You can renew an expired Texas driver's license in person, by mail, or online depending on how long it has been expired
If your Texas driver's license has already expired, you cannot legally drive. The renewal process depends on how far past the expiration date you are. If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew it through the standard channels — online, by mail, or at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS office and may need to retake the written test and vision test, though not the driving test.
The fastest route is usually online through the Texas DPS website if your license expired within the last two years and you have not had any major changes to your information (like a name change or address change). If you cannot renew online, the mail option takes about two to three weeks, while in-person renewal at a DPS office typically happens the same day you visit.
Key Takeaways
- Licenses expired fewer than two years ago can be renewed online, by mail, or in person; licenses expired more than two years ago require an in-person visit to a DPS office.
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if you are within the two-year window and your personal information has not changed.
- By-mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires mailing your expired license, a completed process form, and payment to the address on the DPS website.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office requires a Real ID-compliant document (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) and proof of residency, and you will receive your new license the same day.
- If your license expired more than two years ago, you will need to pass a vision test and written test at the DPS office, but not a driving test.
Renewing online if your license expired within two years
The Texas DPS website allows you to renew online at dps.texas.gov if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you meet certain conditions. You cannot renew online if you have a commercial driver's license, if your address has changed, if your name has changed, or if your license was suspended or revoked. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).
The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will answer questions about your current information, pay the renewal fee (which varies depending on whether you want a standard license or a Real ID-compliant license), and submit. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive with your expired license until the new one arrives, since you have a record of your renewal in the system.
Renewing by mail if online is not an option
If you cannot renew online — because your license expired more than two years ago, or because your information has changed — you can renew by mail. You will need to complete Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), which you can read from the DPS website or request by calling the DPS at 1-888-589-6789. You will also need to include your expired driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days), and payment by check or money order.
Mail your completed form, documents, and payment to the address listed on the DPS website — it varies by region. Processing takes two to three weeks. During this time, you cannot legally drive. If your license expired more than two years ago, the DPS will mail you a notice asking you to visit a DPS office to take the vision and written tests before your new license is issued.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, or if you prefer not to renew online or by mail. You will need to visit a Texas DPS office with your expired driver's license, a Real ID-compliant document (a U.S. passport, birth certificate, state ID, or military ID), and proof of residency. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days.
Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. At the office, you will pay the renewal fee, have your vision tested, and if your license expired more than two years ago, take a written test covering Texas traffic laws. You will not take a driving test. Your new license will be issued the same day, though you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is. You can find your nearest DPS office and check wait times on the DPS website.
What happens if your license expired more than two years ago
If your Texas driver's license has been expired for more than two years, the renewal process is stricter. You must renew in person at a DPS office — you cannot renew online or by mail. At the office, you will take a vision test and a written test on Texas traffic rules. The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You will not retake a driving test, only the written and vision tests.
To prepare for the written test, you can study the Texas Driver Handbook, which is available free on the DPS website. Many people pass on their first attempt if they review the handbook for 30 minutes to an hour. If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or return another day at no additional cost.
Documents you need for in-person renewal
| Document Type | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real ID-compliant document | U.S. passport, birth certificate, state ID, military ID | Required; must be original or certified copy |
| Proof of residency | Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement | Must be dated within the last 90 days |
| Social Security verification | Social Security card or document showing your SSN | Required |
| Expired driver's license | Your expired Texas license | Bring the physical card |
Renewal fees and what affects the cost
The renewal fee for a Texas driver's license depends on the type of license and how long it is valid for. A standard driver's license renewed for eight years costs less than a Real ID-compliant license, which also costs less than a commercial driver's license. Fees also vary slightly depending on whether you renew online, by mail, or in person, though the difference is usually just a few dollars.
You can find the exact current fee on the DPS website before you renew. Payment methods vary by renewal type: online renewals accept debit and credit cards, mail renewals require check or money order, and in-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, or credit card at most offices. Some DPS offices may have different payment options, so call ahead if you have a specific payment method in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
If you renewed online or in person, you have a record of your renewal in the system and can drive legally until your new license arrives. If you renewed by mail, you cannot drive until your new license is mailed to you, which takes two to three weeks. During that time, you are driving with an expired license, which is illegal.
What if I fail the written test at the DPS office?
You can retake the written test the same day at no extra cost, or you can return another day to retake it. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test. Most people pass on the second attempt after reviewing the Texas Driver Handbook more carefully.
Do I need a Real ID-compliant license, or can I get a standard license?
You can choose either one when you renew. A Real ID-compliant license costs more but is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings after May 2025. A standard license is cheaper and works for driving and most other purposes. You can choose at the time of renewal.
What if my address has changed since my license expired?
You cannot renew online if your address has changed. You must renew by mail or in person. Bring proof of your new residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 90 days) to the DPS office, or include it with your mail renewal process.
How long does it take to get my new license after in-person renewal?
You receive your new license the same day you visit the DPS office. You will wait at the office while your process is processed, usually 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy it is. You can then drive legally with your new license when ready.