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MAKING SENSE OF THE LICENSECurrent Driver License IssuesI.Important linksA. Texas Dept. of Public Safety:www.txdps.state.tx.usB. License leligibility1. Fill in name, DOB, and last 4 numbers of Social Security2. Status will show “Eligible” or “Not Eligible”II.Pick-A-License; Any LicenseLink: htmA. Classifications1.2.3.Class A, Class B deal with vehicles over GVWR 26,001 poundsClass C: Most common – regular passenger vehicleClass M: Motorcycle and mopedA. Endorsements1.Usually added to CDL’s and commonly for hazardous material(H), tank vehicles (N), school bus (S), transportation of manypassengers (P)B. Restrictions1.2.3.III.May be placed on any driver license – 58 listedMust return to local Driver License Office to removeRestriction Code O – Occupational – with Court OrderHow can I get one? Applying for a LicenseLink: e.htmA. Brochure: www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DL57.pdf1

B. Documents to Prove:1. Identity, and2. Social Security Number, and3. U.S. Citizenship or lawful presence status, and4. Residency of Texas residency, and5. For every vehicle in your name, you must have current inspection,registration and liability insurance6. Appear in person at driver license office with completedapplication and required documents.7. Pass vision Test8. Pass written test9. Pass driving test10. If under 25, complete Driver Education Course11. Complete Impact Texas Teen Driver (ITTD) requirements foranyone under 25 years who completes a Teen Driver EducationCourseIV.Out-of-State License.A.Valid in Texas for 90 daysB.Extension for U.S. Military personnel on Active dutyC.To transfer the Out-of-State license for a Texas license, you surrenderyour Out-of-State license1. Available for all U.S. states, U.S. Territories, Canadian province,France, Germany, South Korea and Taiwan2. No knowledge test or driving test if they surrender out-of-statelicense3. If you don’t want to surrender out-of-state license, then you applyFor a Texas license complying with all requirements and testing.2

V.Out-of-County License.Link: www.txdps.state.tx/DriverLicense/reciprocity.htmA. Reciprocity Privilege1.B.C.Allows a person, 18 to 75, to use valid, unexpired foreignlicense to drive in United States for up to one year oruntil the person becomes a Texas resident.Governed and allowed by International Agreements signed byFederal Government:1.1949 World Convention on International Road Traffic2.1949 Inter-American Convention on the Regulation ofInternational-American Automotive Traffic3.North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)4.Multilateral Treaties in Force as of January 1, 2013International Driving Permit (IDP)1.Not a license, but a translation - usually into 10languages – of a license from another country; acompanion document to the foreign license2,U.S. does not require IDP’s with foreign license, butsome car rental companies do – they want translation3.Obtained in the country where license obtained, butnever used in the country where obtained4.Many U.S. citizens get an IDP to allow them to drive orrent cars in foreign countries.a.For U.S. citizens, the State Dept. authorizes onlytwo providers:American Automobile Assoc. (AAA)National Automobile Club (NAG)3

VI.ARE YOU RIGHT ABOUT THE PRIVILEGE?A.Right to drive: Republic of Texas, “Natural and Free Persons”B.Privilege to drive: Public safety, regulated activityC.State v.Villarreal, PD-0306-14 (Tex.Crim.App. 2014)“Even when operated normally, an automobile can be a dangerous implement; in the wronghands, it can be a deadly weapon. Walker v. State, 897 S.W.2d 812, 814 (Tex. Crim. App.1995). Because we all must share the public roadways, driving is a highly regulated activity—a privilege, not a right. See Texas Department of Public Safety v. Richardson, 384 S.W.2d 128,132 (Tex. 1964) ("It is clear that one making use of the highways of the state is exercisinga privilege which is subject to regulation."); Davison v. State,166 Tex. Cr. R. 376, 381, 313S.W.2d 883, 886 (1958) (opinion on State's motion for reh'g) (driving "is a privilege and nota right"). Most drivers understand this, having passed an examination before receiving a license,and having been pulled over for a driving infraction at some point if they have been licensed forany period of time at all.”D.VII.Newer Controversial discussion due to high number of licensesuspensions1.Surcharges and fees2.Child support and student loan arrearagesIDENTIFICATION, SECURITY and PRIVACYA.REAL ID Act, enacted by Congress 20051.Stricter ID documents2.Tamper-proof license3.“Machine-readable” technology that stores personal info4.Data put on national database, available to other statesand federal authoritiesB.Homeland Security v. Right to Privacy1.Federal Government v. State Government2.Govt. leverage: Commercial air travel3.States passing legislation barring their DMV fromcomplying4

Proof of Residencyin TexasWhen applying for your first Texas driver license (DL)or identification card, you must provide documentsto prove you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days.If you are surrendering a valid, unexpired driverlicense from another state, you must still prove yourTexas residency, but the 30-day requirement is waived.Simply provide two of the following documents thatcontain the same name and Texas residential/physicaladdress. Current deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement Current homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy orstatementElectric, water, natural gas, satellite television, cabletelevision, or non-cellular telephone statement dated Medical or health cardmail that is addressed to you with a forwarding address labelor an adhesive address label on the envelope. If you areunable to provide two documents from the list, you maysubmit a Texas residency affidavit from someone who residesdocuments for proof of residency.For affidavit requirements, visit us at .htm or ask a driverlicense office employee.Proof of Social SecurityNumberIf you are applying for a driver license or ID card, youmust provide your Social Security Number (SSN).‡Examples of documents to verify yourSSN include: Current automobile insurance policy or statementCurrent automobile payment bookletTexas high school, college, or university report card ortranscript for the current school yearPreprinted paycheck or pay stub dated within 90 days W-2 or 1099 tax form from the current year savings, investment account, or credit card statements Mail from a federal, state, county, or city governmentCurrent documents issued by the US MilitarySocial Security card (actual card)W-2 or 1099 tax formPay stub with preprinted name and SSN personnel only)Dependent military ID with preprinted SSN (DD-214) from the US Department of Defensewww.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense or visit us at a driverlicense office near you.Moving to TexasAn individual can legally drive with a valid, unexpired drivermoving to Texas. However, you must apply in person withinrequired by law to surrender your unexpired driver licenseissued by another state or Canadian province to DPS.Texas Driver License (DL)Document RequirementsWhat it Takes toApply for a DL orID CardWhen transferring an Out-of-State driver license to Texas,vehicle is registered under your name and is in the state ofTexas. Evidence of financial responsibility for each vehicleowned by you or a statement affirming that you do not owna motor vehicle is also required.ID cards issued from another US state, US territory or foreignIndividuals who are applying for a Texas driver license or IDwww.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense or visit us at a driverlicense office near you.Document Checklist Peace officer’s license, Texas Commission on LawEnforcement (TCOLE)Pilot’s license with preprinted SSNHealth card, Medicare or Medicaid card with SSNProof of Vehicle Insurance ‡According to state and federal law, DPS collects and uses SSNLawful Presencereleased to government agencies only for purposes authorized Concealed handgun license Current Form DS-2019, I-20, or a document issued byUSCISBoth documents cannot be from thesame source.For example, you cannot show a water bill and a gas billProof of Vehicle InsuranceAll original applicants must provide evidence of financialresponsibility for each vehicle owned by you or a statementaffirming that you do not own a motor vehicle.Proof of Residencyin TexasDRIVER LICENSE DIVISIONCreating a faster, easier, friendlierdriver license experience and a safer TexasProof of Social SecurityNumberDL-57 (09/15)www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense