Where to Get Your Amarillo Driver's License

In Amarillo, you obtain and renew your driver's license at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Division office. The main location is at 3502 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79102. This is the only office in Potter County that issues licenses, so if you live in or near Amarillo, this is where you'll go.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. You cannot renew online if you need a new photo or if your license has been expired for more than two years. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait longer during peak hours—typically mid-morning and early afternoon. Calling ahead at (806) 356-2015 can tell you current wait times.

If you cannot visit in person, Texas allows mail renewal for certain situations: if your license is not suspended, you have not had a name change, and your license expired fewer than two years ago. You can request a renewal process by mail through the DPS website or by calling the Amarillo office directly.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amarillo DPS Driver License office is located at 3502 Plains Boulevard and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • You need a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number to obtain or renew a license in Texas.
  • A standard five-year license costs $45, and a six-year license for drivers 85 and older costs $30.
  • If your license has been expired for more than two years or you need a name change, you must renew in person at the office.
  • Texas allows mail renewal only if your license expired fewer than two years ago and your status is not suspended or revoked.

Documents You Need to Bring

Texas requires three categories of documents when you explore for or renew a driver's license. First, you need proof of identity: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a state ID card. If you do not have one of these, you can use a combination of documents such as a school ID and a Social Security card, but the DPS office can tell you which combinations they accept.

Second, you need proof of residency. This can be a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance policy, or a government check dated within the last 90 days. The document must show your current address in Amarillo. A post office box does not count as proof of residency.

Third, you need proof of your Social Security number. You can bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.

Cost and License Validity Period

A standard driver's license in Texas is valid for five years and costs $45. If you are 85 years old or older, you can get a six-year license for $30. If you are renewing by mail, add $2 for postage and handling. The DPS office accepts cash, check, and debit or credit card.

If you are renewing early—before your current license expires—you pay the full fee, and your new license will be valid for five years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expired. This means you do not lose time on your license validity by renewing early.

Renewing Your License Before It Expires

You can renew your Texas driver's license up to one year before it expires. Renewing early does not cost extra, but you will pay the full renewal fee. Many people renew early to avoid the rush near the expiration date or to update their photo.

If you renew in person at the Amarillo DPS office, you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 45 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you. The plastic card usually arrives within two to three weeks. If you renew by mail, the entire process takes longer—typically four to six weeks from the time the DPS receives your process.

What Happens If Your License Expires

If your license expires, you cannot legally drive in Texas. However, you can still renew it after expiration. If your license has been expired for fewer than two years, you can renew by mail or in person. If it has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at the Amarillo office and will need to pass the written test and vision test again.

Driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation and a fine. If you are stopped by law enforcement, explain that you have an expired license and ask about the process for renewal. Some officers may issue a warning if the expiration is recent, but this is not may provide.

Name Changes and License Updates

If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew your license in person at the Amarillo DPS office. Bring your current license, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree), and the standard documents listed above. You will need to pass the vision test and have a new photo taken.

If you have changed your address but your name is the same, you can update your address by mail or in person. If you renew by mail and your address has changed, include a letter with your process stating your new address and include proof of residency at the new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Amarillo driver's license online?

Texas does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You can renew by mail if your license expired fewer than two years ago and your status is not suspended, or you can renew in person at the Amarillo DPS office at 3502 Plains Boulevard.

How long does it take to get a new license after I renew?

If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days, and your plastic card arrives by mail in two to three weeks. If you renew by mail, the entire process takes four to six weeks from the time the DPS receives your process.

What if I lost my Social Security card?

You can bring a W-2, 1099, or tax return as proof of your Social Security number instead. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for one.

Do I need an appointment to renew my license at the Amarillo office?

Walk-ins are accepted at the Amarillo DPS office, but you may wait longer during peak hours. Call (806) 356-2015 to check current wait times before you go, or ask about scheduling an appointment if one is available.

What if my license was suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license by mail. You must visit the Amarillo DPS office in person. The office staff can tell you what steps you need to take to restore your driving privileges before you can renew.