How to Get or Renew Your Driver License in McAllen, Texas

Where to go for your driver license in McAllen

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) runs the driver license system in McAllen. You will go to a DPS Driver License office to get a new license, renew an expiring one, or replace a lost or damaged license. McAllen has one main office located at 1900 South 10th Street, McAllen, TX 78501.

You can also visit other DPS offices in the Rio Grande Valley if the McAllen location is inconvenient — there are offices in Edinburg, Pharr, and Mission. All of them handle the same services and accept the same documents. The McAllen office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on state holidays.

Before you go, check the current wait times on the Texas DPS website or call the McAllen office at (956) 618-8724. Wait times can vary widely depending on the day and time, so calling ahead helps you plan.

Key Takeaways

The Texas DPS Driver License office in McAllen is at 1900 South 10th Street and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You will need a Social Security number, proof of residency (like a utility bill or lease), and a document proving your identity and date of birth (like a birth certificate or passport).
A new driver license costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license; renewals cost the same amount.
You can renew by mail or online if your license is not suspended and you have not had a name change, but most people renew in person at the office.
Bring your current license if you have one, and expect the process to take 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is.

Documents you need to bring

Texas requires three categories of documents: proof of identity and date of birth, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. You do not need all three from each category — one document from each is enough.

For identity and date of birth, bring your birth certificate, passport, or a military ID. If you do not have any of those, a school ID or employee ID with your photo and date of birth will work. For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current McAllen address on it. The residency document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you are renewing and your name has not changed, you can skip the identity documents and bring only your current license plus proof of residency. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — along with your identity documents.

The cost and how long it takes

A new four-year driver license costs $16. An eight-year license costs $32. Renewals cost the same amount. You pay at the office when you finish your transaction — they do not take payment in advance.

The office will take your photo and fingerprints on the spot. Your license will be mailed to the address you provide within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license that day, which you can use to drive while you wait for the plastic card to arrive.

The time you spend in the office usually ranges from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how many people are ahead of you. Arriving early in the morning or on a Tuesday or Wednesday tends to mean shorter waits than Friday afternoons.

Renewing by mail or online instead of in person

If your license is not suspended and your name has not changed, you can renew without going to the office. Texas allows mail renewal if your license is not expired by more than two years, and online renewal if your license expired less than two years ago.

To renew by mail, read the DL-44 form from the Texas DPS website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. To renew online, go to the Texas DPS website, create an account, and follow the steps. Online renewal is faster — your license will arrive in 7 to 10 days instead of two to three weeks.

You cannot renew online or by mail if you have a commercial driver license (CDL), if your license was suspended or revoked, if you changed your name, or if you want to change your address. In those cases, you must go to the office in person.

What to do if your license is lost or damaged

If your license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, go to the DPS office with your proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency. Tell the staff member you need a replacement. You will pay the same fee as a renewal ($16 for four years or $32 for eight years) and receive a temporary paper license that day.

If your license was stolen, you may want to report it to the McAllen Police Department or Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office so it is on record. This protects you if someone tries to use it fraudulently. Bring the police report number to the DPS office if you have one — it is not required, but it helps document what happened.

Getting a REAL ID compliant license

A standard Texas driver license is not REAL ID compliant, which means you cannot use it to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. If you need to fly or enter federal facilities, you must get a REAL ID license instead.

A REAL ID license looks the same as a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner. It costs the same ($16 for four years or $32 for eight years) and requires the same documents, plus one additional document proving your residency — you need two residency documents total instead of one.

When you go to the DPS office, tell the staff member you want a REAL ID license. They will add the second residency requirement to your process. The process is otherwise identical, and your license will arrive in the same 7 to 10 days.

Changing your address or name on your license

If you moved to a new address in McAllen or elsewhere in Texas, you must update your license. You can do this in person at the DPS office or online through the Texas DPS website if your license is not expired. Go to the office with your current license and proof of your new residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days). The staff will update your address and issue a new license for $16 or $32 depending on how many years you want.

If your name changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must go to the office in person. Bring your current license, proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, and the document proving your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The fee is the same as a renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an appointment at the DPS office in McAllen?

Texas DPS does not offer appointments for driver license services. You go in during business hours and wait your turn. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means a shorter wait than afternoons or Fridays.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You cannot get a Texas driver license without a Social Security number. If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, you may be able to get a Texas ID card instead, which serves as state identification but is not a driver license. Go to the DPS office with your documents to learn what options are available to you.

How long is a Texas driver license good for?

A standard driver license is good for four or eight years, depending on which one you choose when you get it. You pick the length when you explore, and it costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years. REAL ID licenses are also available in four or eight year terms at the same cost.

What if my license expired more than two years ago?

You cannot renew by mail or online if your license expired more than two years ago. You must go to the DPS office in person and explore for a new license. Bring the same documents you would bring for a first-time process: proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency.

Can I get a duplicate license mailed to a different address?

Your license is mailed to the address you provide at the office, which is usually your current residence. If you want it mailed somewhere else, tell the staff member before you finish your transaction. They can update the mailing address in the system.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.