Texas requires a documented full name on driver license applications. Under 37 Texas Administrative Code § 15.23, applicants must use their documented first name, even if they usually go by a middle name. Married applicants may choose between birth surnames, spouses' surnames or hyphenated names.
Most Texans with standard licenses can renew every eight years. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) said online or phone renewal requires an in-person renewal the previous time, so eligible drivers generally return to an office about every other renewal, or roughly every 16 years. Drivers 79 and older must renew in person. DPS issues eight-year licenses to eligible drivers ages 79 to 84 and two-year licenses starting at age 85. In-person renewals include a vision exam. Online renewal applicants skip that test but must confirm that changes in vision, physical health or mental health have not significantly affected their driving.
Texas requires driver education for applicants under 18. Applicants ages 18 to 24 must complete a six-hour adult course. People 25 and older are not required to take driver education. The new cards use tamper-resistant polycarbonate and a black, laser-engraved REAL ID star. Existing cards remain valid until they expire. DPS describes a planned online application and virtual issuance program, but its public overview still listed it as "Coming Soon" as of October 27. DPS said motorists should not assume every renewal can be done virtually.