Before you start

Texas residency
Proof of lawful presence — Texas requires this, unlike New York or California
A Social Security number, if you have one
Two documents proving Texas residency
Proof of vehicle registration and insurance, if you own a car

Step-by-step

1
Check the reciprocity list first
Texas has licence reciprocity with France, Germany, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan. A valid, unexpired licence from any of those means no knowledge test and no skills test. This is the single most valuable thing to check before booking anything, and almost no general relocation guide mentions it.
OnlineWho: YouBefore booking
2
Book a DPS appointment
Austin-area driver licence offices work by appointment and slots can be weeks out. That is comfortable inside 90 days if you book on arrival, and stressful if you wait. Suburban offices in Round Rock, Pflugerville and San Marcos are often sooner than central Austin.
OnlineWho: You
3
Assemble the document set
You need proof of identity and lawful presence, your Social Security number, and two documents proving Texas residency. One of the residency documents normally has to show you have lived in Texas for 30 days — but that requirement is waived if you surrender a valid, unexpired out-of-state licence or ID.
In personWho: You
4
Take the knowledge and skills tests if you are not on the reciprocity list
The knowledge test covers Texas road rules; the skills test is a behind-the-wheel drive test. You must supply a registered, insured vehicle. Note that keeping your out-of-country licence rather than surrendering it removes the reciprocity waiver even for eligible countries.
In personWho: You
5
Sort out vehicle registration and inspection
If you buy a car, Texas requires registration and — in Travis County — an annual safety inspection, plus emissions testing in the Austin area. Registration and inspection are linked: you cannot renew one without the other. Insurance is mandatory and proof is required at every step.
In personWho: You
6
Confirm your licence is REAL ID-compliant
A licence that is not REAL ID-compliant cannot be used to board a domestic flight. Texas licences issued on lawful-presence documents generally are, but ask at the counter and check for the marking on the card.
In personWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Foreign driver licence
Passport, visa and I-94 as identity and lawful-presence proof
Social Security card, if issued
Two Texas residency documents, such as a lease and a utility bill
Proof of vehicle registration and liability insurance, if you own a car

Things most newcomers don’t know

Five countries get a complete test waiver, and hardly anyone knows.

France, Germany, South Korea, the UAE and Taiwan have reciprocity with Texas: a valid unexpired licence means no knowledge test and no skills test. If you are moving from one of those countries, this converts a multi-week process into a single appointment. California, by contrast, waives nothing for anyone.

Source: Texas DPS — driving privilege reciprocity

Surrendering your old licence removes the 30-day residency requirement.

Texas normally wants one residency document showing 30 days in the state, which is awkward for someone who has just arrived. Surrendering a valid, unexpired out-of-state licence or ID waives that requirement outright. It does not apply to foreign licences, but it is decisive if you are arriving via another US state.

Source: Texas DPS — Texas residency requirement

Keeping your foreign licence forfeits the reciprocity waiver.

The exam waiver for reciprocity countries applies unless you choose to keep your out-of-country licence. If sentimental or practical attachment to the original document matters to you, understand that it costs you the waiver and puts you back into the test queue.

Source: Texas DPS — driving privilege reciprocity

90 days is the most generous window of any big state here.

California gives 10 days, New York 30, Florida 30, Washington 30, Massachusetts 30. Texas gives 90. That is enough time to settle, find an address, gather documents and book an appointment without driving on borrowed time — a genuine and underrated quality-of-life difference in the first months.

Source: Texas DPS — moving to Texas guide

Common mistakes to avoid

Not checking the reciprocity list and sitting tests you were exempt from.
Choosing to keep your out-of-country licence and losing the exam waiver.
Leaving the DPS appointment until day 80 of 90 and finding no availability.
Arriving with only one residency document when two are required.
Forgetting that Travis County requires emissions testing as well as safety inspection.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.