Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte
You can get your Texas driving record online through the Texas DPS driver records portal, then print or email it as soon as you pay. You need your license or ID number, its audit number, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number and a credit card. Each record type has a fee, from $4 to $20, so DPS does not offer a free online copy.
Key Facts
- Where to order: the Texas DPS driver records portal. See the steps.
- What you need: license or ID number, audit number, birth date, last four of your SSN and a card. See what to have ready.
- Cost: $4 to $20 by record type. No DPS record is free. See cost.
- For a ticket course: DPS says only Type 3A can be used. See record for a ticket.
- Mail option: form DR-1, about three weeks. See ordering by mail.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather everything first. The DPS ordering page lists these items for an online order:
- Card number: your Texas driver license, commercial driver license or ID card number.
- Audit number: the audit number printed on that same card.
- Birth date: your date of birth.
- SSN digits: the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Payment: a Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card.
You also need the right software. DPS says to use Adobe Reader and a supported browser.
It lists Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari. DPS says Microsoft Edge is not supported, and a record bought in Edge cannot be printed.
Finding the Audit Number
The audit number is on your license or ID card. The DPS ordering page shows a close-up image of where it sits on the card.
Use the card you hold now. DPS asks for the numbers on your latest card.
Step by Step: Ordering Online
The order takes one sitting if you have your items ready. DPS does not publish each screen, so the portal may ask for things in a different order. The tasks are these:
- Open the portal. Go to the DPS driver records portal from a supported browser.
- Enter your details. Type your card number, audit number, birth date and the last four of your SSN.
- Pick a record type. Choose the type you need, such as Type 3A for a ticket course.
- Pay. Use a Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card.
- Print or email it right away. DPS says you must be able to print or email the record right after purchase.
- Open the file. The DPS FAQ says the password to print the record online is your driver license number.
- Read it. Check names, dates and each entry before you send it anywhere.
Keep a saved copy. If a court or someone else asks again, you will not need to buy a second record.
Which Record Type to Pick
DPS sells six types. Two of them matter for ticket and course questions:
- Type 2, $6: your status details plus moving violations, and crashes with a ticket, for the past three years. It is not certified.
- Type 3A, $10: a certified list of all crashes and violations. DPS calls it the only type that can be used for a defensive driving course.
The other four are Type 1 ($4 status), Type 2A ($10 certified three-year), Type 3 ($7 full list, not certified) and Type AR ($20 certified abstract with suspensions). Our certified vs Type 3A guide compares them in a table.
Type 3 and Type 3A are only sold to the record owner. You can order them online for yourself, not for someone else.
Is a Texas Driving Record Online Free?
No, it is not. Every DPS record type has a fee.
The fees come from state law in Transportation Code Chapter 521. Section 521.045 sets $4 for status, § 521.046 sets $6 for the three-year history, § 521.047 sets $7 for your own full record, and § 521.048 sets $10 for a certified copy.
The official order runs through the DPS page and its portal on texas.gov. Check the web address before you type your SSN digits.
When the Court Gets the Record
Sometimes you do not order at all. Under Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 45A.359, a judge may get your record from DPS. The court can then charge a fee equal to the certified record fee plus a state portal fee.
Ordering by Mail Instead
Mail is the other DPS option. DPS states it cannot provide driver record services in person at any of its locations.
To order by mail, fill out form DR-1. Send it with payment to Texas Department of Public Safety, PO Box 149008, Austin, Texas 78714-9008. DPS says processing takes about three weeks from the day it receives the request.
| Online | By mail | |
|---|---|---|
| How you ask | DPS driver records portal | Form DR-1 |
| How you pay | Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express | Payment sent with the form |
| How fast | Print or email right away | About three weeks after DPS receives it |
| Audit number | Needed | DPS FAQ points here if you lack one |
No Audit Number?
The DPS driver record FAQ covers this case. If you need a record for court and do not have your audit number, it gives two choices.
You can order by mail with form DR-1 and the fee. Or you can contact the court directly to ask for an extension. Do one of these as soon as you know.
Ordering for a Company or Another Person
The online portal is built around your own card details. Type 3 and Type 3A records are given only to the record owner, per DPS.
Businesses use a different route. DPS says companies that want to order driver records can email its License and Record Service.
Under Transportation Code §§ 521.045 and 521.046, eligible requesters can get status details or a three-year history, not the full list. Our background check guide explains who qualifies.
Keep Your Copy Private
Your record holds details that state law treats as personal. Under Transportation Code Chapter 730, personal information includes your name, address, date of birth and driver identification number.
That law limits what state agencies can give out. Once you hold your own copy, the choice is yours. Send it only to the court, insurer or other party that asked for it.
Using the Online Record for a Ticket Course
The driving safety course (DSC), also called defensive driving, can lead to a dismissed ticket. After your plea, you have 90 days to turn in the course certificate, your driving record and an affidavit, under Art. 45A.356.
The DPS FAQ says, “While most courts generally require a Type 3A driver record,” you should contact the court to confirm the exact type. An online Type 3A is ready the same day, which helps with that 90-day limit. Our Type 3A guide explains why courts ask for it.
A Timing Example
Here is simple math for a court case. Say you enter your plea on January 5. Ninety days later is April 5 in a year that is not a leap year.
If you order by mail, DPS says to allow about three weeks after it gets the form. Add mail time on top of that. An online order skips that wait, since you print or email the record the same day.
What to Check on Your Copy
Take a few minutes to read the record once it opens. Under § 521.047, the record DPS gives you about yourself can include these items:
- Your birth date, license status and address.
- Whether you completed an approved driver education course.
- The fact that you finished a driver safety course, without the reason.
- Each reported traffic violation and crash, by date and location.
Compare each line with what you know. If an entry is not yours, fix it before the record goes to a court. The DPS driving record guide explains where these entries come from.
If Something Goes Wrong
A few problems have known fixes in the DPS FAQ:
- Charged twice: email the DPS E-Commerce Section with your contact details and a short note. DPS says it replies within 2 to 3 business days.
- Cannot open the file: use your driver license number as the password.
- Cannot print: DPS says a record bought in Microsoft Edge cannot be printed, so use a supported browser.
- Wrong entry on the record: see the error steps in our Texas driving record guide.
For anything else, the FAQ lists the DPS Customer Service Center.
What We Found on the DPS Pages
On the DPS driver record pages we checked on October 26, 2026, the ordering page had an “Order now” link to the portal. It also said companies that want records should email the DPS License and Record Service.
The FAQ said online is the fastest way, since you can print the record instantly. It said mail orders can take up to three weeks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Each of these comes from DPS instructions:
- Starting without the audit number. The online order asks for it.
- Using Microsoft Edge. DPS says it is not supported.
- Closing the page too soon. You must print or email the record right after purchase.
- Picking Type 2A or Type 3 for a ticket course. DPS lists Type 3A as the only type for that use.
- Going to a DPS office. Records are online or by mail only.
- Paying a site that is not DPS. Order through the DPS page and its portal.
How Requirements Can Vary
The driving safety course rules come from Texas law and TDLR and apply statewide. Each justice or municipal court still sets its own fees, filing steps and contact methods, and the facts of your citation decide which options you have.
Laws, fees and court procedures can change. Check your citation, ask the court that handles your case, and use the TDLR and Texas DPS websites for current rules before you act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Texas driving record online for free?
No. DPS charges for every record type, from $4 for a status record to $20 for a certified abstract. A Type 3A for a ticket course costs $10.
How fast do I get the record online?
Right away. DPS says you can print or email the record as soon as you buy it. Mail orders take about three weeks.
What is the audit number?
It is a number printed on your Texas driver license or ID card. The DPS online order asks for it along with your card number, birth date and SSN digits.
What if I do not have my audit number?
DPS says you can order by mail with form DR-1, which takes up to three weeks. If you need the record for court, you can also ask the court for more time.
Which type should I pick for defensive driving?
DPS says Type 3A is the only record type that can be used for a defensive driving course. Confirm the type with your court before you buy.
Can I order my record on my phone?
DPS lists Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari as supported browsers and says Microsoft Edge is not. It does not list devices. Use a supported browser that lets you print or email a PDF.
Can a company order my record online?
DPS says companies that want driver records can email its License and Record Service. Third parties who qualify under state law can get status or a three-year history. Only you can get the full Type 3 or 3A.
Conclusion
Ordering your Texas driving record online takes a few minutes once you have your card, audit number, birth date, SSN digits and a credit card. Pick the type your court or purpose needs, and print or email it right away. If the record is for a ticket, pair it with Driving Logic’s online Texas driving safety course and file everything within 90 days.
Related Articles
- Your Texas Driving Record: How to Get It and What It Shows
- Texas Type 3A Driving Record: What It Is and How to Get It
- Texas Certified Driving Record vs. Type 3A: Which One Do You Need?
- Texas DPS Driving Record: What TxDPS Tracks and Why It Matters
Sources
- Texas DPS — How to Order Your Driver Record
- Texas DPS — Driver Record FAQ
- Texas DPS — Driver Records online portal
- Texas Transportation Code Chapter 521 — Driver’s Licenses (PDF)
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 45A (PDF)
Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, a state-approved driver improvement course provider serving Texas and other U.S. states.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Texas traffic and driving safety course rules are set by Texas law, TDLR, Texas DPS and each court, and they can change. Check with the court on your citation and the official TDLR and DPS websites for current requirements, and talk to a Texas lawyer about your specific case.