How to Renew Your Texas Driver License

The fastest way to renew depends on how far your license is past expiration

Texas lets you renew online, by mail, or in person at a driver license office. If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If it expired more than two years ago, you must go in person and pass a vision test. The online method takes about 10 minutes and costs less than going to an office, so start there if you are may be able to access.

Your renewal notice — the postcard Texas mails you before expiration — tells you which methods work for your situation. If you have not received one and your license is close to expiring, you can still renew online or by mail without waiting for it to arrive. You do not need the postcard to start the process.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Texas Department of Public Safety website takes 10 to 15 minutes and is the cheapest option if your license expired less than two years ago.
By-mail renewal requires you to send a completed form, your old license, and a check to the DPS office in Austin, and takes two to three weeks.
In-person renewal at a driver license office is required if your license expired more than two years ago, and you will need to pass a vision test.
Your new license will be mailed to you after approval; you cannot pick it up at the office on the same day for a standard renewal.
The renewal fee is $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by credit card online or by check by mail.

Renewing online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website and select "Renew Driver License" from the main menu. You will need your driver license number, Social Security number, and date of birth to log in. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online — if your license expired less than two years ago and you have not had a name change or address change that requires verification, you will be able to proceed.

During the online process, you will confirm your address, choose your license term (four or eight years), and select your payment method. You can pay with a credit card or debit card. After you submit, the DPS will mail your new license to the address on file. Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days, though you can pay extra for expedited mail if you need it sooner.

Keep your old license until the new one arrives. If your old license is lost or stolen, contact the DPS to report it before you renew, because the system will flag the old license as invalid once your renewal is processed.

Renewing by mail

To renew by mail, read form DL-44 from the Texas DPS website or request it by phone at 1-844-DL-TEXAS (1-844-358-3927). Fill out the form completely, including your current address and any name changes. Sign and date it, then mail it along with your current driver license and a check or money order to the address listed on the form — this is the DPS office in Austin.

Include the correct fee: $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license. Do not send cash. Mail your packet in an envelope marked "Driver License Renewal" so it does not get lost in the general mail. Processing by mail takes two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your packet, so factor in mailing time on both ends.

By-mail renewal works only if your license expired less than two years ago. If your license is older than that, you must renew in person at a driver license office.

Renewing in person at a driver license office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than two years ago. Find your nearest driver license office on the Texas DPS website by entering your zip code. Most offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to book an appointment online first — check your local office's page before you go.

Bring your current driver license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. You will take a new photo and pass a vision test. The office will collect the renewal fee ($33 or $66 depending on the term you choose) by cash, check, or card.

Your new license will be mailed to you after the office processes your renewal. You cannot take it with you the same day. Processing usually takes 7 to 10 business days after your visit. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, ask the office for a temporary paper license — they issue these on the spot for a small fee.

What to do if your license is suspended or has restrictions

If your license is suspended or has a restriction on it (such as corrective lenses required), you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a driver license office in person. The office will tell you what you need to do to clear the suspension or restriction before your renewal can be processed.

Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a lapsed medical certification if you drive a commercial vehicle. If you are unsure whether your license has a restriction, call the DPS at 1-844-DL-TEXAS and provide your license number. They will tell you whether you can renew online or must visit an office.

Renewing a license that has been expired for more than five years

If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This is treated as a new process, not a renewal, and requires you to visit a driver license office in person with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You will also take a new photo and pass a vision test.

The fee for a new license is the same as a renewal ($33 or $66), but the process takes longer because the office must verify your documents more thoroughly. Bring originals or certified copies of your documents; photocopies are not accepted. If you are unsure whether your license qualifies as a renewal or a new process, call the DPS before you visit the office.

Paying the renewal fee and choosing your license term

Texas offers two license terms: four years ($33) and eight years ($66). When you renew, you choose which term you want. The eight-year license costs more upfront but works out cheaper per year, so many people choose it if they plan to keep their license for a long time. You can switch between terms each time you renew.

Online renewal accepts credit cards and debit cards. By-mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, or card. Do not send cash by mail. If you are paying by check, make it out to "Texas Department of Public Safety."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have a name change?

A minor name change (like a spelling correction) can be handled online or by mail. A major name change (like marriage or legal name change) requires you to visit a driver license office in person and bring a certified copy of the document showing the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will verify the document before processing your renewal.

What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?

You can update your address online or by mail during renewal. If your new address is in a different state, you cannot renew your Texas license — you must get a license in your new state instead. If you moved within Texas, straightforward enter your new address when you renew, and your new license will be mailed there.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the DPS receives your renewal (online or in-person) or after your packet arrives by mail. Mailing time adds another 3 to 5 days on each end if you renew by mail. If you need your license sooner, you can pay for expedited mail when you renew online, though this costs extra.

Do I need my old license to renew?

For online renewal, you do not need to send your old license — just keep it until the new one arrives. For by-mail renewal, you must send your old license with your form and payment. For in-person renewal, bring your old license to the office, and they will take it and destroy it.

What if I lost my license before I could renew it?

Report the lost license to the DPS by phone at 1-844-DL-TEXAS before you renew. Then proceed with your renewal online, by mail, or in person as usual. The DPS will mark your old license as invalid so no one else can use it. You will still pay the standard renewal fee, not a replacement fee.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.