Texas driver's licenses are valid for six or eight years, depending on your age
A standard Texas driver's license lasts six years if you are under 85 years old. If you are 85 or older, your license lasts two years instead. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) follow different rules and expire every five years, regardless of age.
The expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the bottom right corner. Texas counts the expiration date as the last day you can legally drive with that license — you cannot drive on the day after it expires, even if you are in the middle of a trip.
Your license becomes invalid at midnight on the expiration date. If you are stopped by law enforcement after that point, you are driving with an expired license, which carries a fine and can result in other penalties depending on how long it has been expired.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Texas driver's licenses expire six years from the date of issue for people under 85, and two years for people 85 and older.
- Your expiration date appears on the front of your license in the bottom right corner, and you cannot legally drive after that date.
- You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the last moment.
- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) handles all renewals, either online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may need to retake the written and driving tests instead of straightforward renewing.
When to start the renewal process
You can renew your Texas license up to one year before it expires. This means if your license expires on March 15, 2025, you can begin the renewal process on March 15, 2024. Starting early gives you time to handle any complications without rushing.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recommends renewing at least 30 days before your expiration date. This window accounts for mail delays if you renew by post, or unexpected issues if you renew online or in person. If you wait until the last week, you risk running out of time.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew it as long as it has been expired for less than two years. Once it has been expired for two years or longer, you must explore for a new license instead, which includes retaking the written test and the driving test.
Renewing online through the Texas DPS website
Online renewal is the fastest option and is open to most drivers. You can renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not had any address changes since your last renewal, and your license has not been expired for more than two years.
Go to the Texas DPS website and select the online renewal option. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The fee is $25 for a six-year renewal or $10 for a two-year renewal if you are 85 or older. You will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal does not require you to visit an office or provide new documents. However, if you need to update your address, change your name, or add an organ donor designation, you cannot do these through the online system and must renew in person instead.
Renewing by mail through the Texas DPS
Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal but requires no office visit. You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked and has not been expired for more than two years.
Contact the Texas DPS to request a renewal process by mail, or read the form from their website. Fill out the form completely and mail it to the address provided with your payment. The fee is the same as online renewal: $25 for six years or $10 for two years. Processing takes 15 to 20 business days after the DPS receives your process, plus mail time in both directions.
Mail renewal is slower than other methods, so plan ahead if you need your new license by a specific date. If you make a mistake on the form, the DPS will send it back to you, which adds another round of mail time.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
In-person renewal is required if you need to update your address, change your name, add or remove an organ donor designation, or if your license has been expired for more than two years. You can also choose in-person renewal even if you are not required to.
Visit a DPS driver's license office in your county. Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. The fee is $25 for six years or $10 for two years.
Wait times at DPS offices vary by location and time of day. Many offices allow you to check in online before you arrive, which can reduce your wait. Processing at the office is usually when ready, and you will receive a temporary paper license to drive with while your new license is mailed to you.
What happens if your license expires while you are out of state
Your Texas license is only valid in Texas and other states that recognize it under reciprocal agreements. If you are living or working in another state, you should obtain a license in that state instead of continuing to drive on an expired Texas license.
If you are temporarily out of state when your license expires, you can still renew it online or by mail from anywhere. However, if you are stopped by law enforcement in another state while driving on an expired Texas license, that state's laws explore, and you may face penalties even if your license is technically renewable.
If you have moved to another state permanently, you should obtain a license in your new state. Driving on an out-of-state license after you have established residency in a new state is illegal in most states.
Renewing after your license has been expired for more than two years
If your Texas license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot straightforward renew it. Instead, you must explore for a new license, which means you will need to retake the written test and the driving test.
Visit a DPS driver's license office in person with your proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You will take the written test first, covering Texas traffic laws and road signs. If you pass, you will schedule a driving test appointment, which may be on the same day or a later date depending on office availability.
The fee for a new license is $25 for six years or $10 for two years. Bring your current expired license to the office, even though it is no longer valid. The entire process from process to receiving your new license in the mail typically takes two to four weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license expires while I am waiting for my renewal to arrive?
If you renew in person at a DPS office, you receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid while you wait for your new license to arrive by mail. If you renew online or by mail, you cannot legally drive after your license expires, even if your renewal is in process. This is why in-person renewal is recommended if your expiration date is very close.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?
You must report your license as lost to the DPS before you can renew it. Visit a DPS office in person with your proof of identity and residency. The DPS will cancel your lost license and issue a replacement. You can renew at the same time, and the fee covers both the replacement and the renewal.
Do I need a new photo if I renew my license?
If you renew online or by mail, your photo stays the same. If you renew in person at a DPS office, the DPS will take a new photo for your license. You cannot bring your own photo or use an old one.
What if my address changed since my last license?
You must renew in person at a DPS office if your address has changed. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. Online and mail renewal do not allow address changes.
How much does it cost to renew a Texas driver's license?
A standard six-year renewal costs $25. If you are 85 or older and renewing for two years, the cost is $10. These fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. There are no additional fees for standard renewals.