Undocumented Driver's License in Texas (2026)

Last updated: April 26, 2026
By Miguel Garcia

Can You Get a Driver's License in Texas Without an SSN?

No — not without a lawful immigration status. Texas law requires all driver's license applicants to prove they are a U.S. citizen or have lawful presence in the United States. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) verifies your status directly with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before a license can be issued.

Texas has no equivalent of California's AB 60 law. There is no "undocumented license" category in Texas, and having an ITIN does not help — an ITIN is a tax processing number and does not establish immigration status.

Texas law

Texas law requires proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence to obtain a driver's license. The DPS license specialist will verify your status with DHS, and a license cannot be issued until DHS confirms your period of lawful presence. If you do not have an approved immigration status, a standard driver's license or state ID will not be issued.

Who CAN Get a Texas Driver's License

You are eligible if you have any of the following:

U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status (green card)
An active visa with authorized stay (F-1, H-1B, TN, etc.)
Refugee or asylee status
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) — this includes DACA recipients
Parole in place or other DHS-granted deferred action

DACA holders

If you have active DACA status, you have a valid EAD card and are eligible for a Texas driver's license. Bring your current EAD card to the DPS office as proof of lawful presence. Learn more about DACA →

Your Options If You Don't Have Legal Status

If you are undocumented and not eligible for a Texas license right now, here are the realistic paths forward:

1Apply for DACA if you qualify. DACA grants deferred action and an EAD, which Texas DPS accepts as lawful presence. If you came to the U.S. before age 16, have lived here continuously since June 2007, and meet the other criteria, you may be eligible. See the DACA eligibility guide →
2Get a license in New Mexico. New Mexico is the closest state to Texas that issues driver's licenses to residents regardless of immigration status. If you have a New Mexico address, you may apply there. A valid NM license is recognized for driving in Texas.
3Check Colorado. Colorado also allows undocumented residents to get a license. If you are near the Colorado border, this may be an option.
4Use a valid foreign driver's license. Texas law allows visitors to drive on a valid foreign driver's license for up to one year from the date they entered the U.S. This is a temporary option, not a long-term solution.

⚠️ Important

Driving without a valid license in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor and can have serious consequences including fines, vehicle impoundment, and increased immigration risk. We strongly recommend pursuing a legal path rather than driving without a license.

Why an ITIN Is Not Enough

Many people ask whether an ITIN can be used to get a Texas driver's license. The answer is no. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is issued by the IRS specifically for tax filing purposes. It does not grant any immigration status, does not authorize work in the U.S., and is not accepted by Texas DPS as proof of lawful presence.

That said, having an ITIN is still useful — it allows you to file taxes, open bank accounts, and build a credit history in the U.S. Those are all things you can do today, regardless of driver's license eligibility.

What your ITIN can do

Even without a driver's license, your ITIN opens doors. Open a bank account → | Build credit → | Invest →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can undocumented immigrants get a driver's license in Texas? +

No. Texas requires proof of lawful U.S. presence to obtain a driver's license or state ID. The Texas DPS verifies your immigration status directly with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Without an approved immigration status, a license cannot be issued.

Can I get a Texas driver's license with an ITIN? +

No. An ITIN is a tax processing number and does not establish lawful U.S. presence. Texas DPS does not accept an ITIN as a substitute for proof of immigration status.

Can DACA recipients get a driver's license in Texas? +

Yes. DACA recipients have deferred action status and are eligible to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Texas DPS accepts a valid EAD card as proof of lawful presence, so active DACA holders can apply for a Texas driver's license.

What is the nearest state where undocumented immigrants can get a driver's license? +

New Mexico is the closest state to Texas that issues driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants without requiring proof of lawful presence. Colorado is another neighboring state with this policy. See the full list of 20 states at the driver's license guide.

States That Do Allow This

20 states and Washington D.C. currently allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license. Texas is not among them. Browse states that do:

CA CO CT DE HI IL MD MA MN NV NJ NM NY OR RI UT VT VA WA DC

For the complete list with each state's law and requirements, see the full driver's license guide →