Texas Department of Public Safety

What Texas Department of Public Safety does

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state law enforcement and regulatory agency of Texas, formally established in 1935 and tracing its institutional lineage to the Texas Rangers founded in 1823. The agency is headquartered in Austin at 5805 North Lamar Blvd and is organized into seven regional commands delivering services across all Texas counties. Its core functional areas include Driver License and ID Services (issuing licenses valid for up to eight years and ID cards valid for up to six years); Regulatory Services (handgun licensing under License to Carry, private security regulation, vehicle inspection certification, metals recycling registration, and the Compassionate-Use Program); the Crime Laboratory Division (forensic analysis of DNA, trace evidence, seized drugs, blood alcohol, firearms, toxicology, and digital/multimedia evidence); and Crime Records Services (criminal history checks, sex offender registry, fingerprinting, and FBI CJIS compliance auditing).

The agency's underlying technology stack includes statewide criminal justice systems such as TLETS (Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System), TDEx (Texas Data Exchange), the state CODIS DNA database, the AFIS fingerprint identification system, and a License Plate Reader program. It operates the Texas Fusion Center for intelligence coordination and the Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting Network (TxSARNet). Supporting channels include a statewide network of driver license offices and Mega Centers, online self-service portals, telephone and mail-in renewal, a mobile application, RSS feeds, and social media accounts.

DPS generates fee-based revenue through driver license issuance and renewal, commercial driver licenses, handgun licensing, private security and vehicle inspection certifications, criminal history background checks, and public information requests. As a state agency, it is also funded through legislative appropriations. Its customer base spans Texas residents (driver and firearm licensing), the 13,000+ law enforcement agencies participating in the LESO Program, employers and licensing agencies requiring criminal history checks, regulated businesses, and federal/state partners such as the FBI, TxDOT, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Name

Texas Department of Public Safety

Legal name

Texas Department of Public Safety

Website

https://dps.texas.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The Texas Department of Public Safety is the state law enforcement and regulatory agency of Texas, issuing driver licenses and IDs, regulating private security and firearms, operating forensic crime laboratories and statewide criminal justice information systems, and coordinating fugitive apprehension and emergency alerts for Texas residents and law enforcement agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety / State Law Enforcement Services

NAICS

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922), Police Protection (922120), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Traffic Enforcement & Road Safety (Highway Patrol, DUI, Collision Investigation) (BPAIAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Licensing, Permitting & Regulatory Administration (Cross-sector) (BPAIABAO), Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) & Driver Screening (BPACALAG)

Keywords

• Law enforcement services
• Driver license issuance
• Forensic laboratory services
• Criminal justice records
• Regulatory oversight

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Driver License and ID Fees: Revenue from issuing driver licenses valid for up to eight years and identification cards valid for up to six years to Texas residents. Fees apply to original issuance, renewal, replacement, and duplicate documents.
2. Commercial Driver License (CDL) Fees: Fees for commercial driver license issuance, renewal, and testing with additional requirements beyond standard licenses.
3. Handgun Licensing (LTC) Fees: Revenue from licensing individuals to carry handguns within Texas, including application fees, renewal fees, and instructor certification fees under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter H.
4. Private Security Regulatory Fees: Revenue from regulating the private security profession including fingerprint-based background checks, license fees, and disciplinary action fees.
5. Vehicle Inspection Program Fees: Revenue from licensing official vehicle inspection stations and inspectors throughout the state.
6. Texas Metals Program Registration: Revenue from registering and regulating Metal Recycling Entities (MREs) in Texas including business licenses and compliance oversight.
7. Criminal History Background Check Fees: Fees for criminal history conviction name searches, fingerprinting services, and rapback services for employment and licensing purposes.
8. Sex Offender Registry Access: Public access to sex offender registry information maintained by DPS.
9. Public Information Act Request Fees: Charges for copies of public information as set by the Office of the Attorney General for fulfilling Texas Public Information Act requests.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Texas Department of Public Safety is a state law enforcement and regulatory agency that issues driver licenses and identification cards, administers handgun licensing (License to Carry), operates the state's crime laboratory for forensic analysis including the CODIS DNA database, manages criminal history records and the sex offender registry, regulates private security, vehicle inspection stations, and metals recycling entities, and coordinates statewide emergency alert and fugitive apprehension programs.

Product overview

Texas Department of Public Safety is a law enforcement and regulatory agency offering a broad portfolio of public safety services organized into distinct divisions. The core offerings include Driver License & ID Services (issuing and managing driver licenses and identification cards), the Regulatory Services Division (handgun licensing/LTC, private security regulation, vehicle inspection, metals program), the Crime Laboratory Division (forensic analysis and CODIS DNA database), and Crime Records Services (criminal history records, sex offender registry, CJIS security). Supporting programs include the Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitive program, statewide alert systems (AMBER, Silver, Blue, CLEAR), Texas DPS Mobile App, and the Texas Fusion Center intelligence hub. The agency operates through seven regional commands serving all Texas counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Driver License & ID Services

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Texas Crime StopperscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Funded by the Governor's Public Safety Office, Texas Crime Stoppers partners with DPS to offer cash rewards (up to $3,000-$7,500) for anonymous tips leading to arrests of Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders, and Criminal Illegal Immigrants. In 2026, $61,500 in rewards have been paid for tips yielding arrests.
• U.S. Marshals ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-agency collaboration on fugitive apprehension operations. U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Oklahoma Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force and Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force work with DPS on locating and capturing dangerous fugitives across state lines.
• Oklahoma Highway PatrolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState law enforcement partnership providing tactical assistance for multi-state fugitive apprehension operations. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Tactical Team provided support for the capture of Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitive James Lee Kirby.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in multi-agency fugitive task force operations spanning state and national boundaries for border security and law enforcement coordination.
• Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level law enforcement collaboration on criminal investigations and fugitive apprehension across Oklahoma and Texas.
• Texas Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Network partner for disseminating qualifying missing person and public safety advisories through the statewide alert system. Coordinates on transportation-related emergency notifications.
• National Weather ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Network partner for weather-related emergency alerts and coordination on disaster response and public safety notifications.
• National Center for Missing and Exploited ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner supporting AMBER Alert program and missing children cases through national coordination and resources.
• Texas Lottery CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Network partner for alert dissemination through lottery retail locations across Texas.
• Independent Bankers Association of TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Network partner for financial sector alert distribution, particularly for CLEAR Alerts regarding criminals and criminal activity.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational criminal justice partner receiving statewide criminal justice data and participating in CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). DPS forwards compiled statewide databases to FBI national databases and receives national data in return.
• Over 13,000 Law Enforcement Agencies (LESO Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPS assists qualifying law enforcement agencies with applying for and receiving excess U.S. Department of Defense property through the LESO Program for counterdrug/counterterrorism and daily law enforcement missions at no cost to the LEAs.
• Texas Media OutletscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Network partner for rapid public notification of urgent public safety situations through broadcast and digital media channels.
• Texas Fusion Center (TxFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPS operates the Texas Fusion Center for suspicious activity reporting and intelligence coordination. Contact: (866) 786-5972 or [email protected]. Privacy policy available for reporting.
• Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS)coreTechnology or IntegrationStatewide criminal justice telecommunications system enabling law enforcement agencies to access critical information and coordinate operations.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• California Highway Patrol: California's statewide law enforcement agency operating highway patrol, criminal investigations, and regulatory functions similar to Texas DPS. Comparable in scope across driver licensing oversight, multi-agency task force operations, and large-scale forensic/criminal justice infrastructure serving the largest U.S. state population.
• Michigan State Police: Michigan's full-service statewide law enforcement agency combining highway patrol, criminal investigations, forensics, and forensic laboratory services. Comparable to Texas DPS across regulatory oversight, statewide criminal justice systems, and integrated patrol/investigative functions.
• Illinois State Police: Illinois's statewide law enforcement agency with parallel patrol, investigations, forensics, and regulatory functions. Comparable to Texas DPS on statewide criminal intelligence, regulatory enforcement of private security and firearms, and forensic laboratory services.
• Ohio State Highway Patrol: Ohio's statewide law enforcement agency operating highway patrol, criminal investigations, and criminal justice information services. Directly comparable to Texas DPS on traffic enforcement, criminal intelligence sharing, and state-level forensics/information systems serving a mid-to-large population.
• Florida Highway Patrol: Florida's statewide highway patrol and motor vehicle compliance enforcement arm within FLHSMV. Directly comparable to Texas DPS's Highway Patrol Division on traffic enforcement, commercial vehicle regulation, and integrated driver licensing/regulatory functions across a large state.
• New York State Police: New York's statewide law enforcement agency providing highway patrol, criminal investigations, and forensic services analogous to Texas DPS. Comparable across regulatory oversight, statewide criminal justice telecommunications, and integrated K-9/tactical resources serving a large population base.
• Pennsylvania State Police: Pennsylvania's full-service statewide law enforcement agency providing patrol, investigations, and forensic services. Comparable to Texas DPS in providing comprehensive law enforcement services rather than narrowly scoped highway patrol, with similar regulatory and licensing program portfolios.

Broad incumbents

• Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): Florida's statewide criminal investigative and forensic services agency, broader in investigative mandate than typical state police. Comparable to Texas DPS on statewide criminal justice information systems, forensic laboratory services, and interagency data exchange infrastructure.
• U.S. Marshals Service: Federal fugitive apprehension agency that partners directly with Texas DPS on multi-agency task force operations including Texas 10 Most Wanted captures. Comparable on fugitive operations, multi-jurisdictional task force coordination, and tactical/operational support for high-priority apprehensions.
• California Department of Justice: California's statewide law enforcement and regulatory agency operating criminal records, forensic services, and regulatory oversight of private security. Comparable to Texas DPS on criminal history database management, regulatory licensing, and integrated forensic laboratory operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/txdps
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TxDeptPublicSafety
• Facebookfacebook.com/TxDPS

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Texas Department of Public Safety