Driving Tests

What to Bring to DPS for a Texas Learner License (Documents and VOE)

informational·how to guide·Published July 21, 2026

Which documents do I bring to DPS for a Texas learner license?

Bring proof of identity, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, two Texas residency documents, your Social Security number, your driver education certificate, and a high school diploma, a GED or a school VOE form. Bring proof of insurance or sign a no-vehicle statement. A VOE is valid for 30 days (90 days in June, July and August). Book an appointment, and bring a parent or a notarized application.

Where these document rules come from

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lists the documents on its learner license page for teens. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) explains the VOE on its Verification of Enrollment page. The attendance, parent signature and insurance rules come from Texas Transportation Code chapter 521 (sections 521.143, 521.145, 521.204 and 521.222). The identity, citizenship, residency, Social Security number and appointment details come from other DPS pages, DPS form DL-15 and the Texas Driver Handbook. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Texas Department of Public Safety (dps.texas.gov) before you drive.

Documents to bring for a first Texas learner license

Documents to bring for a first Texas learner license
What DPS needs	What to bring
Application	A completed driver license application form.
Identity	One primary document, such as a valid U.S. passport book or passport card, or two secondary documents, or one secondary document and two supporting documents. Name and date of birth must match on all documents. A birth certificate must be an original or a certified copy, not a photocopy.
U.S. citizenship or lawful presence	One document from the right category, such as a valid U.S. passport or a birth certificate from a U.S. state, a U.S. territory or the District of Columbia. If you are not a U.S. citizen, DPS cannot issue the license until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) verifies your lawful presence.
Texas residency	Two printed documents from two different sources, each with your name and Texas home address. One must show that you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days. If you cannot give two, you may be eligible for a Texas Residency Affidavit (Form DL-5).
Social Security number	Your number goes on the application. DPS verifies it electronically.
Driver education certificate	The certificate that shows you finished the classroom part: form DE-964 or DEE-964 from a driving school or a parent-taught course, or form DE-964E from a public school course.
School proof	A high school diploma, a GED, or a completed Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form.
Insurance	Proof of insurance for each vehicle you own. If you own no vehicle, you sign a statement at the office.

What is a VOE form, and who signs it?

VOE means Verification of Enrollment and Attendance. It is a school form, on a standard design from the Texas Education Agency, that shows you are enrolled and attend school. Ask your school officials to complete and sign it. A stamped or computer-generated signature of a school official is acceptable. Texas law asks for at least 80 days of attendance in the fall or spring semester before you apply, at a public, private or home school. In a high school equivalency program, you must be enrolled for at least 45 days and still be enrolled when you apply. The school decides if it signs your form.

How long is a VOE valid?

A VOE is valid for 30 days from the day your school issues it. From June through August, it is valid for 90 days from issue. Ask your school for the form close to your DPS appointment, so that it does not run out before your visit. You give it to the license and permit specialist at the office.

If you cannot get a VOE

You apply in the summer and are still enrolled

Bring your last report card for the most recent school year. It must show your full name, your absences and all of your grades.

You are in a high school equivalency program

Bring proof of active enrollment in the program for the last 45 days.

You are enrolled at a college or university

The school can give you a signed letter instead of the VOE form. The letter says that you are enrolled and meet its attendance requirements.

Your DPS visit for a learner license, step by step

1
Check that you qualify
You must be 15 or older but under 18 and have your driver education certificate. Test yourself with a practice question on who can get a Texas learner license.
2
Book an appointment
DPS offers all in-office driver license services by appointment only. Book at txdpsscheduler.com, up to six months ahead. Without an appointment, you can use a kiosk in the office to book a slot that day, if one is open, or book another day or office.
3
Complete the application
The application form is available online or at the office. If no parent will come with you, your parent or guardian signs it and has it notarized.
4
Arrive on time
Arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before your appointment. DPS cancels an appointment when you are more than 30 minutes late.
5
Finish at the counter
Give your documents to the license and permit specialist. You also give your signature and thumbprints, have your photo taken, pay the fee and pass a vision exam. If you did not take the knowledge test in driver education, you take it at the office. The Texas learner license cost guide lists the fee.

Must a parent come to the appointment?

Not always. DPS accepts a parent or legal guardian, evidence that waives parental authorization (for example, you are emancipated), or the notarized application signed by your parent or guardian. Texas law says the application of a person under 18 must be signed by the parent or guardian who has custody, or by an agent under that parent's power of attorney. A parent who comes for this authorization may enter the office with you. In parent-taught driver education, the parent instructor on record must come with you. The guide to parent-taught driver education in Texas explains that course.

Key takeaways

Bring identity, citizenship or lawful presence, two Texas residency documents, your Social Security number, your driver education certificate and a diploma, a GED or a VOE.
A VOE is valid for 30 days from issue, or 90 days in June, July and August. A school official signs it, and a stamped or computer-generated signature is acceptable.
A parent can come with you, or you can bring an application that your parent signed and had notarized. A parent-taught student comes with the parent instructor.
DPS works by appointment only. Book at txdpsscheduler.com, up to six months ahead.
Next step: practice the rules of the road on the free Texas Class C learner license practice test.

Texas learner license documents: common questions

Can my school refuse to sign my VOE?

Yes, if you do not meet its rules. The school checks that you met the minimum attendance for class credit (the 90 percent rule) in each class last semester, and that you got credit for all courses or meet conditions that the school sets. If you missed both, the attendance committee or the administration may approve a plan with conditions that you must meet to get the form.

Do I need a new VOE for my provisional license?

Yes, if you are still under 18 and have no diploma or GED. You must show the same school proof again when you apply for the provisional license. You must hold the learner license for at least six months first, and a VOE is valid for only 30 days (90 in summer), so ask your school for a new form.

Is my school report card proof of Texas residency?

It can be. A Texas high school, college or university report card or transcript for the current school year is on the DPS residency list. You still need a second document from another source, and one of the two must show 30 days of Texas residence. School records such as report cards are also on the list of supporting identity documents.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

If you are eligible for a number, apply to the Social Security Administration before your visit. If you are not eligible, complete a Social Security Number Affidavit (Form DL-13) at the driver license office. If your number does not verify electronically, contact the Social Security Administration and correct the problem. DPS cannot issue the license until that is done.

Do I need proof of insurance if my family owns the car?

You need proof of insurance only for each vehicle that you own. If no vehicle is yours, you sign a statement at the office, under oath, that you own none. If you do own a car, its insurance must meet the state minimum amounts. A practice question on Texas liability insurance minimums shows the limits.