While young adults ages 18 and over in extended foster care do not need permission or authorization from DFPS to obtain a driver learner license or driver license, they do need the caseworker to provide them with Form 2042 Youth or Young Adult in Foster Care Residency Verification for a Driver License or State Identification Card Fee Waiver.  

Youth residing in Texas and under age 18 wanting to obtain a driver license must:

• Complete the first six hours of a driver education course.
• Obtain a driver learner license.
• Complete additional driver education and required driving practice hours.

See How to Apply for a Texas Driver License as a Teen.  

After completing all the driver education requirements and driving practice hours, the youth can then apply for a driver license. Both the driver learner license and driver license require a visit to the DPS office with required documents, including forms completed by the caseworker.

Once an eligible youth is enrolled in a driver education course, or the youth has completed the DPS driver license requirements for youth under 18 and is ready to apply for the license, the caseworker, or another DFPS staff member at a caseworker level or above, does as follows:

• Verifies that the youth is enrolled in a driver education course or completed the DPS driver license requirements. The caseworker does not need to verify that the youth completed the first six hours of driver education, only that the youth is enrolled in the course. Driver education courses move quickly and the youth will not be able to move to the next part of the education and driving practice until the youth obtains the driver learner license and waiting for paperwork from the caseworker could delay them. DPS will not issue the driver learner license without documentation that the first six hours of driver education was completed.
• Verifies that the supervisor approved the youth to obtain a driver license.
• Assists the youth with completing the DPS Form DL-14B Texas Driver License or Identification Card Application.
• Signs the form before a notary public, which authorizes the youth to obtain the learner license or driver license without the caseworker being present. While this form lists that it is for youth aged under 17 years and 10 months, it should be used if the youth will be applying for a learner license or driver license if the youth is under 18 years old. The alternate form, DPS Form DL-14A Texas Driver License or Identification Card Application is only valid for a youth who already has a driver license and is applying to renew it up to 30 days prior to the youth’s 18th birthday.  
• Completes and signs Form 2042 Youth or Young Adult in Foster Care Residency Verification for a Driver License or State Identification Card Fee Waiver.
• Gives the youth the completed, signed Form 2042 DFPS Youth or Young Adult in Foster Care Residency Verification for a Driver License or State Identification Card Fee Waiver.
• Assists the youth by gathering and providing all identification documents.

See Personal Documents Resource Guide for more information.