TITLE 37. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

PART 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

CHAPTER 15. DRIVER LICENSE RULES

SUBCHAPTER A. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

The Texas Department of Public Safety (the department) adopts amendments to §15.6, concerning Motorcycle License. This rule is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 26, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 4110) and will not be republished.

The amendments align operator training and safety curriculum standards with current Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation administrative rules.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this rule.

This rule is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work; and Texas Transportation Code, §521.005, which authorizes the department to adopt rules necessary to administer Chapter 521 of the Transportation Code.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 31, 2026.

TRD-202603772

D. Phillip Adkins

General Counsel

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: September 20, 2026

Proposal publication date: June 26, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 424-5848

SUBCHAPTER B. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS--ORIGINAL, RENEWAL, DUPLICATE, IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATES

The Texas Department of Public Safety (the department) adopts amendments to §15.21, concerning Signature. This rule is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 26, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 4111) and will not be republished.

The amendment modifies the ink signature requirement to include an exception allowing for electronic signature for online or digital applications.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this rule.

This rule is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work; and Texas Transportation Code, §521.005, which authorizes the department to adopt rules necessary to administer Chapter 521 of the Transportation Code.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 31, 2026.

TRD-202603773

D. Phillip Adkins

General Counsel

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: September 20, 2026

Proposal publication date: June 26, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 424-5848

The Texas Department of Public Safety (the department) adopts amendments to §15.24, concerning Identification of Applicants. This rule is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the June 26, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 4112) and will be republished.

The amendments update the acceptable documents for proof of identity to align with the REAL ID Act of 2005.

The department accepted comments on the proposed amendments through July 27, 2026. The substantive comments received, and the department's responses are summarized below.

COMMENT:

Written comments were submitted by the Executive Committee of American Immigration Lawyer Association - Texas Chapter, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP and BAL Community, and 664 individuals against adoption of amendments to subsection (1)(F) and (G) removing an expired visa with a foreign passport with a valid I-94 as an acceptable document to prove applicant identification for a Texas driver license or identification card.

RESPONSE:

The United States Department of Homeland Security has updated its guidance to the department that a foreign passport with a visa that is facially expired may continue to be used for purposes of applicant identification in compliance with federal regulations as long as it has been verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which is the department's policy. Therefore, amendments to subsection (1)(F) and (G) are no longer required.

COMMENT:

Written comments were submitted by ten individuals for adoption of amendments to subsection (1)(F) and (G) removing an expired visa with a foreign passport with a valid I-94 as an acceptable document to prove applicant identification for a Texas driver license or identification card.

RESPONSE:

The United States Department of Homeland Security has updated its guidance to the department that a foreign passport with a visa that is facially expired may continue to be used for purposes of applicant identification in compliance with federal regulations as long as it has been verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which is the department's policy. Therefore, amendments to paragraph (1)(F) and (G) are no longer required.

This rule is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work; and Texas Transportation Code, §521.005, which authorizes the department to adopt rules necessary to administer Chapter 521 of the Transportation Code.

§15.24. Identification of Applicants.

All original applicants for a driver license or identification certificate must present proof of identity satisfactory to the department. All documents must be verifiable. There are three categories of documents that may be presented to establish proof of identity.

(1) Primary identification. These items are complete within themselves and require no supporting instruments: These documents must contain the applicant's complete name and full date of birth:

(A) Texas driver license (DL) or identification certificate (ID) with photo within two years of expiration date;

(B) unexpired United States passport;

(C) United States citizenship (naturalization) certificate with identifiable photo;

(D) unexpired document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or successor federal immigration agency. The document must contain verifiable data and identifiable photo; or

(E) unexpired United States military ID card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel with identifiable photo.

(F) foreign passport with a visa issued by the United States Department of State (valid or expired) with unexpired I-94 marked valid for a fixed duration. If the applicant was not required by federal law to obtain a visa to enter the United States, the visa requirement under this subparagraph may be waived.

(G) foreign passport with a visa issued by the United States Department of State (valid or expired) with an I-94 marked valid for the duration of stay accompanied by appropriate documentation. If the applicant was not required by federal law to obtain a visa to enter the United States, the visa requirement under this subparagraph may be waived.

(2) Secondary identification. These items are recorded governmental documents (United States, 1 of the 50 states, a United States territory, or District of Columbia):

(A) original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency;

(B) original or certified copy of United States Department of State Certification of Birth (issued to United States citizens born abroad); or

(C) original or certified copy of court order with name and date of birth (DOB) indicating an official change of name.

(3) Supporting identification. These items consist of other records or documents that aid examining personnel in establishing the identity of the applicant. The following items are not all inclusive. The examining or supervisory personnel may determine that an unlisted document meets the department's needs in establishing identity.

(A) school records;

(B) insurance policy (at least two years old);

(C) vehicle title;

(D) military records;

(E) unexpired military dependent identification card;

(F) original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree;

(G) voter registration card;

(H) Social Security card;

(I) pilot's license;

(J) concealed handgun license;

(K) Texas driver's license temporary receipt;

(L) unexpired photo DL or photo ID issued by another (United States) state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province;

(M) expired photo DL or photo ID issued by another (United States) state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province that is within two years of the expiration date;

(N) a consular document issued by a state or national government; or

(O) an offender identification card or similar form of identification issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

(4) Every original applicant must present:

(A) one piece of primary identification, or

(B) one piece of secondary identification plus two pieces of support identification; or,

(C) two pieces of secondary identification.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 31, 2026.

TRD-202603774

D. Phillip Adkins

General Counsel

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: September 20, 2026

Proposal publication date: June 26, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 424-5848

PART 6. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CHAPTER 163. COMMUNITY JUSTICE ASSISTANCE DIVISION STANDARDS

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (board) adopts amendments to §163.38, concerning Sex Offender Supervision without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 1, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 2878). The rule will not be republished. The adopted amendments update statutory references, add language to include applicable grant conditions in subsection (g), and make grammatical and formatting updates.

No public comments were received regarding the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code §76.016, which requires victim notification; §492.013, which authorizes the board to adopt rules; §509.003, which authorizes the board to adopt reasonable rules establishing standards and procedures for the TDCJ Community Justice Assistance Division; and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 42A, which establishes guidelines for community supervision and Chapter 62, which establishes the sex offender registration program.

Cross Reference to Statutes: None.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 31, 2026.

TRD-202603775

Eric Miller

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Effective date: September 20, 2026

Proposal publication date: May 1, 2026

For further information, please call: (936) 437-6700

CHAPTER 195. PAROLE

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (board) adopts amendments to §195.81, concerning the Temporary Housing Assistance Program without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 1, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 2880). The rule will not be republished. The adopted amendments replace "offender" with "parole client" throughout, update address information in paragraph (c)(1), and make grammatical and formatting updates.

No public comments were received regarding the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code §492.013, which authorizes the board to adopt rules; and §508.157, which establish guidelines for temporary housing on release.

Cross Reference to Statutes: None.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 31, 2026.

TRD-202603776

Eric Miller

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Effective date: September 20, 2026

Proposal publication date: May 1, 2026

For further information, please call: (936) 437-6700