Driver’s Licenses and Personal IDs

Driver's Licenses and Personal Identification Cards

Texas Law

• Provides that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issue personal identification cards in addition to driver's licenses.
• Allows applicants to place information about health conditions that may impede communication with a peace officer on driver’s licenses.
• Provides that no individual, corporation, or association may deny access to goods, services, or facilities to individuals who have personal identification cards instead of driver's licenses.
• Provides that DPS may refuse to issue a license to a person whose disability prevents him or her from exercising reasonable or ordinary control over a motor vehicle. However, a person may not be denied a license based on disability if common experience shows that his or her disability does not incapacitate a person from safely operating a motor vehicle.
• Exempts individuals from the safety belt requirement who have a written statement from a licensed physician stating that for a medical reason the person should not wear a safety belt.
• Exempts certain veterans with disabilities from fees for obtaining a driver's license or personal ID.
• Issuance of specialty license plates for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
• The Texas Transportation Code authorizes a person to make a voluntary contribution to the Special Olympics Texas fund when registering a motor vehicle or renewing a motor vehicle registration.
• The Texas Transportation Code prohibits a driver's license application from including an inquiry regarding the applicant's mental health other than a general inquiry as to whether the applicant has a mental condition that may affect the applicant's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Texas Statutes

• Personal Identification Cards:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.101 - 521.102
   
• Medical Information:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.142
   
• Ineligibility for Licenses:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.201
   
• Appeals Process:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.308
   
• Safety Belt:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 545.413(e)
   
• Specialty License Plates for Person who are Deaf or Hard Hearing:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 504.204(e)
   
• Special Olympics Donation:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 502.413(e)
   
• Information Required of an Applicant for a Driver's License:
  Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.142(e)

Contact

Texas Department of Public Safety
(512) 424-2000