Drivers License

The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a new rule which affects non-citizens who visit Texas for a short period of time, those temporarily residing in Texas and those renewing licenses with little time left on the immigration document. The rule, shown below, became effective October 1, 2008.

#15.171. Issuance of Driver License and Identification Certificates to Non-citizens.

(a) An applicant who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States must present valid documentation issued by the United State Department of Justice, United States Department of State, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, or any successor agency of the aforementioned that shows lawful temporary admission to the United States.

(1) An applicant whose lawful admission period is more than 6 months, but less than the full term of a driver license or identification certificate will be issued a driver license or identification certificate with a status date displayed that coincides with the expiration date of the applicant's lawful admission period in the United States. 

(2) If the lawful admission period in the United States indicated on the document presented by the applicant expires in less than 6 months from the date of application, no driver license or identification certificate may be issued.

(3) If the document presented by the applicant to demonstrate lawful temporary admission indicates an indefinite expiration date, the driver license or identification certificate will be issued with a status date displayed of one year from the date of application.

(b) In the event the applicant's status is updated or extended, the applicant must present valid documentation of such status change or extension to obtain a duplicate driver license or identification certificate with an updated status date.

(c) The driver license or identification certificate will be cancelled if within 45 days from the status date the applicant is unable to present valid documentation showing a status change or extension of admission periods.

The International Student & Scholar Services Office highly advises you to visit the Garland Office if you need to apply for a new Driver's License/Texas Identification Card or if you need to renew your current document.

The Garland Office is located at:

350 West IH 30, Garland, TX   75043-5998

 

(Should you have any problems, please ask to talk to Lieutenant Anderson).

 

If you have any problems, please contact our office immediately at 214-768-4475 or email us at smuint@smu.edu.