Compact with Texans

May 04, 2023

The Customer Relations Representative for the Texas Department of Public Safety is: Jeoffry Williams, Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Services. Among other duties, the Customer Relations Representative also coordinates DPS customer service performance measures, gathers information and evaluations from the public about DPS’ customer service, responds to customer concerns and establishes the Compact with Texans.

While the Texas Department of Public Safety interacts with various Texans daily, for the purpose of the Compact with Texans, Department customers are defined as those external customers that interact with the Driver License Division and Regulatory Services Division.

Commending a DPS employee

Because numerous DPS employees interact with the public, we have a mechanism for the public to send a compliment to commend a DPS employee. Members of the public are welcome to fill out the webform found at: https://www.dps.texas.gov/PublicInformation/commendEmp/

Because numerous DPS employees interact with the public, we also have a mechanism for the public to file complaints with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding interactions with a DPS employee. Members of the public may contact the OIG by:

Texas Department of Public Safety Office of Inspector General 13706 Research Blvd., Suite 100 Austin, TX 78750

To get a Driver License for the first time, customers must:

Once the transaction has been completed, it typically takes 7-10 days to receive the Driver License in the mail.

Detailed information for applying for a Driver License can be found online at: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-apply-texas-driver-license

Detailed information for teen drivers can be found online at: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-apply-texas-driver-license-teen

To get an Identification Card for the first time, customers must:

Once the transaction has been completed, it typically takes 7-10 days to receive the Identification Card in the mail.

Detailed information for applying for an Identification Card can be found online at:https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-apply-texas-identification-card

To get a Commercial Driver License for the first time, customers must first have aTexas driver license and apply for a Commercial Learner Permit(CLP).

Applicants will need to provide the following to apply for a commercial learner permit:

Once the applicant has gathered the necessary documents and completed the required courses, they will need to do the following:

Once an applicant has held their CLP for a minimum of 14 days, they are eligible to complete the necessary driving tests to obtain a CDL. The applicant will need to provide a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for the driving test. The CMV must be representative of the type of CLP the applicant holds.

The applicant will need to:

Once the transaction has been completed, it typically takes 7-10 days to receive the Commercial Driver License in the mail.

Detailed information for applying for a Commercial Driver License can be found online at:https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-do-i-apply-commercial-driver-license

For questions about Driver License, Identification Card, or Commercial Driver License issues, customers have several options. Customers can:

DPS is charged with administering the following regulatory programs: Capitol Access Pass, Compassionate Use, Handgun Licensing, Ignition Interlock Device, Metal Recycling, Private Security, and Vehicle Inspection.

The Capitol Access Pass (CAP) provides expedited access to the Texas State Capitol through the main public entrances. Approved applicants may present their Texas Driver License or identification card at the line designated for Handgun License holders and CAP for entry into the Capitol at one of the main entrances.

To apply for a CAP, an applicant must complete an online application at www.Texas.gov/CAP and pay the non-refundable fees using a credit or debit card. After submitting an online application, applicants must schedule and submit electronic fingerprints to initiate the background check.

To be eligible for a Capitol Access Pass, the applicant must:

An applicant will need to provide the following information as part of the online application:

(Please note: The applicant will also have to pay a separate electronic fingerprinting fee during the fingerprinting process.)

Detailed information including applicable licensing procedures and eligibility requirements for a Capitol Access Pass can be found online at: https://www.dps.texas.gov//section/capitol-access-pass/licensing-and-registrationFor questions about the Capitol Access Pass customers can:

DPS licenses dispensing organizations to cultivate, process, and dispense low-THC cannabis to prescribed patients and registers their directors, managers, and employees.

Low-THC cannabis may be prescribed if:

The Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) is a secure registry of qualified physicians that prescribe low THC-cannabis to patients. Physician qualifications are outlined in the Texas Occupations Code Section §169.002 as follows:

The approved medical conditions for which low-THC cannabis may be prescribed are:

To search the CURT database to find a participating physician that can prescribe low-THC cannabis please visit: https://curt.dps.texas.gov/app/public/searchPhysician.xhtml Detailed information, including applicable licensing procedures and eligibility requirements for the Compassionate Use Program can be found online at: https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/section/compassionate-use-program

For questions about the Compassionate Use Program customers can:

DPS licenses individuals to carry handguns within Texas, evaluates the eligibility of applicants through criminal history background checks and monitors those currently licensed to ensure their continued eligibility. DPS also trains and certifies instructors who teach the required course to applicants. To be eligible for a License to Carry a Handgun (LTC), applicants are required to submit fingerprints to DPS as part of the complete LTC application.

To be eligible for a License to Carry, the applicant must:

Detailed information, including applicable licensing procedures and eligibility requirements for Handgun Licensing, can be found online at: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing

For questions about the Handgun Licensing Program customers can:

Mail Including Payment: Texas Department of Public Safety PO Box 15888 Austin, TX 78761-5888 Mail without payment to: Texas Department of Public Safety Handgun Licensing Program, MSC 0245 PO Box 4087 Austin, TX 78773-0245

DPS establishes minimum standards for vendors of Ignition Interlock Devices (IID) who conduct business in Texas and procedures to ensure compliance with those standards, including device approval procedures for the inspection of a vendor's facilities. DPS staff authorizes vendors to install, download, remove, repair, replace and report all required data recorded by the device.

In order to maintain authorization, the vendor must have:

An application is complete when:(1) It contains all of the items required pursuant to this section;(2) $450 fee has been paid; and(3) All requests for additional information have been satisfied.

Detailed information about the Ignition Interlock Device program can be found at:https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/ignition-interlock-device

For questions about the Ignition Interlock Device Program customers can:

Mail Including Payment: Texas Department of Public Safety PO Box 15888 Austin, TX 78761-5888

Mail without payment to: Texas Department of Public Safety Ignition Interlock Program, MSC 0542 PO Box 4087 Austin, TX 78773-0001

DPS regulates the private security profession in Texas. DPS protects the public by conducting fingerprint-based background checks on applicants, investigating and resolving complaints, and taking disciplinary action against licensees or seeking criminal prosecution of those who perform private security services without a license.

The private security profession includes armed and unarmed security guards, personal protection officers, private investigators, alarm systems installers and monitors, armored car couriers, electronic access control device installers, and locksmiths. DPS regulates the private security profession under the authority of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 and the related administrative rules.

To be eligible to be considered for a Private Security company license, an applicant will need:

In addition, Business Owner(s) must not have a disqualifying criminal history record.To be eligible to be considered for an Individual Private Security license an applicant will need:

In addition, an applicant may not have a disqualifying criminal history record and a pocket card will not be issued unless the individual is affiliated with a licensed company.

Eligibility for a private security license varies by individual license and business license types.Detailed information about the Private Security Program can be found at:https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/private-security

For questions about the Private Security Program customers can:

Mail Including Payment: Texas Department of Public Safety PO Box 15999 Austin, TX 78761-5999

Mail without payment to: Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security - MSC 0241 PO Box 4087 Austin, TX 78773-0001

DPS registers and regulates all metal recycling entities (MRE). DPS licenses businesses, evaluates the eligibility of applicants through criminal history background checks, oversees transaction record keeping, and conducts routine inspections to ensure compliance with applicable laws and administrative rules. DPS also provides on-line training to all MRE owners.

To be eligible to be considered a Metal Recycling Entity an applicant will need to provide:

In addition, Business Owner(s) must not have a disqualifying criminal history record.

Detailed information for the Texas Metals Program can be found online at:https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/texas-metals-program

For questions about the Texas Metals Program customers can:

Texas Department of Public Safety Metals Registration - MSC 0244 PO Box 4087 Austin, TX 78773-0001

Vehicles registered in Texas are required to pass an annual inspection to ensure compliance with safety standards. While safety inspections are required throughout the state, emissions testing is required of vehicles inspected in 17 Texas counties to comply with federally mandated clean air requirements. Vehicle inspections are performed at Official Vehicle Inspection Stations licensed by DPS.

To be eligible to be certified as an official inspection station an applicant must:

In addition, there are a series of standards for facilities, equipment and signage as well as standards of conduct that must be adhered to in order to be certified as a vehicle inspection station. Detailed information about the Vehicle Inspection Program can be found at:https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection

For questions about the Vehicle Inspection Program customers can:

Mail Including Payment: Texas Department of Public Safety PO Box 15999 Austin, TX 78761-5999

Mail without payment to: Texas Department of Public Safety Vehicle Inspection - MSC 0542 PO Box 4087 Austin, TX 78773-0001

Government Code Sec. 2114.006. CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE; COMPACT WITH TEXANS.