The fastest way to renew depends on when your license expires
You can renew your Texas driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. By mail takes two to three weeks. In person takes one to two hours but lets you update your photo, address, or other information on the same day.
Your renewal method depends on three things: how much time you have before expiration, whether you need a new photo, and whether your address or other details have changed. If your license expires soon and you need a photo update, you must go in person. If nothing has changed and you have at least two weeks, online or mail renewal works fine.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website takes 10 minutes, costs $16 or $32 depending on license length, and works only if your address and other information have not changed.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the DPS address in Austin, and takes two to three weeks total.
- In-person renewal at any DPS office takes one to two hours but is the only way to update your photo or change your address on the same day.
- You can renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last minute.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot use online or mail renewal and must visit a DPS office in person.
Renewing online through the DPS website
Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website at dps.texas.gov and look for the "Driver License" section. Click on "Renew Your Driver License Online." You will need your current Texas driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history or other personal records.
Once you pass the identity check, you will review your current information and confirm that your address, name, and other details are correct. If anything is wrong, stop here — you cannot fix it online. You must renew in person instead. If everything matches, you will pay the renewal fee by debit card or credit card. The system will email you a receipt and a temporary digital license you can use right away on your phone.
Your physical license will arrive by mail in seven to ten business days. You do not need to do anything else. Your temporary digital license is valid for driving until your new card arrives.
Renewing by mail
Request a mail renewal form by calling the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 or by visiting any DPS office and asking for form DL-44. You can also read it from the DPS website. Fill out the form completely, including your driver's license number, current address, and signature. Attach 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 your current driver's license to:
Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division P.O. Box 15888 Austin, TX 78761-5888
Keep a copy of everything you send. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail. Do not send cash — use a check or money order only. If you are uncomfortable mailing your physical license, you can renew in person instead.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
Find your nearest DPS office by visiting dps.texas.gov and using the office locator tool. You can walk in without an appointment at most locations, but some offices now use an online scheduling system. Check your local office's page to see if you need to book a time slot ahead of time.
Bring your current Texas driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address dated within the last 90 days), and payment in cash, check, or card. If your address has changed, bring the proof of residency document — the DPS will not update your address without it. Wear something you are comfortable being photographed in, because you will get a new photo on the spot.
Tell the clerk you are renewing. They will take your photo, verify your information, collect payment, and give you a receipt. Your new license will arrive by mail in seven to ten business days. If you need to drive before it arrives, ask the clerk for a temporary paper license — some offices issue them on the spot, though this varies by location.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than two years
If your Texas license expired more than two years ago, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must visit a DPS office in person. The process is the same as a regular in-person renewal, but the DPS may require you to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test before they issue your new license. Bring your current (expired) license, proof of residency, and payment.
Call ahead to your local DPS office to ask whether they will require the knowledge test. Some offices waive it if your license was only recently expired; others require it no matter how long ago it lapsed. Knowing this ahead of time means you can study if needed and avoid a wasted trip.
Changing your address, name, or other information during renewal
If you are renewing online or by mail and your address or name has changed, you must renew in person instead. The online and mail systems do not allow you to update these details. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days), and any legal documents showing a name change (marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree).
In-person renewal at a DPS office is the only way to update your information and get your new license on the same day. If you use online or mail renewal without updating your address, your new license will arrive at your old address, and you will have to contact the DPS to request a replacement sent to the correct location.
Costs and payment methods
A four-year Texas driver's license costs $16 to renew. An eight-year license costs $32. These are the standard renewal fees and do not change based on where or how you renew. Online renewal accepts debit and credit cards only. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card — payment methods vary slightly by office, so call ahead if you want to confirm.
If you are renewing in person and need to update your photo, address, or other information, the renewal fee stays the same. There is no extra charge for a new photo or address change during renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas driver's license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or know you will be busy closer to your expiration date. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew early or wait until the last moment.
What if I move out of state before my license expires?
You do not have to renew your Texas license if you move. Once you move to another state, you should get a driver's license from that state. Your Texas license remains valid for identification purposes even after you move, but you cannot legally drive with it in another state.
How long is my temporary digital license good for?
Your temporary digital license is valid for driving from the moment you receive it until your physical license arrives by mail. Once your new card arrives, the temporary license expires automatically. You do not need to do anything to deactivate it.
What happens if I lose my license before my renewal arrives?
Contact the DPS when ready at 1-888-589-6789 to report it lost. You can request a replacement license in person at any DPS office. Bring your proof of residency and payment ($16 or $32 depending on the license length). The replacement will have the same expiration date as your original renewal license.
Do I need an appointment to renew at a DPS office?
Most DPS offices accept walk-ins, but some locations now require online scheduling. Check your local office's website or call ahead to confirm whether you need to book a time slot. Even offices that accept walk-ins may have shorter wait times during off-peak hours, usually mid-morning on weekdays.