What You'll Pay to Renew Your Texas Driver's License
A standard five-year Texas driver's license renewal costs $25. If you choose the eight-year license option, the fee is $40. These are the base fees set by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and explore whether you renew in person, by mail, or online.
The actual amount you pay may be higher if you add optional services. A duplicate license costs an additional $11. If you need to change your name, address, or other information on your license during renewal, there is no extra charge — that update is included in the renewal fee. However, if you are renewing after your license has been expired for more than two years, you may be required to take a new photo and pass a vision test, which could mean an in-person visit instead of a mail or online renewal.
Payment methods vary by renewal channel. Online renewals accept debit or credit cards. Mail renewals require a check or money order. In-person renewals at a DPS office accept cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Some offices also accept electronic payment at kiosks.
Key Takeaways
- Standard five-year Texas driver's license renewal is $25; the eight-year option is $40.
- You pay only the base renewal fee to update your address or name — no additional charge for those changes.
- Online and mail renewals are cheaper in time and gas than in-person visits, but you must meet may be able to access requirements (usually a valid license that expired within the last two years).
- Payment method depends on how you renew: online takes cards, mail takes check or money order, and in-person offices take multiple forms.
When You Cannot Renew by Mail or Online
Not every renewal qualifies for the cheaper, faster mail or online routes. If your license has been expired for more than two years, Texas DPS requires you to renew in person at a DPS office. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number, and you will have to pass a vision test and have a new photo taken.
You also must renew in person if you are under 18, if you need to correct information that requires documentation (such as a legal name change), or if your license was suspended or revoked. In those cases, the $25 or $40 fee still applies, but you cannot avoid the office visit.
Online Renewal: Lowest Cost and Fastest Timeline
Online renewal through the Texas DPS website costs the same as mail renewal — $25 for five years or $40 for eight years — but you get your new license faster. You pay by debit or credit card at the time of submission. The entire process takes about 10 minutes if your information has not changed.
To renew online, you must have a valid Texas driver's license that expired no more than two years ago, a Social Security number on file with DPS, and a valid email address. You do not need to upload documents or take a new photo. Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days in most cases, though DPS does not may provide a specific delivery date.
If you need your license sooner, you cannot pay extra to expedite an online renewal. Your only option for faster service is to renew in person at a DPS office, which can issue a temporary paper license on the spot.
Mail Renewal: Lower Cost Than In-Person, Longer Wait
Mail renewal costs the same as online renewal — $25 or $40 — but you pay by check or money order instead of a card. You send your renewal process and payment to the DPS address listed on the form, and your new license arrives 4 to 6 weeks later under normal processing times.
Mail renewal has the same may be able to access rules as online renewal: your license must not be expired more than two years, and your information must not require correction. You do not need to include documents or photos with your process. The main drawback is the longer wait time compared to online renewal, and you have no way to track your process status once you mail it.
In-Person Renewal at a DPS Office
Renewing in person at a DPS office costs the same $25 or $40 but requires you to travel, wait in line, and take time off work or other activities. The advantage is that you can walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. You can also resolve may be able to access issues on the spot — for example, if your address or name needs to be corrected, a DPS officer can help you gather the right documents and process the change when ready.
DPS offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Some locations have kiosks that allow you to pay electronically without speaking to an agent. Wait times vary widely by location and time of day; offices in rural areas are often faster than those in major cities. You can check current wait times for your nearest office on the DPS website before you go.
Additional Costs You Might Encounter
The $25 or $40 renewal fee covers your new license and one address or name change. If you want a duplicate license at the same time — for example, to keep one at home and one in your wallet — you pay an additional $11. A duplicate can be ordered at the same time as your renewal if you renew in person or by mail; online renewal does not offer the duplicate option.
If you need to replace a lost or stolen license before your renewal date, that is a separate transaction with its own fee (currently $11 for a replacement). That fee does not count toward your renewal fee when you eventually renew.
Some DPS offices charge a small fee for passport photos if you need a new photo taken during renewal, though this is rare. Most offices take your photo as part of the renewal process at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the renewal fee with a credit card by mail?
No. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. If you want to pay by credit or debit card, you must renew online or in person at a DPS office.
Do I have to pay the full renewal fee if my license expires in the middle of the year?
Yes. Texas does not prorate renewal fees. You pay the full $25 or $40 regardless of when your license expires during the renewal period.
What happens if I send a check that bounces?
DPS will reject your renewal process and return your documents. You will need to resubmit with a valid check or money order. Your license will not be renewed until payment clears.
Is there a fee to change my address during renewal?
No. Address changes are included in the renewal fee. You do not pay extra to update your address, phone number, or email on your license.
Can I renew my license if I owe back child support or have unpaid traffic fines?
DPS may suspend or deny renewal if you owe child support. Traffic fines do not typically block renewal, but unpaid fines can result in a separate license suspension. Contact DPS or your local court to check your status before you renew.