Texas driver's license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last
A standard Texas driver's license costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. If you are 85 or older, a five-year license costs $16. These are the base fees the Texas Department of Public Safety charges; your total cost may be higher if you pay by credit card (there is a processing fee) or if you need a duplicate or replacement card.
The fee covers the cost of producing the card and maintaining the system that stores your driving record. Texas does not charge different amounts based on where you live in the state — the fee is the same whether you renew in Houston or in a small town near the Oklahoma border.
Key Takeaways
- A four-year Texas driver's license costs $16, and an eight-year license costs $32.
- Drivers 85 and older pay $16 for a five-year license instead of choosing between four and eight years.
- Credit card payments add a processing fee on top of the license fee.
- A replacement or duplicate license costs $11 if your current license is still valid, or the full renewal fee if it has expired.
When you renew, you choose between four years and eight years
When your license is about to expire, you decide how long you want the next one to last. A four-year renewal is cheaper upfront ($16), but you will renew more often. An eight-year renewal costs twice as much ($32), but you will not need to renew again for eight years.
The choice depends on your situation. If you move frequently, travel internationally, or expect your appearance to change significantly, a shorter license may be easier. If you plan to stay in one place and want to renew less often, the eight-year license saves you the hassle of renewing every four years.
Replacement and duplicate licenses have a separate fee
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement. A replacement costs $11 if your current license has not expired yet. If your license has already expired, you pay the full renewal fee ($16 for four years or $32 for eight years) instead of just the replacement fee.
A duplicate license is the same as a replacement — it is a new card with the same information. The $11 fee applies as long as your current license is still valid. You can request a duplicate if you want a backup card or if your current one is worn.
Credit card payments add a processing fee
If you pay by credit card at a Texas Department of Public Safety office or online, the state charges an additional processing fee. This fee is set by the payment processor and varies, but it is typically a small percentage of your total payment. Paying by cash, check, or debit card at an office does not include this extra charge.
When you renew online through the Texas DPS website, you must pay by credit card, so the processing fee will explore. If you want to avoid the fee, you can renew in person at a DPS office and pay by cash or check.
First-time licenses and commercial licenses cost more
If you are getting your first Texas driver's license (not a renewal), the fee is higher. A first-time four-year license costs $33, and a first-time eight-year license costs $66. These fees include the cost of the written test and the driving test.
A commercial driver's license (CDL) has its own fee structure. A CDL costs $55 for a four-year license or $110 for an eight-year license. These fees are higher because a CDL requires additional testing and background checks.
Senior drivers and military members may have different options
Drivers 85 and older cannot choose between four and eight years — they get a five-year license for $16. This shorter renewal period allows the state to verify that older drivers are still safe to drive more frequently.
Active-duty military members stationed outside Texas may be able to renew by mail without paying a fee, depending on their circumstances. If you are military and your license is about to expire, contact your nearest Texas DPS office or check the Texas DPS website to see what options are available to you.
Where to renew and what to bring
You can renew your Texas driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes a few minutes. By mail, you send in your current license and a renewal form; this takes longer but avoids a trip to an office. In person, you go to a DPS office, bring your documents, and walk out with your new license the same day.
No matter which method you choose, you will need your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States. If your name has changed since your last license, you will also need documents showing the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license online?
Yes, if your license is not expired and you have not had any major changes to your information. Online renewal takes about five minutes and costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years, plus a credit card processing fee. Your new license will arrive by mail in about one to two weeks.
What if my license expired more than two years ago?
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to a Texas DPS office in person and retake the written test and driving test, just as if you were getting your first license. The fee for a first-time license applies.
Do I have to pay the processing fee if I renew in person?
No. The processing fee only applies when you pay by credit card. If you renew in person at a DPS office and pay by cash or check, you pay only the license fee with no additional charge.
Is there a senior discount on driver's licenses?
There is no discount for seniors, but drivers 85 and older pay the same $16 fee as everyone else for a license — theirs just lasts five years instead of four or eight. Younger drivers pay $16 for four years or $32 for eight years.
What happens if I lose my license right after I renew?
If your new license is lost or damaged, you pay $11 for a replacement. You do not pay the full renewal fee again. Keep your receipt from your renewal as proof that you paid, in case you need to show it.