Yes, you can renew your Texas driver's license, and most people can do it by mail or online without visiting a DPS office
Texas allows you to renew your driver's license through three routes: online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Which route you can use depends on how long your license has been expired, whether you've had any address changes, and what type of license you hold. Most renewals take 7 to 10 business days by mail and are processed the same day online.
You cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to change your address, if you're renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), or if you're under 18. In those cases, you must go to a DPS office in person. If your license expired fewer than two years ago and nothing about your information has changed, you can skip the office visit entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes minutes and costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, with no office visit required.
- Mail renewal requires the renewal notice DPS sent you, takes 7 to 10 business days, and costs the same as online.
- You cannot renew by mail or online if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to change your address, or if you hold a commercial license.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office is required for address changes, expired licenses over two years old, and anyone under 18.
- You will need your Social Security number, current license number, and a valid payment method (online) or check or money order (mail).
Renewing online through the DPS website
Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the main menu. You'll be asked to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you're may be able to access for online renewal.
If you're may be able to access, you'll review your current information on screen. Do not proceed if any detail is wrong — address, name, or date of birth — because online renewal locks in what's displayed. If something needs to change, close out and renew in person instead. Once you confirm everything is correct, you'll pay the renewal fee with a debit or credit card. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal is the fastest option and works 24 hours a day. You do not need to print anything or visit an office. The only catch is that you must be renewing a non-commercial license that expired fewer than two years ago.
Renewing by mail with your renewal notice
If you received a renewal notice in the mail from DPS, you can renew by mail without going online. The notice will have a barcode and instructions specific to your renewal. Fill out the form on the back of the notice, sign it, and include a check or money order for the renewal fee payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety."
Mail the completed notice, your payment, and your current driver's license to the address printed on the notice. Do not mail your license unless the notice specifically asks for it — most renewals do not require you to send it in. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date DPS receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive separately by mail.
Mail renewal works only if you received a renewal notice, your license expired fewer than two years ago, and your address has not changed. If you did not receive a notice or your address is different now, you'll need to renew online or in person.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
Visit any DPS Driver License office in Texas. You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Bring your current driver's license, proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address if it has changed since your last renewal (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days).
Tell the clerk you're renewing your license. They will take a new photo, verify your information, collect the renewal fee in cash or card, and issue you a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you're changing your address, if you're under 18, or if you hold a commercial license.
Check the DPS website for office hours and locations near you. Some offices close for lunch or have limited hours on certain days. Going early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter waits than afternoons or Fridays.
What happens if your license is expired more than two years
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if getting a new license for the first time. This means you'll need to pass the written knowledge test and the driving test, not just pay a renewal fee. You'll also need to provide proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Texas residency, just as a new applicant would.
Schedule a DPS appointment online or call your local office to book a test date. Bring study materials for the written test — the DPS website has free practice tests. The entire process takes longer than a standard renewal and costs more because you're paying for testing, not just a license reissue.
Renewal fees and how long your new license lasts
A four-year driver's license costs $16. An eight-year license costs $32. You choose which length you want when you renew online or in person; by mail, the length is printed on your renewal notice. The eight-year license is usually the better value if you plan to keep driving in Texas for that long.
Your new license is valid for the full term you choose, starting from the date it's issued. You do not have to wait for it to arrive in the mail to start using it — your temporary paper license (if you renewed in person) or your old license (if you renewed online or by mail) is valid until your new one arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I've moved to a different address?
No, you cannot renew online or by mail if your address has changed. You must go to a DPS office in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 90 days. The office will update your address and issue your new license.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online or in person without the notice. Online renewal requires only your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you prefer to renew by mail, call DPS to request a replacement notice, or visit an office in person.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
By mail or online, your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license arrives by mail within the same timeframe. Your temporary license is valid for driving until the permanent one shows up.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license online or by mail?
No, commercial licenses must be renewed in person at a DPS office. You'll need to pass a medical examination and may need to pass the written test again, depending on your license class and how long it's been since your last renewal.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your name is different now. You must visit a DPS office in person and bring legal proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will update your name and issue your new license.