Texas driver license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last

A standard Texas driver license costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. If you are 85 or older, your license is free and lasts for two years. These are the base fees the Texas Department of Public Safety charges; if you go through a third-party vendor instead of a DPS office, you may pay an additional vendor fee on top of the state fee.

The cost also changes if you need a Real ID-compliant license (the kind required for federal buildings and domestic flights starting in 2025), a commercial driver license, or a license with special endorsements. Replacement licenses, renewals, and corrections to your existing license each have their own fees.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard four-year Texas driver license costs $16; an eight-year license costs $32.
  • Real ID licenses cost $32 for four years or $64 for eight years because they require extra verification steps.
  • Commercial driver licenses (CDL) cost $60 for four years or $120 for eight years, plus testing fees.
  • Renewing your license by mail or online costs the same as getting a new one, but replacing a lost or stolen license costs $11.
  • Third-party vendors charge the state fee plus their own vendor fee, which varies by location.

Standard driver license costs by term length

When you get your first Texas driver license or renew an expired one, you choose between a four-year and an eight-year license. The four-year license is $16. The eight-year license is $32. Both are valid for driving in Texas and all other states.

The eight-year license costs twice as much because you are paying for twice the validity period. If you plan to keep your license for a long time and do not expect your information to change, the eight-year option spreads the cost over more years. If you are not sure whether you will stay in Texas or think your address or name might change soon, the four-year license lets you renew sooner without paying for years you may not use.

Real ID licenses cost more because of extra security requirements

A Real ID-compliant driver license costs $32 for four years or $64 for eight years. This is double the cost of a standard license because Real ID requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to verify your identity documents more thoroughly. You will need to bring an original or certified birth certificate, passport, or similar document, plus proof of your Social Security number and proof of your current address.

Real ID licenses have a gold star in the upper right corner. Starting in May 2025, you will need a Real ID license, a passport, or another federally approved ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you do not have a Real ID license by then, you can still renew your standard license, but you will not be able to use it for those purposes. You can upgrade from a standard license to a Real ID license at any time by visiting a DPS office with the required documents.

Commercial driver license fees for professional drivers

A commercial driver license (CDL) costs $60 for four years or $120 for eight years. This is the license you need if you drive a truck, bus, or other commercial vehicle for work. The higher cost reflects the additional testing and medical certification required.

Before you can get a CDL, you must pass a written knowledge test and a skills test (driving test). The written test costs $10 and the skills test costs $130, so your total first-time cost is $60 (or $120 for eight years) plus $140 for testing. If you already have a CDL and are renewing it, you pay only the license fee unless your medical certification has expired.

Replacement and correction fees

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement costs $11. This is much cheaper than a new license because you are not paying for a new validity period — your replacement license expires on the same date as your original would have.

If you need to correct information on your license (such as fixing a misspelled name or updating your address), the fee depends on what you are changing. A name change costs $11. An address change is free if you do it online through the Texas DPS website or by mail. If you go to a DPS office in person to change your address, there is no fee. Corrections to other information may have different fees; check the Texas DPS website or call your local DPS office to confirm.

Renewal costs and methods

Renewing your license costs the same as getting a new one: $16 for four years or $32 for eight years for a standard license. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Online and mail renewals cost the same as in-person renewals, and you do not pay any additional processing fee.

You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead, which means you will need to pass the written test and vision test again. If your license expired between one and two years ago, you can still renew it, but you may need to visit a DPS office in person rather than renewing by mail or online.

Where you pay and whether vendor fees explore

You can get or renew your Texas driver license at any Texas Department of Public Safety office. You pay the state fee listed above at the DPS office, and there is no additional charge.

You can also use a third-party vendor, such as a tax assessor's office, county clerk's office, or private driver license service. These vendors charge the same state fee, but they also charge their own vendor fee on top of it. The vendor fee varies by location and vendor — it might be $5, $10, or more. Before you visit a vendor, call ahead or check their website to find out what their vendor fee is. If you want to avoid the extra charge, go directly to a DPS office instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for a Real ID license, or can I keep my standard license?

You do not have to upgrade to Real ID. You can keep renewing a standard license for $16 or $32. However, starting in May 2025, you will not be able to use a standard license to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you need to do those things, you will need to upgrade to Real ID or carry a passport instead.

What if I turn 85 while my license is still valid?

Your current license remains valid until it expires. When you renew it after turning 85, your new license will be free and valid for two years. You will still need to pass the vision and written tests at renewal time, just like anyone else.

Can I renew my license online if it has been expired for more than a year?

If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license and pass the written and vision tests. If it expired between one and two years ago, you may be able to renew online, but some people in this situation must renew in person at a DPS office. Check the Texas DPS website or call your local office to confirm whether you can renew online.

Is there a fee to change my address on my driver license?

No. Changing your address online or by mail is free. If you go to a DPS office in person to change your address, there is also no fee. You do not need to renew your license to change your address.

What happens if I lose my license right after I renew it?

A replacement costs $11, and your new license will have the same expiration date as the one you lost. You are not paying for a new validity period, only for the replacement card itself.