Texas is the second-largest state in the US by landmass. To make matters even better, there are so many places to visit and so many sights to see in The Lone Star State. To fully experience what the state has to offer, you need to learn how to drive first, as it’s easily the best way to get around.
Driving around Texas’ open roads and scenic routes is an excellent roadtrip. But of course, before you get behind the wheel, you need to obtain a legal driver’s license in Texas. The good news is that you don’t have to go to extensive lengths to begin driving in Texas.
Learn To Drive
Before anything else, you need to learn to drive first, of course. Learning how to drive is easy in Texas, just as it is easy in any other state. Aside from the countless driving schools available, you can also practice driving first-hand through some of the state’s accident-free roads.
If you are hoping to practice hands-on driving in Texas, you should take your car out for a spin on one of Texas’s many farm-to-market or market-to-farm roads. These are roads that connect urban areas to rural areas. This means they are wide and mostly free from traffic, thus allowing you to practice your driving skills safely.
When doing this method, make sure to have an experienced driver tag along with you.
However, we highly suggest going to a driving school for lessons if you are new to driving. Aside from giving you a good program for driving, they can also assist you in obtaining your driver’s license. It’s still the best and safest way to learn to drive.
Get A License
This should be a given now, but the first thing you need to do is secure your license to drive first. Whether you’re a US citizen or an immigrant, getting a license is not that hard, but it does take some time, patience, and the right documents to make yourself a registered driver.
To get a Texas driver’s license, you’ll first need to show your proof of US Citizenship. If you are a non-US citizen, all you need is any evidence of your lawful presence in the state. You also need to be a resident in the state to be qualified for a driver’s license, so you’ll need to show proof such as your land title.
You’ll also need to show your proof of identity. This can be any government-issued ID and your birth certificate. The local DMV of Texas will also ask for your social security number or your ID if you have one. These are all the documents you probably have already.
Cost Of Driving In Texas
According to the OECD, the price level index of the US is at around 117, which is relatively higher than most countries. Now, this matters as it can affect how much you get to spend for becoming a driver in Texas. While the state does have a strong economy, it’s still dependent on the US economy from a broader perspective.
If you take a look at the chart below from this site, you can see that everything from license plates to driving tests are around $300-$400 in total. In the USA or Texas specifically, we can expect the prices to be similar to Norway going by the OECD price level index.
This means that the cost of practical driving tests in Texas is around $128, while theory driving tests are at $74. It’s not as expensive as you’d expect. As there are no driving schools in Texas, you can easily find one school that fits your budget perfectly.
As for the license and documentation fees, you are looking at spending somewhere between $30 to $100 for the entire affair.
All-in-all, these are just some of the basics you need to know if you want to be a driver in Texas. Of course, it pays to be a good driver, so make sure to always practice safe driving. Avoid driving under the influence, avoid speeding, and most importantly, follow the traffic rules at all times.