Where to renew your license in Garland

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) operates the only office in Garland where you can renew your driver's license in person. It is located at 411 West Avenue D, Garland, TX 75040. This is a full-service DPS office, meaning you can handle standard renewals, replacements, and most other license transactions there without being sent elsewhere.

You can also renew by mail or online without visiting the office, depending on your situation. The online option is the fastest route if you are may be able to access, and the mail option works if you prefer not to go in person and do not need your new license urgently.

Key Takeaways

  • The DPS office at 411 West Avenue D in Garland is open Monday through Friday, and you can renew in person without an appointment, though wait times vary by time of day.
  • Online renewal through the Texas DPS website takes about 7 to 10 business days and costs less than in-person renewal if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address or name.
  • Mail renewal is an option if your license is not more than two years expired, and you will need to include your current license, a completed form, and payment.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to renew in person.
  • Standard renewal costs $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license in Texas, and the Garland DPS office accepts cash, check, and card.

What documents you need to bring

For in-person renewal at the Garland DPS office, you need three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN. Your current driver's license counts as proof of identity. If your license is expired, bring an expired license plus one additional form of ID such as a passport, military ID, or state ID card.

Proof of Texas residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A phone bill or insurance statement also works. Bring the original document or a certified copy—a photo of the document on your phone will not be accepted.

You do not need to bring your Social Security card itself. The staff will ask you to provide your number verbally or on the process form, and they will verify it through the Social Security Administration's database.

Renewing online through the Texas DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is not expired, you have not changed your address or legal name, and you do not need a new photo. Go to the Texas DPS website, select "Online Services," and follow the prompts to renew. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method.

The process takes about 10 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. The cost is $33 for a four-year license. This option is cheaper than in-person renewal because you avoid the $2 to $3 processing fee that the Garland office charges.

If your license is expired, you cannot renew online. If you have moved or changed your name, you must renew in person or by mail and provide the supporting documents.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal works if your license is not more than two years expired. You will need to complete form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), include your current license, and send both along with payment to the address provided on the form. The Texas DPS website has the current mailing address and the form itself.

Processing by mail takes 15 to 20 business days from the date the DPS receives your envelope. There is no way to track your process once it is in the mail, so plan ahead if you need your license by a specific date. The cost is the same as in-person renewal: $33 for four years or $66 for eight years.

If your license is more than two years expired, you cannot renew by mail and must renew in person at the Garland office or another DPS location.

Hours and wait times at the Garland DPS office

The DPS office at 411 West Avenue D is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. It is closed on weekends and Texas state holidays. You do not need an appointment; renewals are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wait times vary. Early morning (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and late afternoon (3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) are usually quieter than midday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be less crowded than Mondays or Fridays. If you go during lunch hour or mid-morning, expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour.

You can call the Garland office at (469) 326-7800 to ask about current wait times before you go, though staff may not always be able to give a precise estimate.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license is expired by less than two years, you can renew by mail or in person. If it is expired by more than two years, you must renew in person at the Garland DPS office and will need to take a new photo and pass a vision test. You may also be required to retake the written driving test, depending on how long it has been expired and your age.

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have a renewal process pending. If you are stopped by police, you can show proof that you have submitted a renewal process (such as a receipt from the DPS office or a confirmation email from online renewal), and this may help, but it does not may provide you will not be cited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have moved out of Garland but still live in Texas?

Yes. You can renew online if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address. If you have moved, you must renew in person or by mail and bring proof of your new Texas address. You can renew at any DPS office in Texas, not just Garland.

What if I need my new license before the mail takes 15 to 20 days?

Renew in person at the Garland DPS office. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your plastic license is being printed and mailed. The plastic license usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Do I need a new photo for renewal?

Not if you renew online or by mail. The DPS will use your existing photo from your current license. If you renew in person, the office will take a new photo as part of the process.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

You must renew in person or by mail and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Online renewal is not an option when your legal name has changed.

Can I renew if my Social Security number is not on file with the DPS?

Yes. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring documentation of your ITIN when you renew in person, or provide it when you renew by mail or online.