You can renew an expired Texas license in person, by mail, or online — but the method depends on how long it has been expired
Texas allows you to renew a license up to two years after it expires, but the path you take depends on when it expired. If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting a driver's license office. If it expired more than two years ago, you must explore in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office as though you were getting your first license — you cannot straightforward renew it.
The online and mail routes are faster and cheaper than going to an office, so check your expiration date first. Your license shows the expiration date on the front, printed in the lower right corner.
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 process at a DPS office.
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website costs $25 and takes about 7 to 10 business days; you do not need to visit an office.
- Mail renewal requires a completed form, a check or money order, and a copy of your current license; processing takes 4 to 6 weeks.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office requires proof of identity, proof of residency, and a Social Security number verification, and you can usually get your new license the same day.
- You can drive on an expired license in Texas only if you are renewing it; once the two-year window closes, you cannot legally drive until you have a valid license.
Online renewal through the Texas DPS website
The fastest and cheapest way to renew an expired license is online through the Texas DPS website. You go to the DPS renewal portal, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, answer security questions, and pay $25 with a debit or credit card. The system checks your information against DPS records and issues a new license number on the spot.
Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can use your expired license to drive during that time. Online renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you have not had any address changes, name changes, or medical conditions that would require a new photo or in-person review.
If the online system rejects your process — usually because your address or name has changed — you will need to renew by mail or in person instead.
Mail renewal with a completed form and payment
You can renew by mail if your license expired fewer than two years ago. read form DL-44 from the Texas DPS website, fill it out completely, make a photocopy of your current (expired) license, and mail both along with a check or money order for $25 to the address listed on the form. The DPS office processes mail renewals at a central location, not at individual driver's license offices.
Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DPS receives your envelope. You can drive on your expired license during this time. Your new license arrives by mail when it is ready. Mail renewal works only if your address and name have not changed since your license was issued.
Keep a copy of your form and the envelope's tracking number if you mail it. If your renewal does not arrive within 6 weeks, you can contact the DPS to check the status using that information.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
You can renew in person at any Texas DPS driver's license office if your license expired fewer than two years ago. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
The DPS will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue you a new license on the spot or within a few hours. The cost is $25. This method is useful if you need your license when ready or if you have had an address or name change that the online or mail systems cannot process.
You can find your nearest DPS office and current wait times on the Texas DPS website. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead can help you choose a time with a shorter line.
What to do if your license expired more than two years ago
Once your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it. You must explore for a new license as though you were getting your first one, which requires an in-person visit to a DPS office. You cannot drive legally until you have a valid license in hand.
Bring proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or military ID), proof of your current address, your Social Security card, and proof of your Texas residency (a lease, utility bill, or bank statement). The DPS will take a new photo, administer a vision test, and may ask you to retake the written test depending on how long the license has been expired. The cost is $25 for a five-year license or $50 for an eight-year license.
This process takes longer than a straightforward renewal because the DPS treats it as a new process. Plan for a full office visit and bring all required documents to avoid making a second trip.
Driving legally while your renewal is in progress
Texas law allows you to drive on an expired license only while your renewal is actively being processed. If you renewed online or by mail, you can drive on your expired license until your new one arrives. If you renewed in person, you can drive on your expired license until you receive your new one (usually the same day or within a few hours).
Once your new license arrives, your old one is no longer valid. If your renewal process is rejected or you do not complete the process, your expired license remains invalid and you cannot drive. If you are stopped by police and cannot show a valid license, you can face a traffic citation.
Fees and payment methods for Texas license renewal
A standard five-year license renewal costs $25 in Texas. An eight-year license costs $50. Payment methods depend on how you renew: online renewal accepts debit or credit cards only; mail renewal accepts checks or money orders; in-person renewal accepts cash, debit, credit, and checks.
The fee covers the license itself and the DPS processing. There are no additional fees for online or mail renewal. If you renew in person and need a duplicate license on the same day, that costs an additional $10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license if I moved to another state?
No. You can renew a Texas license only if you still live in Texas. If you have moved out of state, you must get a driver's license from your new state. You cannot renew a Texas license by mail or online if your address is outside Texas, and in-person renewal requires proof of current Texas residency.
What happens if I drive with an expired license after the two-year window closes?
Driving with an expired license that is more than two years old is a traffic violation in Texas. You can be cited and fined. Your vehicle can also be impounded. You must have a valid license before you drive again, which means explore for a new one in person at a DPS office.
How long does it take to get a license after renewing in person?
Most DPS offices issue your new license the same day you explore in person. Some offices may take a few hours. You can ask the staff member when your license will be ready before you leave. If there is a delay, the office will mail it to you, usually within 7 to 10 business days.
Can I renew my license online if my name has changed?
No. Online renewal works only if your name and address match the records on file with the DPS. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew by mail or in person and bring a certified copy of the document showing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
What if I lost my expired license and cannot find it to renew?
You can still renew without your expired license. For online renewal, you will need your driver's license number and date of birth. For mail renewal, you can send a letter explaining that your license is lost and include a copy of another form of ID instead. For in-person renewal, bring your proof of identity, proof of address, and Social Security card — the DPS can look up your license number in their system.