What you need to do to renew in Texas
Texas lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a DPS office. Mail and online are faster and cheaper than going in person — you pay no office fee and avoid the wait. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal costs the same but takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DPS office costs $16 or $32 plus a $10 office fee, and you will need to bring documents and sit for a new photo.
Your renewal method depends on whether your license is still valid and whether you have had a major life change since you got it. If your license expired more than two years ago, or if you have changed your name, address, or vision status, you must renew in person. If your license is current or expired less than two years ago, and nothing major has changed, you can use mail or online.
The online method is the fastest route if you are may be able to access. You go to the Texas DPS website, enter your driver's license number and personal details, review your information, pay the fee by credit or debit card, and your new license ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your old license until the new one arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website takes 10 minutes and costs $16 or $32, with your new license arriving in 7 to 10 business days.
- Mail renewal costs the same as online but takes two to three weeks, and you must read and print the process form from the DPS website.
- In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, or if you have changed your name, address, or vision status since your last renewal.
- You can drive on your expired license until your new one arrives, as long as you have proof that you have submitted a renewal request.
Renewing online through the Texas DPS website
Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website and look for the "Renew Your Driver License" option under the Driver License section. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The system will ask you to confirm your address and vision status. If your address has changed, update it before you pay.
After you review all your information, you will pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Once payment goes through, you will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email with the same number. Save this number — you may need it if you have questions about your order.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Standard mail takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need it faster, some DPS offices offer expedited mail for an extra fee, but you must request this in person or by phone before your renewal ships.
Renewing by mail in Texas
read the DL-44 form from the Texas DPS website. This is the official driver's license renewal process. Print it, fill in all fields in black or blue ink, and sign it. Do not use pencil. Include a check or money order for $16 (four-year license) or $32 (eight-year license) made payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety."
Mail your completed form, payment, and a copy of your current driver's license to the address listed on the DPS website — it varies by region, so check the form before you mail. Include a return envelope with your address and postage if you want the DPS to mail your old license back to you. Without a return envelope, the DPS keeps your old license.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DPS receives your packet. You can drive on your old license during this time. If your renewal does not arrive within four weeks, contact the DPS by phone or through their website to check the status.
When you must renew in person at a DPS office
You cannot use online or mail renewal if your license expired more than two years ago. You also cannot use those methods if you have changed your name since your last renewal, moved to a new address and want to update it on your license, or if your vision has changed significantly. The DPS requires an in-person visit and a new photo in these situations.
If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must renew in person. The same applies if you have a Real ID endorsement and need to renew it — though if your Real ID is still valid, you can renew your regular license online or by mail.
To renew in person, find your nearest DPS office on the Texas DPS website. Many offices let you schedule an appointment online, which cuts your wait time significantly. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within 90 days), and your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number. If you have changed your name, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
What to bring to a DPS office for in-person renewal
Bring your current driver's license as your primary form of identification. If your license is expired, bring an expired license plus one additional form of ID — a passport, military ID, or state ID card. Bring proof that you live at the address you want on your license: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days of your visit.
Bring your Social Security card if you have it. If you do not have the card itself, bring a document with your full Social Security number — a W-2, tax return, or Social Security statement. If you have changed your name, bring the legal document proving the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Bring payment for the renewal fee: $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, plus a $10 office fee. The DPS accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at most offices, but call ahead to confirm what your local office takes.
How long your new license lasts and when to renew again
A standard Texas driver's license is valid for four or eight years from the date of issue, depending on which term you choose at renewal. You can pick either length when you renew online or by mail. The eight-year license costs twice as much as the four-year license, but you renew less often. Most people choose the four-year option to keep costs down.
Your license expires on your birthday in the year it is set to expire. For example, if you renew in March and choose a four-year license, it will expire on your birthday four years later. The DPS will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires, but do not rely on this notice — it sometimes arrives late or gets lost in the mail.
You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. This is useful if you know you will be traveling or if you want to avoid the rush during your birthday month. If you renew early, your new license will still expire on your birthday in the expiration year, not one year from the renewal date.
What happens if your license expires before your new one arrives
If you have submitted an online or mail renewal request, you can legally drive on your expired license until your new license arrives. The DPS considers you to have a valid license from the moment your renewal is processed. Keep your confirmation number or receipt with you when you drive, in case you are stopped by police. Show them the confirmation number and explain that your new license is in the mail.
If you are pulled over and cannot show proof of a pending renewal, you may receive a citation for driving with an expired license. The citation is usually dismissed once you show the officer or the court that you had submitted a renewal before the stop. To avoid this situation, print your confirmation email or take a screenshot of it and keep it in your car.
If your new license does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the Texas DPS when ready. Call the DPS customer service line or use the online status check on their website. Provide your confirmation number. The DPS can reissue your license or investigate whether it was lost in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked license?
No. You must clear the suspension or revocation before you can renew. Contact the Texas DPS or the court that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew through any method you are otherwise may be able to access for.
Do I need a Real ID to renew my driver's license?
No. A standard driver's license and a Real ID are separate. You can renew your standard license without getting a Real ID. If you want to add a Real ID endorsement, you must do that in person at a DPS office and bring additional documents like a passport or birth certificate.
What if my address changed but I do not want to update it on my license?
You can renew online or by mail without updating your address, as long as your license has not expired more than two years ago. Your new license will show your old address. You can update your address later by visiting a DPS office in person or by mail using the DL-43 form.
Can someone else pick up my new license from the DPS office?
No. The DPS mails all renewed licenses directly to the address on file. You cannot pick up a renewed license at an office. If you need your license faster than standard mail, ask about expedited shipping options when you renew in person.
What if I lost my driver's license and need to renew it?
You cannot renew a lost license online or by mail. You must visit a DPS office in person and report the loss. Bring your Social Security card or a document with your number, proof of residency, and a second form of ID. The DPS will issue a replacement license on the spot.