Apply for a chauffeur permit

Applicants interested in chauffeur permitting should note the following:

• Chauffeur permits may be renewed within 30 days prior to the expiration date. There is no grace period on expired chauffeur permits.
• The Ground Transportation Office does not provide copies of any documents.
• The chauffeur permit application should be notarized in Travis County. After you submit your online application, you will receive an email with notary instructions. 
• If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, the applicant must bring a Green Card, Resident Card, I-90, employment authorization, or Social Security card along with a Texas driver's license.
• Applicants must provide proof of a successfully completed defensive driving course for any moving violation convictions that occurred within the past 3 years.
• Applicants must have a certified driving record from all states resided in within the past 3 years.
• If you have recently renewed your driver's license and are due for an extension, you must schedule an appointment prior to the permit expiring. 
• The application costs $25.00. Methods of payment accepted: credit and debit card, exact cash, money order, cashier's check and personal check (as long as it is not a temporary check). Make checks payable to the City of Austin.

You can now apply online! Create an account and start your chauffeur permit application using the new online application. 

Steps to apply online:

1. Go to the online application. 
2. Review the instructions and then start your application by clicking "Sign up/ Log in" 
3. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email.
4. Transportation and Public Works staff will review applications and documents.
5. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an email with payment and notary instructions.
   1. You WILL NOT be able to pay online at this time
   2. Methods of payment accepted: credit card, debit card, exact cash, money order, cashier's check, personal check (as long as it is not a temporary check). Make checks payable to the City of Austin.
6. Your application must be approved before you can schedule your written test at  our office: 1501 Toomey Road
7. If you pass the test, you will be issued a chauffeur permit that same day.
8. If you do not pass, you may take the test once per day for up to three days. If you do not pass after three attempts, you must come back after thirty days with new documents.

Conditional chauffer permits

Applicants with an out-of-state driver's license may receive a conditional chauffeur permit. The permit is valid for 90 days. If you receive a Texas driver's license while the conditional permit is valid, you can convert the conditional permit to a full permit.