Texas driver license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last
A standard five-year Texas driver license costs $25. If you want a license valid for eight years, you pay $40. A commercial driver license (CDL) costs $75 for five years or $120 for eight years. These are the base fees charged by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). If you renew by mail or online, there are no additional processing fees beyond the license fee itself.
First-time applicants and people renewing after their license has expired pay the same fee as someone renewing before expiration. The cost does not change based on your age, driving record, or how many times you have renewed before. If you need a duplicate license because yours was lost or stolen, you pay $11.
Some people may have access to for a reduced fee. Texas residents age 85 and older pay no fee for a five-year license. Military members on active duty can renew for free if they do so within one year of their discharge date. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can request a waiver of the written test fee, but the license fee itself still applies.
Key Takeaways
- A standard five-year Texas driver license costs $25; an eight-year license costs $40.
- Commercial driver licenses cost $75 for five years or $120 for eight years.
- Renewing online or by mail costs the same as renewing in person — there are no extra fees.
- Texas residents age 85 and older do not pay a fee for a five-year license.
- A duplicate license for a lost or stolen card costs $11.
How to renew your license and what the timeline costs
You can renew a Texas driver license online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Online renewal is the fastest and most common route. You go to the Texas DPS website, enter your license number and personal information, pay the $25 or $40 fee by credit or debit card, and your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. There is no extra charge for online renewal.
Renewing by mail takes longer but works the same way cost-wise. You fill out Form DL-44, include a check or money order for the fee, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes 15 to 20 business days from the date DPS receives your process. Mail renewal is useful if you do not have a credit card or prefer not to use one online.
Renewing in person at a DPS office is the slowest option for most people because you have to schedule an appointment and travel to a location. The fee is the same, but you walk out with a temporary paper license that day and receive your plastic card by mail within 7 to 10 days. In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you have changed your name, or if you need to update your address and cannot do so online.
When you need to pay extra for a new photo or address change
If your license is not expired and you only need to change your address, you can do that online for free through the Texas DPS website. No new photo is taken, and no fee is charged. This is the cheapest option if your address has changed.
If you want a new photo on your current license before it expires, you must renew early. Early renewal costs the same as a regular renewal — $25 or $40 depending on the term you choose — but you lose the remaining time on your old license. For example, if your license does not expire for three more years and you renew now, you get a new five-year or eight-year license, but the three years left on the old one are gone. Many people wait until their license is close to expiration rather than pay to renew early just for a new photo.
If you change your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person and bring the document that proves the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The renewal fee is the same, but you cannot do it online or by mail.
What happens if your license expires and you need to renew late
If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can renew online or by mail using the same process and paying the same fee. No penalty is added, and you do not have to take the written or driving test again.
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a DPS office. You will have to take the written test and the driving test again. The renewal fee is still $25 or $40, but you should budget time for the appointment and the tests. Some people also choose to take a defensive driving course before the test, though that is optional and costs extra (usually $25 to $50 depending on the provider).
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have applied to renew. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited. Renewing before your license expires avoids this risk and is simpler than renewing after expiration.
Fees for special license types and endorsements
A commercial driver license (CDL) costs $75 for five years or $120 for eight years. This is higher than a standard license because it requires additional testing and background checks. If you already have a CDL and want to add an endorsement — such as a hazmat endorsement or a passenger endorsement — the fee for adding it is $20. Renewing a CDL with an existing endorsement costs the same as renewing without one.
A motorcycle endorsement on a standard driver license costs $20 to add. If you are renewing your license and want to add a motorcycle endorsement at the same time, you pay the license renewal fee plus the $20 endorsement fee. You must pass a motorcycle-specific riding test to add this endorsement.
A Class M license (motorcycle-only license) costs $25 for five years or $40 for eight years, the same as a standard driver license. The difference is that it does not allow you to drive a car — only a motorcycle.
Payment methods and where your money goes
Texas DPS accepts credit cards, debit cards, and checks or money orders depending on how you renew. Online renewal requires a credit or debit card. Mail renewal accepts checks or money orders made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. In-person renewal at a DPS office accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
The fee you pay goes to the Texas Department of Public Safety to cover the cost of producing the license, processing applications, and maintaining the licensing system. A portion of the fee also goes to the Texas Highway Fund, which supports road maintenance and safety programs. These are state funds, not federal funds, and the money stays within Texas.
If you pay by check or money order and the payment bounces or is rejected, DPS will contact you to collect the fee. Your license will not be issued until payment clears. If you pay online and your card is declined, you will be notified when ready and can try again with a different card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I renew my license and then decide I do not want it?
No. Once you have paid the renewal fee and your new license has been issued, the fee is not refundable. If you change your mind before your new license arrives, contact the Texas DPS when ready to see if they can stop the order, but refunds are not standard. It is best to be certain before you submit your renewal.
Do I have to pay the full fee if I renew my license a few months before it expires?
Yes. Early renewal costs the same as renewing on schedule. You do not get a discount for renewing early, and the time remaining on your old license is forfeited. Most people wait until their license is within a few months of expiration to avoid paying for unused time.
What if I lose my license after I have paid to renew it but before it arrives?
Contact the Texas DPS to report the loss. They can reissue your new license at no extra charge if it has not yet been delivered. If your new license has already been delivered and then lost, you pay $11 for a duplicate. Keep your renewal confirmation email or receipt in case you need to prove you paid.
Are there any discounts for renewing multiple licenses at once, like for a family?
No. Each license is charged the full fee. If you are renewing licenses for yourself and your children, you pay the full amount for each one. There are no family discounts or bulk rates.
Does my military service affect what I pay for a Texas driver license?
Active-duty military members can renew for free if they do so within one year of discharge. Otherwise, military service does not reduce the license fee. You must provide proof of discharge (a DD Form 214 or similar document) to receive the free renewal.