You must renew your Texas driver's license before it expires, or you cannot legally drive

Your Texas driver's license has an expiration date printed on the front. Once that date passes, the license is no longer valid for driving, and you risk a traffic citation if you are stopped. Texas does not give you a grace period — the day after expiration, you are driving without a current license.

The state offers renewal by mail, online, or in person at a DPS office, depending on your situation. Most people can renew without taking a new photo or retaking the written test, which makes the process faster than your original license. The method you use depends on how much time you have before expiration and whether your license qualifies for the faster routes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Texas driver's license expires on the date printed on the front, and you cannot legally drive after that date.
  • You can renew online if your license is not expired yet, you have a valid Social Security number on file, and you have not renewed online in the past two years.
  • Mail renewal takes about two weeks and works if your license is not expired and you do not need a new photo or address change.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license is already expired, you need a new photo, or you are changing your address or name.
  • Texas driver's licenses are valid for six years, so you renew less often than in many other states.

How to check your license expiration date

Open your wallet and look at the front of your license. The expiration date is printed in the lower right corner. It reads as a month and year — for example, 06/28 means June 2028. If today's date is past that month and year, your license is expired.

You can also check the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website by entering your license number and date of birth. This confirms the expiration date in the state system and tells you whether your license is currently valid.

Online renewal: the fastest route if your license is still valid

If your license has not yet expired, you can renew online through the Texas DPS website. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a six-year renewal. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a debit or credit card to pay the fee.

Online renewal has limits. You cannot use it if your license is already expired, if you need to change your address or legal name, if you want a new photo, or if you have renewed online within the past two years. If any of these explore to you, you must use mail or in-person renewal instead.

After you complete the online renewal, the DPS mails your new license to the address on file. Delivery usually takes one to two weeks. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue driving legally during that time.

Mail renewal: a slower option for straightforward cases

You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and you do not need to change your address, legal name, or photo. The DPS sends you a renewal process by mail if you request one, or you can read the form from the Texas DPS website (form DL-44).

Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $16, and mail it to the address listed on the form. The DPS processes mail renewals in the order received, which typically takes two to three weeks. During this time, your old license remains valid for driving.

Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but works well if you prefer not to use the internet or if you are renewing well before your expiration date and have time to wait.

In-person renewal at a DPS office: required for expired licenses and photo changes

You must renew in person at a DPS office if your license is already expired, if you need a new photo, if you are changing your address or legal name, or if you are renewing a license issued to someone under 18. You will need to bring your current or expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2).

Visit the Texas DPS website to find the office nearest you and check its hours. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to schedule an appointment online. Processing times vary by location but typically take 15 to 45 minutes once you are called. You pay $16 for a six-year renewal at the counter.

You receive your new license on the spot if you pass the vision test and your information is correct. If the DPS needs to verify anything, they may mail the license to you instead, which takes one to two weeks.

What happens if your license is already expired

Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive, even if you are in the middle of renewing. You must complete the renewal process before you get behind the wheel again. If you are stopped by police while driving an expired license, you can receive a citation.

The good news is that the DPS does not penalize you for renewing late — there is no extra fee or waiting period. You straightforward go through the standard renewal process. However, you must renew in person at a DPS office rather than by mail or online, because the state requires a new photo and verification of your identity when your license has expired.

Renewal fees and what they cover

A standard six-year renewal costs $16 in Texas, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. This fee covers the new license card and the state's processing of your renewal. There are no additional hidden fees.

If you need to change your address or legal name during renewal, the fee remains $16 — the address or name change does not cost extra. If you are renewing a license that was issued to you as a minor and you are now an adult, you also pay $16 for the standard renewal.

Some DPS offices accept cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Online renewal requires a debit or credit card. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. Confirm the payment methods accepted at your local office before you visit.

How long Texas driver's licenses are valid

A standard Texas driver's license is valid for six years from the date of issue. This is longer than many other states, which means you renew less often. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license, and the DPS sends you a renewal notice by mail about 60 days before that date.

If you received your license as a minor (under 18), it may have been issued for a shorter period. Check the expiration date on your license to be sure. Once you turn 18, you can renew for the full six-year term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires while I am waiting for the new one to arrive?

If you renewed online or by mail before your license expired, yes — your old license remains valid until the new one arrives. You can continue driving legally. If your license has already expired, you cannot drive until you receive the new license, even if you are in the middle of the renewal process.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it?

A lost license is a replacement, not a renewal, and the process is different. You must visit a DPS office in person with proof of identity and residency. The DPS will issue you a new license on the spot. Contact your local DPS office or visit the Texas DPS website for the specific documents you need to bring.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?

Not necessarily. If you renew online or by mail, the DPS uses your existing photo from your current license. If you renew in person at a DPS office, you will have a new photo taken as part of the process. If you want a new photo but are renewing online or by mail, you must renew in person instead.

What if my address changed since I got my license?

You can update your address during renewal. If you are renewing online, you cannot change your address — you must renew by mail or in person. In-person renewal is the fastest way to update your address and receive your new license the same day.

How will I know when my license is about to expire?

The Texas DPS mails a renewal notice to the address on file about 60 days before your expiration date. If you do not receive a notice, check the expiration date on your license itself or log into the Texas DPS website with your license number and date of birth.