Foreign license in Texas? Only five countries and Canada get a transfer. Everyone else starts over

Does a foreign license exempt you from Texas drivers ed?

Usually not. Texas Transportation Code §521.1601 requires driver education before the state will license anyone under 25, and subsection (b), the entire exemption, covers only a license from another state:

“This section does not apply to a person who holds a valid driver’s license issued by another state.”

— Tex. Transp. Code §521.1601(b)

Another state, not another country. A license from Louisiana exempts a 23-year-old; a license from Honduras does not. DPS applies the statute the same way, and a lot of experienced adult drivers arrive in Texas to find they are treated as beginners.

Which foreign licenses can you transfer to Texas?

Canada, U.S. territories and five reciprocity countries. DPS is slightly more generous than the bare statute. From its Moving to Texas page:

• A U.S. state, a U.S. territory, or Canada. Surrender the license and you are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams.
• Reciprocity countries: France, Germany, South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Taiwan. A valid, unexpired license from one of these five may waive the knowledge and skills exams, unless you choose to keep your out-of-country license.
• Everywhere else. Full process, and the six-hour adult driver education course if you are 18 through 24. The steps in order are in how to get a Texas driver license as an adult.

Five countries is a short list. Mexico is not on it. Neither are India, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala or Honduras, which between them account for most of the people who move to Texas with a license already in their pocket.

How long can you drive in Texas on a foreign license?

Up to 90 days after you move. DPS lets you drive on a valid, unexpired license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province or qualifying country for that long. That is the window to get everything else done.

What should you do before you arrive?

Get the license translated if it is not in English or Spanish, and book the DPS appointment early.

• Get the license translated. DPS: “Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish must be translated by a translation service or your consulate before arriving in Texas.” A translation service or your consulate can do it; the counter will not.
• Book the appointment early. DPS driver license offices are appointment only, and the driving skills test is the slowest thing to get. See how the queue interacts with the 90-day ITD certificate.

Can you get a Texas license on a student or work visa?

Yes, a limited term driver license, if you can document lawful presence. The fee is $33, and it expires when your period of lawful presence expires, or after one year if your status is recorded as “duration of status”. The driver education question is unchanged: it depends on your age and on who issued any license you already hold. More in Texas licenses for visitors and students.

Common questions