Texas Driver's License

[J.M. 309]

My wife is 45.  She had never really driven before coming to the US.  We started doing a bit of "back-road" driving quite a while back.  Last month, we decided it was time to start practicing on roads with traffic.  We went our local DPS to get a permit.  She did the required 6 hours of on-line videos and the 1-hour safety video in advance.  The written test was on-line also, so our visit to DPS was just to process the paperwork.  There were only 3 counters.  While we waited for our turn, it became very clear that 2 of the 3 were very experienced, but the 3rd one was new.  She was super slow and asking many questions.  I was hoping we did not get her!  But guess what?  We DID.  The foreign passport threw her off a bit.  She was talking to herself about a marriage certificate or something to show legal name change, but I guess she realized the green card was proof enough of her name and moved past that.  She made it all the way to the end before she made an error.  She accidentally issued my wife an unrestricted license instead of a permit.  She asked her co-worker how to correct it.  She followed their instructions and changed it.  Or at least she thought she did.  My wife's unrestricted license arrived in the mail today.  No B restriction in it, and it is good for 4 years.  

[Crazy Cat 44,003]

Here, in my area, it usually takes me 2 trips because the DPS instructions are not really clear.  Luckily, Texas has an agreement with Taiwan, so my wife simply had to exchange her Taiwanese DL for an unrestricted, 6 year, Texas DL.  No tests at all.

On our last (I hope) trip to DPS, our goal was three-fold.  We wanted to renew wife's DL, change her address, and update her citizenship status.  We, somehow, managed to accomplish all 3 tasks during the same appointment....LOL.

 

Be aware that only US citizens can change a Texas DL address online.  Green Card holders must go to a DPS office (with documents proving legal status) to do so.

Edited June 8 by Crazy Cat

[J.M. 309]

Yes, it's definitely hard to get the exact documents they want.  I have had to make 2nd trips for previous visits.  Now I take everything we've got and hope for the best.  I'm old and used to the way it was when I was young.  I think a birth certificate was all I needed.  Next they'll want a certified copy of the constitution, first-born's umbilical cord, and your first baby tooth.

[TBoneTX 47,252]

2 hours ago, J.M. said:

My wife's unrestricted license arrived in the mail today.  No B restriction in it, and it is good for 4 years.  

Finally, some serendipity in this infernal immigration process!   

[Crazy Cat 44,003]

2 hours ago, J.M. said:

it's definitely hard to get the exact documents they want.

When I first moved to Texas, I didn't realize I would need to show I was legally in the US since I was merely moving from Arkansas to Texas....but I had to make a second visit to DPS with my passport....

 

Cue a remark from Tbone about Arkansas.

 

When my Mother moved to Texas, we had to make a second trip to DPS for her state ID to provide a marriage license showing her name change from birth certificate to Arkansas DL.

At least, I can say they were thorough at the Garland location.

[TBoneTX 47,252]

4 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Cue a remark from Tbone about Arkansas.

How do we know that the toothbrush was invented in Arkansas?

Had it been invented elsewhere, it would be called a teethbrush!

---

4 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

they were thorough at the Garland location

I've found that the Texas DMV doesn't monkey around.  Bring along whatever might conceivably be asked for.

[mam521 2,459]

12 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

I've found that the Texas DMV doesn't monkey around.  Bring along whatever might conceivably be asked for.

Absolutely this.  Texas DPS will absolutely do a SAVE verification and ask you for EVERYTHING.  

 

I got screwed over during covid because our vehicle insurance cards didn't list both of our names on them (they were separate cards..I don't get it).  Anyway, the DPS agent was unwilling to even look in the system to see that I was a named person on the insurance and sent me away.  I was so defeated but there was a really nice State Trooper standing outside who told me not to worry about it - yeah, I was supposed to change it within the 90 days but considering the circumstances, it would be ok since I still had a valid driver's license from Alberta.  

 

A few weeks later, I managed to get an appointment at the Spring Supercenter and the lady helping me was really great.  She shook her head in disbelief when I told what happened in Conroe.  She got into the system, fixed some issue in my file and got me sorted.  I was issued an 8 year license.  @Crazy Cat how did you guys let them know when your wife got her citizenship?  I have updated with the SSA but I haven't even given it a second thought for my license!  

 

[Crazy Cat 44,003]

3 hours ago, mam521 said:

@Crazy Cat how did you guys let them know when your wife got her citizenship?  I have updated with the SSA but I haven't even given it a second thought for my license!  

We took a copy of her Naturalization Certificate and US passport to DPS.  They entered both into the system.  Since then I have been able to update her address online.....something I was not able to do before updating her citizenship status.

[mam521 2,459]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

We took a copy of her Naturalization Certificate and US passport to DPS.  They entered both into the system.  Since then I have been able to update her address online.....something I was not able to do before updating her citizenship status.

Sorry, one other question - appointment or walk in?

[Crazy Cat 44,003]

3 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Sorry, one other question - appointment or walk in?

Appointment.  If you can get a walkin appointment, go for it.