We are not legal professional so for legal information on if out of state college students need to exchange their driver's license for a TX license you should contact a Texas Lawyer or the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

What we can give you is information we have found regarding the definition of a resident, for in-state tuition purposes, and the part of the Texas Transportation Code that gives information on driver's license so you can read through it for yourself. By reading through the TX Transportation Code you may be able to answer your own question or be able to know what exact questions about Texas law you will want to as the DPS.

From what we have read an enrolled student is classified either as a resident of Texas, a nonresident, or a foreign student. Residency for admission and tuition purposes at a public college or university in Texas is different from residency for voting or taxing purposes.

To qualify as a Texas resident for college, an individual must reside in Texas for one year and establish a domicile in Texas prior to enrollment. An applicant or student who is claimed as a dependent on a parent's most recent federal tax return will be classified based on the parent's qualifications for residency.

The Texas Driver's Manual states that those that may operate a motor vehicle in Texas include (only listing the 2 that appear to be associated with your question):

• A nonresident (at least 16 years of age) who has in his possession a valid driver license issued to him in his home state may operate a vehicle which is permitted to be operated with a Class C or Class M driver license in Texas.
• Nonresidents (at least 18 years of age) may drive any vehicle in Texas if they are legally licensed to drive such a vehicle in their home state or country, and their home state or country grants like recognition to citizens of Texas.

Now the Texas Transportation Code that deals with driver's license is Title 7 (Vehicles and Traffic), Chapter 521 (Driver's Licenses and Certificates). Section 521.030 is titled Reciprocal License and states:

(a) A nonresident who is 18 years of age or older and who has in the person's possession a license issued to the person by the person's state or country of residence that is similar to a Class A or Class B driver's license issued under this chapter is not required to hold a Class A or Class B driver's license issued under this chapter if that state or country of residence recognizes such a license issued by this state and exempts the holder from securing a license issued by the state or foreign country.

(b) A nonresident who is 16 years of age or older and who has in the person's possession a driver's license issued to the person by the person's state or Canadian province of residence may operate a type of motor vehicle that is permitted to be operated with a Class C or Class M driver's license in this state if the license held by the nonresident permits operation of that type of vehicle in the person's state or province of residence.

You can read through all of Chapter 521 of the Texas Transportation Code to see if there are other areas of TX law that deal with the issue of a non-resident student with an out-of-state driver's license and if there is a requirement to change over their license or not.

Whether you need auto insurance in Texas or any other state you can click here cheap student car insurance information.