| YEAR | HISTORY |
| 1823 | Texas Rangers organized to protect colonists. |
| 1927 | License and Weight Section created in Highway Department. |
| 1929 | Highway Patrol organized from License and Weight Section. |
| 1935 | Texas Department of Public Safety created, with Texas Rangers and Highway Patrol as it's nucleus. |
| 1937 | DPS given responsibility for driver licensing and narcotics enforcement. |
| 1941 | DPS assigned to maintain all vehicle accident records. |
| 1951 | Motor Vehicle Inspection Act passed. |
| 1952 | Safety Responsibility Act passed. |
| 1957 | DPS reorganized along regional lines. |
| 1963 | State Civil Defense program transferred to DPS by Governor. |
| 1967 | Data Processing Division created to file driver and criminal records electronically. |
| 1968 | Uniformed services placed under Traffic Law Enforcement Division. Criminal Law Enforcement Division created to coordinate criminal law enforcement matters. |
| 1970 | Organized Crime Unit formed in Criminal Intellegence Service. |
| 1972 | Motor Vehicle Theft Service formed in Criminal Enforcement Division. |
| 1973 | Support divisions placed under new Administrative Division. |
| 1973 | Texas Rangers celebrate 150th anniversary. |
| 1985 | DPS observes 150th anniversary. |
Effective September 1st, 2003, the Traffic Law Enforcement Division (founded in 1968) changed to the new Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Division. The division, once made up of several services, now only has two (2) services--Highway Patrol (HP) and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE). The new HP Service incorporates the Highway Patrol service, the Capitol service, the Vehicle Inspection Service, and the Safety Education service. The former License and Weight Service is now known as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement.
New DPS officers are assigned to Trooper positions in the Highway Patrol, Driver's License, License and Weight, or Motor Vehicle Inspection Services.
Promotions to advanced Trooper ranks and Sergeant, and Criminal Law Enforcement Division positions are available to qualified Troopers. Troopers are also eligible, if qualified, to be considered for positions in the Administrative Division.
Commissioned members of the Texas Department of Public Safety have statewide authority as peace officers of the State of Texas.