The Texas DPS has the authorization to deny the issuance of a driver license to someone involved in criminal mischief such as graffiti.

The assertion that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has the authority to deny the issuance of a driver license to an individual involved in criminal mischief, including graffiti, aligns with the standards and practices of many state licensing authorities.

When a person is charged with criminal activities, particularly those that involve vandalism or property damage, this can reflect negatively on their character and responsibility as a prospective driver. States, including Texas, typically reserve the right to assess an individual's moral fitness to hold a driver's license, a privilege that requires a significant level of responsibility. Actions such as graffiti not only cause property damage but may also suggest a disregard for the law, leading the DPS to conclude that issuing a license to such an individual may not be in the best interest of public safety.

This authority is exercised to ensure that individuals granted the privilege of driving are deemed responsible and law-abiding citizens. Therefore, the DPS can indeed deny licensing privileges due to involvement in such criminal activities.