Texas driver's licenses renew every 8 years, and you can renew in person, by mail, or online depending on your situation
Texas issues driver's licenses valid for eight years from the date of issuance. When your license approaches expiration, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before the expiration date. You have three main paths to renew: online through the DPS website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a DPS driver license office. Which route you can use depends on your age, whether your license is still valid, and how much time you have before expiration.
You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you are under 18, if you have certain medical conditions on file, or if you have had a name change since your last renewal. Mail renewal is available only to Texas residents who are 18 or older and whose licenses are not expired or expired less than two years. If neither online nor mail works for you, you will need to visit a driver license office in person.
Key Takeaways
- Texas driver's licenses last eight years, and DPS mails a renewal notice about 60 days before yours expires.
- Online renewal through the DPS website is the fastest option if your license is still valid or expired less than two years and you are 18 or older.
- Mail renewal requires the renewal notice DPS sends you, a check or money order, and takes two to three weeks from the time DPS receives your materials.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office requires a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and your Social Security number, and you can often get your new license the same day.
- If your license has been expired more than two years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
Online renewal through the DPS website
Online renewal is available at the Texas DPS website and is the quickest option if you meet the requirements. You must be 18 or older, your license must not be expired or expired less than two years, and you cannot have a medical condition or name change on file. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).
The process takes about 10 minutes. You log in, review your information, pay the renewal fee (which varies depending on whether you renew for four or eight years), and submit. DPS will mail your new license to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license has not yet expired.
If the online system tells you that you cannot renew online, it will usually tell you why. Common reasons include an expired license that has been expired more than two years, a pending name change, or a medical condition flagged in the system. In those cases, you will need to use mail or in-person renewal.
Mail renewal using the DPS renewal notice
If you received the renewal notice from DPS in the mail, you can renew by mail if your license is not expired or expired less than two years. You will need the renewal notice itself, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a completed DL-43 form (the renewal process). The DL-43 is available on the DPS website or may be included with your renewal notice.
Mail your materials to the address listed on the renewal notice. Do not send cash. Include a copy of a valid form of identification and proof of Texas residency if your address has changed since your last renewal. DPS typically processes mail renewals within two to three weeks of receiving them, though processing times can be longer during busy periods.
You can drive on your current license while your renewal is being processed. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided on the process. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the DPS to check the status of your renewal.
In-person renewal at a DPS driver license office
In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired more than two years, if you are under 18, if you have a name change, or if you have a medical condition on file. You will need to visit a DPS driver license office in your county. Bring a valid form of identification (such as a passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate), proof of Texas residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
At the office, you will complete the DL-43 process, pay the renewal fee, have your photo taken, and pass a vision screening. If your license has been expired more than two years, you may also be required to retake the written knowledge test. Processing usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license to drive on while your permanent license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
Wait times at DPS offices vary by location and time of day. Many offices allow you to check wait times online or make an appointment through the DPS website. Arriving early in the day or on weekdays typically means shorter waits than afternoons or weekends.
What identification and documents you need
For any renewal method, you will need to provide your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you are renewing in person, bring an original or certified copy of a document proving your identity and citizenship, such as a U.S. passport, military ID, certified birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. A photocopy is not acceptable for identity documents.
If your address has changed since your last renewal, you will also need proof of your current Texas residency. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your name and address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you are renewing by mail and your address has not changed, you do not need to send proof of residency.
If your name has changed since your last renewal (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document showing the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Renewal fees and payment methods
Texas driver's license renewal fees depend on how long you want your new license to be valid. A four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. The exact fee amounts are set by state law and do not change often, but you can find the current fees on the DPS website.
For online renewal, you can pay with a debit or credit card. For mail renewal, you must send a check or money order; do not send cash. For in-person renewal, most offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card, though some offices may have different payment options. If you are unsure what payment methods your local office accepts, call ahead.
If you renew online or by mail and your payment is declined or rejected, DPS will contact you. If you renew in person and your payment is declined, you can try a different payment method at the office.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
If your license expires before your renewal is processed, you cannot legally drive in Texas. However, if you have already submitted an online renewal or mailed in your renewal process before the expiration date, you can continue to drive while waiting for your new license to arrive, as long as you can show proof that you submitted the renewal (such as a confirmation email from the online system or a receipt from mailing your process).
If your license has already expired and you have not yet submitted a renewal, you must renew in person before you can drive again. You cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired more than two years. If you are caught driving with an expired license, you may face a traffic citation.
If you need to drive before your renewal is complete, some offices can issue a temporary paper license on the spot during an in-person visit. This temporary license is valid for a limited time and allows you to drive while your permanent license is being mailed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas driver's license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail up to one year before your license expires. In-person renewal can be done anytime before or after expiration. Renewing early is a good idea if you are planning to travel or if you want to avoid the rush near the expiration date.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewals typically take 7 to 10 business days for DPS to mail your new license after they process your renewal. In-person renewals also take 7 to 10 business days for mailing, but you receive a temporary paper license to drive on when ready. Processing times may be longer during peak periods.
What if I moved out of Texas after my last renewal?
You cannot renew your Texas license by mail or online if you no longer live in Texas. You must renew in person at a DPS office if you are still in Texas, or you will need to obtain a driver's license from your new state. If you are temporarily out of state but still a Texas resident, you can renew online or by mail.
Do I need to retake the written test to renew my license?
No, unless your license has been expired for more than two years. If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew without retaking the test. If it has been expired more than two years, you must renew in person and will be required to retake the written knowledge test and vision screening.
Can I change my address when I renew?
Yes. When you renew online, by mail, or in person, you can update your address. If you are renewing by mail or in person and your address has changed, you will need to provide proof of your new Texas residency, such as a recent utility bill or lease agreement.