Reviewed and updated October 14, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read that day from the Texas agency that publishes it, the Department of Public Safety for driver licenses and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for titles and registration, and the official page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
How Texas licenses non-citizens: the three categories DPS uses, the documents for each, the limited term license or ID for temporary visitors and its renewal, the DHS verification at the office, the Social Security number rule, and the foreign license and reciprocity rules. The application steps are on the driver license page.
In this guide: The three categories, The documents, The limited term license or ID, The DHS verification at the office, The Social Security number, Foreign licenses and reciprocity, Questions about limited term licenses
The three categories
DPS's citizenship and lawful presence page requires every applicant to present one document from the category that fits them. U.S. citizens prove citizenship. U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylees prove their status with documents DPS verifies through the Department of Homeland Security, and otherwise apply like citizens. Temporary visitors, everyone else lawfully present, receive a card marked Limited Term. Applicants who are none of these but hold certain work visas may be eligible for a non-domiciled commercial license, on the CDL rules guide. DPS's Verifying Lawful Presence guide (DL-53) lists the immigration statuses, whether each is eligible for a license or ID, and the documents, and its DL-62 explains how the verification is completed.
The documents
Citizens: a valid U.S. passport book or card; an original or certified birth certificate from a U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia (laminated copies and photocopies refused, Puerto Rican certificates issued before July 1, 2010 not recognized); a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) or Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545); a Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization with photo (N-550, N-560, N-561, N-570 or N-578); or a U.S. citizen identification card (I-179 or I-197).
Nationals, permanent residents, refugees and asylees: a U.S. passport stating the bearer is a national and not a citizen; a valid Permanent Resident Card (I-551); a machine readable immigrant visa with temporary I-551 language and an ADIT stamp; a valid foreign passport with a visa (valid or expired) and a valid I-94, the visa waived for parolees, citizens of Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia and certain Canadians; or a valid employment authorization document (I-766). DPS says expired documents may be accepted in this category unless noted. The primary identity documents on the driver license page include the same DHS documents, an I-94 stamped asylee or refugee with photo, travel documents, advance parole, and the American Indian and Northern Mariana cards.
The limited term license or ID
DPS's temporary visitors page says a temporary visitor who meets the requirements receives a driver license or ID card with Limited Term printed on it, expiring when the period of lawful presence expires, or in one year when the period is duration of status; cards issued before September 2011 read Temporary Visitor and become Limited Term at renewal. Renewal is in person at any driver license office with documents verifying the current lawful presence: a status change or an extension of stay when the original period has expired, or documents confirming that a duration-of-status presence has not changed. The fee is $33 for the license and $16 for the ID, and DPS lists limited term and non-domicile cards among those that cannot renew online.
The DHS verification at the office
At the office the specialist verifies the period of lawful presence with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and no license or ID can be issued until DHS verifies it. When the electronic check does not confirm the information at once, an additional verification is started and the applicant is told what to do next; the License Eligibility page shows whether DPS has received DHS's response. Because of the processing time, DPS encourages renewing at least 30 days before expiration. The DHS check applies to every transaction a non-citizen makes, including an address change, and DPS's State-to-State check cancels any card from another state once Texas issues one.
The Social Security number
DPS's Social Security number page requires the number on every application, verified electronically with the Social Security Administration within seconds; a number that does not verify stops the issuance until the SSA corrects it. A person who is not eligible for a number completes a Social Security Number Affidavit (DL-13) at the office, certifying that they never applied for, were never issued and are not eligible for one, or applied and were denied; a false statement cancels the card and may bring criminal charges. The affidavit is not accepted for a commercial license, and DPS says a person not eligible for a number is not eligible for a CDL. The number is neither printed on the card nor stored in its bar code, and DPS shares it only with agencies legally allowed to see it.
Foreign licenses and reciprocity
DPS's reciprocity page allows a valid, unexpired foreign license to be used in Texas for up to one year or until the holder becomes a Texas resident, whichever is sooner, under the 1943 Inter-American Convention, the NATO agreement, the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and a State Department list of countries, for private vehicles, drivers 18 to 75, a vehicle registered and marked with its country of origin, and a license or international permit translated into English. A new resident then has 90 days to get a Texas license; holders of a valid license from France, Germany, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates or Taiwan skip the knowledge and skills exams unless they keep the foreign license, and licenses not in English or Spanish are translated by a translation service or a consulate before the visit. Only Canadian and Mexican commercial licenses carry full reciprocity.
Questions about limited term licenses
Who is a temporary visitor?
Anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee, in DPS's definition. A permanent resident, refugee or asylee applies for a regular license like a citizen, with the documents in their category.
How long does a limited term license last?
Until the period of lawful presence expires, or one year when that period is duration of status. The fee is $33 for a license and $16 for an ID card.
Can it be renewed online?
No. A limited term license or ID is renewed in person with documents verifying the lawful presence status: a status change or extension if the original period expired, or confirmation that a duration-of-status presence is unchanged. DPS suggests renewing at least 30 days before expiration because of DHS processing time.
What if DHS cannot verify my status at the office?
The specialist starts an additional verification and gives instructions; the card cannot issue until DHS confirms the period of lawful presence, and the License Eligibility page shows when DPS has received DHS's response.
Can a non-citizen use the online services?
For a replacement card, yes; for a renewal, no. And DPS requires lawful presence documents for any license or ID transaction, an address change included.
Can I drive on my foreign license while I wait?
Under the international agreements DPS honors, a valid foreign license works for private vehicles for drivers 18 to 75 for up to a year after entry or until the holder becomes a Texas resident, whichever is sooner; after that a Texas license is required within 90 days.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the Texas DPS pages on citizenship and lawful presence, temporary visitors, the Social Security number, driving privilege reciprocity, moving to Texas and fees, read on October 14, 2026.