
Texas Department of Public Safety
PO Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0125
(512) 424-7272
F (512) 424-2966

-----Original Message-----
From: JESSE BERNAL [mailto:JESSE.BERNAL@house.state.tx.us]
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 10:29 PM
To: Judy.Brown@txdps.state.tx.us
Cc: Janie.Smith@txdps.state.tx.us; Michael.Kelley@txdps.state.tx.us
Subject: Questions From State Rep. Wise

Chief Brown,
 
Can you please provide Rep. Wise with information on the following three (3) questions:

1.  Is it possible now for an undocumented person to obtain a Texas drivers license?

2.  Does a person presently need a social security number in Texas to obtain a drivers license?

 3 .  If a person is legally in the U.S. as a visitor, is he/she eligible to obtain a Texas drivers license
even though he/she is not eligible to obtain a social security number?
 
Thank you very much for your cooperation and attention to this matter.
 
Jesse R. Bernal, Chief of Staff
PH: 512-463-0530