Driver License

For obtaining a driver license, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has a specific procedure in place for driver’s license new requests or renewals for non-U.S. citizens, which requires DPS to verify the applicant’s immigration status and period of lawful stay before it will issue a Driver’s license. For more information go to: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-licenses-and-id-cards-temporary-visitors.  

The DPS system involves a three (3) step check and requires checking a federal database called the “SAVE” system which has access to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records. 

 FIRST LEVEL CHECK 

The first level check is completed when the applicant initially appears at DPS for a driver’s license renewal. At this first step, the DPS checks the SAVE system, which links to various DHS databases to provide information regarding an applicant’s immigration status. 

If your immigration status cannot immediately be verified at the first-level of review, the DPS personnel should initiate a second-level verification request, which involves a manual review of your immigration records by DHS Officials. 

SECOND LEVEL CHECK 

If a second-level check is necessary, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officials are instructed to make a copy of your immigration documents and upload them for submission along with the verification inquiry to verify your immigration status. 

Therefore, it is critical that you carry the following items with you when seeking to renew your driver’s license: 

You should also carry your previous driver’s license with you, and any other information that the DPS has instructed you bring to establish your Texas residence. 

In our experience, not all DPS Officials are doing this. Therefore, it is very important that you politely request that the DPS Official make a copy of your immigration documents so that they can be sent to USCIS/SAVE along with a request for verification of your status. 

According to information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DPS should receive verification electronically following the additional check of DHS’ records. You can monitor the progress of the pending verification at the following website: https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck. You will be required to enter in certain identifying information in order to receive a case summary and status report. This process may take a couple of months. Once verification is complete, DPS should send you a letter requesting that you return to the DPS office to complete the driver’s license application process. 

THIRD LEVEL CHECK 

If your immigration status cannot be verified following the second-level check, DPS should start a third-level inquiry by scanning, uploading and submitting copies of your immigration documents electronically to DHS for verification through a subsequent manual review process. This third-level check has traditionally taken between 10 – 20 federal working days. However, the government is seeking to process third-level reviews within 3-5 working federal days, according to information published by USCIS.