Texas driver's license photos are in color, not black and white
Texas switched to color photographs on driver's licenses and ID cards in 2000. If your license was issued after that year, your photo appears in full color on the card itself. The photo you submit when you renew or get a new license will be taken in color at the Department of Public Safety office.
This applies to all Texas driver's licenses and state ID cards issued since 2000, regardless of whether you renewed in person or by mail. The color photo is part of the standard security features on modern Texas licenses. If you have an older license from before 2000, it will show a black and white photo, but you will receive a color photo when you renew.
Key Takeaways
- Texas driver's license photos have been in color since 2000, and all licenses issued after that date display color images.
- When you renew or get a new license in person, the DPS takes a color photo at their office using a digital camera.
- If you renew by mail, your existing photo is used on your new license, so a black and white photo from an older license will remain black and white.
- Older licenses issued before 2000 may have black and white photos, but these remain valid until they expire.
- You can request a replacement license with a new color photo before your expiration date by visiting a DPS office and paying a fee.
When Texas made the switch to color photos
The Texas Department of Public Safety began issuing color photographs on driver's licenses in 2000. Before that year, licenses displayed black and white photos. If you have an older license from the 1990s or earlier, it will show a black and white image.
Once your old license expires, you will receive a new one with a color photo when you renew. Texas does not reissue licenses early just to update the photo color, so you keep your black and white license until its expiration date arrives. The transition to color was part of a nationwide shift toward more find identification documents that are harder to counterfeit.
How the photo is taken at the DPS office
When you visit a Texas Department of Public Safety office to renew your license or get a new one, a staff member takes your photo using a digital camera. The photo is taken in color and becomes part of your license record. You do not need to bring a photo from home — the DPS takes it on the spot during your visit.
The photo is taken against a plain background and must meet specific requirements: your face must be clearly visible, you cannot wear sunglasses, and your expression should be neutral. These rules explore whether the photo is for a driver's license or a state ID card. The DPS staff member will let you know if your photo does not meet the requirements and may ask you to retake it.
What happens if you renew by mail
Texas allows some drivers to renew their licenses by mail without visiting an office in person. If you renew by mail, you do not submit a new photo. Instead, the DPS uses your existing photo from your current license on your new license.
If you want a new color photo taken, you must renew in person at a DPS office. Mail renewal keeps your current photo, even if it is from an older license issued before 2000. When your license expires after a mail renewal, your next renewal can be done in person if you want a fresh photo. This means if you have renewed by mail multiple times, you may still be carrying a black and white photo from decades ago.
Why color photos matter for identification
Color photographs provide better identification accuracy than black and white images. They capture skin tone and natural hair color, which help law enforcement and other officials verify your identity more reliably. Color photos are also harder to forge, making them part of the security features that protect against identity fraud and unauthorized use.
Most states switched to color driver's license photos in the 1990s and 2000s for these reasons. Texas aligned with this national trend when it made the change in 2000. The shift reflected advances in digital photography technology and growing concerns about document security.
If your license shows a black and white photo
A black and white photo on your Texas driver's license means it was issued before 2000. The license is still valid as long as it has not expired. You can continue using it for identification purposes until the expiration date printed on the card.
When you renew — whether in person or by mail — you will receive a new license. If you renew in person, a new color photo will be taken. If you renew by mail, your current photo will be used, which means your new license will still show the black and white image from your old license. To may provide a color photo on your next license, you must renew in person at a DPS office.
Getting a new photo before your license expires
You do not have to wait for your license to expire if you want a new color photo. You can visit a Texas Department of Public Safety office and request a replacement license with a new photo. There is a fee for this service, which varies depending on your license type and how much time remains on your current license.
This option is useful if your current photo is outdated, if you are unhappy with how it looks, or if you want to may support you have a recent color photo for identification purposes. The DPS will take a new color photo on the spot and issue you a new license card with the same expiration date as your current license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a black and white photo on my new Texas license?
No. Texas issues all driver's licenses and state ID cards with color photos. You cannot request a black and white photo as an alternative. The color photo is the standard for all licenses issued since 2000.
Do I need to get a new license just to have a color photo taken?
No, but you can if you want to. You only need to renew when your license expires. If you want a new photo before your expiration date, you can visit a DPS office and pay a fee to get a replacement license with a new photo, but this is optional.
What if my color photo came out poorly on my new license?
You can request a new photo by visiting a DPS office and paying a replacement fee. The office will take a new color photo and issue you a new license card. You do not have to wait for your license to expire to do this.
Are there any exceptions to the color photo rule for Texas licenses?
No. All Texas driver's licenses and state ID cards issued since 2000 use color photos. There are no exceptions based on age, license type, or other factors.