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How to get a Social Security Card and a Texas Driver's License

Before October 1996, the Social Security Office used to give Social Security Cards to any international student with an F-1 visa.

Now, however, Social Security cards are issued for these two purposes ONLY:

1. To get a Texas Driver's License, or
2. On campus (TWU) employment.

To get a Texas Driver's License, read the following instructions:

Driver's License Information Location (Texas Department of Public Safety):
820 North Loop 288, Denton, Texas (near University Drive/Highway 380 and Loop 288)
Phone: 940-484-6666
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed holidays
Take: Your passport (or Social Security Card if you have one), TWU Photo ID

   If you have never had a driver's license before in your own country or in the United States:

You must get a Driver's License Permit by first taking the written test (no appointment is necessary), which is available in English and Spanish. After passing the written test, and after practicing your driving, you can make appointment for the driving test.

If you already have an international driver's license, or a driver's license from your own country, it is good for one year after your arrival in the United States; after that time you should:

1. Take the written test first . . . after passing the written test, then
2. Make an appointment and take the driving test

If you already have a driver's license from another state in the United States, it is good for only 30 days in the state of Texas; after that you should go to the Driver's License office and:

1. You must show that your car's registration has been transferred from the other state to Texas (a Texas registration receipt). You can take care of this at 1505 E. Mckinney, Denton, Texas (the Denton County Tax Office). If you are in Houston or Dallas, please ask the Student Life Coordinator or the International Education Office.
2. You must show proof of car insurance that meets Texas requirement
3. You must surrender (give them) your out of state license

After seeing these documents, the Driver's License office will issue you a state of Texas driver's license.

Note: If your out of state driver's license has already expired you will have to take both the written test and then make an appointment for the driving test. The written test can be taken anytime without an apppointment and is available in English and Spanish. The cost is $5 for an instruction permit and $16 for a full driver's license, and you can take the test two additional times at no extra charge (for example, if you don't pass it the first time or second time) over a period of 90 days.

Driver's Permit: This permit is good for one year, and allows you to practice driving with a licensed driver in the car with you.

The Driving Test: To take the driving test you must make an appointment the morning of the same day you want to take the driving test. Call 484-666 between 8 and 8:15 a.m., or to go to the Driver's License Office and wait in line bewteen 7:45 and 8 a.m.. You cannot call the day before. Call early; its better to wait in line at 8:00 to sign up in person because the schedule fills up quickly.

Prices:
Written instruction permit $5 (good for one year)
Driving License: $24 (good for six years)
Motorcycle License $15
Lost Driver's Permit $10
Lost Driver's License $10
Lost Motorcycle D.I./Permit $10
Texas ID Card $15

To get a Social Security Card read the following instructions:

Social Security Office Information

Phone Number: 940-387-4504
Website: www.ssa.gov
Denton Address: 2201 Colorado Blvd, Denton, TX 76205

Direction: Take exit ramp 463 at I35 E and go North on the service road to San Jacinto Blvd. Right on San Jacinto to Colorado Blvd. The office is located at intersection on San Jacinto and Colorado Blvd.

Hour of Operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Closed on holidays

Documents needed to obtain a Social Security card (10 days after employment):
1. Your passport
2. Original I-20
3. I-94
4. Social Security Form
5. A letter from the employing TWU academic department which states you are authorized to work or a letter from the Driver's License Office.
6. TWU Photo ID

In order to replace a lost Social Security Card, go to the Social Security Office with another Social Security card application, your passport, original I-20, and I-94.

Note: If you have a B-1 or B-2 visa, you are not eligible to get a Social Security Card.

Note: To get your Social security card, your own name must be on the post office box or apartment mailbox that you are using. Do Not use a friend's post office box or apartment mailbox.

If your name is not written on the post office box or apartment mail box, the post office will not deliver your Social Security Card to you, and you will have to start the process all over again to try to get a Social Security Card.