What you need to do to renew in Texas
Texas lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. Which method you can use depends on your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you have had any address changes or name changes since your last renewal.
If your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, you can renew online through the Texas DPS website without visiting an office. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. The in-person process takes about 20 to 30 minutes at a DPS office, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
You cannot renew online if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), if you need to change your address or legal name, if you wear corrective lenses and want to remove that restriction, or if your license was suspended or revoked. Those situations require an in-person visit.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works only if your license expired less than two years ago and you have no address or name changes.
- Mail renewal is available for certain license types but takes four to six weeks, so plan ahead if you need your license by a specific date.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license expired more than two years ago, and you will need a valid form of identification and proof of residency.
- Texas driver's licenses are valid for eight years, and you can renew up to one year before your expiration date.
- Renewal fees are the same regardless of method — currently $33 for an eight-year license — but online and mail renewals do not include a new photo.
Online renewal through the Texas DPS website
To renew online, go to the Texas DPS website and select the driver's license renewal option. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and pull up your current license information.
Online renewal does not include a new photo, so your current photo will remain on your license. You will pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. Once you complete the process, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail in seven to ten business days.
You cannot use online renewal if you are renewing a CDL, if you need to update your address or name, if you want to add or remove restrictions (such as corrective lenses), or if your license has been suspended or revoked. You also cannot renew online if your license expired more than two years ago.
Mail renewal and what to send
Mail renewal is available for certain license types and is useful if you cannot visit a DPS office. You will need to request a renewal process from the Texas DPS, fill it out by hand, and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee.
The process form is called the DL-44 and can be downloaded from the Texas DPS website or requested by phone. Mail your completed form, current license, and payment to the address listed on the form. Processing takes four to six weeks from the date DPS receives your process, so send it well before your expiration date if you need your license by a certain time.
Mail renewal does not include a new photo. Like online renewal, you cannot use mail renewal if you have a CDL, need to change your address or name, want to modify restrictions, or if your license has been suspended or revoked.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you have a CDL, or if you need to change your address, name, or restrictions. You will also get a new photo taken during in-person renewal, which is included in the renewal fee.
Bring your current driver's license, a valid form of identification (such as a passport or military ID), and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government document showing your name and address. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Visit your local DPS office during business hours. You do not need an appointment for renewal, but you can schedule one online to reduce wait time. The renewal process takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You will pay the renewal fee at the office, and your new license will be mailed to you within seven to ten business days.
Fees and what they cover
The renewal fee for a standard eight-year Texas driver's license is $33, regardless of whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. This fee covers the license itself and processing. If you renew in person, the fee includes a new photo. Online and mail renewals do not include a new photo.
If you need to renew a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher and in-person renewal is required. If you want to add a Real ID endorsement to your license, there is an additional fee, and you must renew in person with the required documents.
Timeline and when to start the process
You can renew your Texas driver's license up to one year before it expires. Starting the renewal process early gives you time to handle any issues that come up — for example, if your address or name has changed and you need to gather documents, or if you are renewing by mail and need to account for processing time.
If you renew online or in person, your new license arrives within seven to ten business days. If you renew by mail, allow four to six weeks for processing plus mail delivery time. If your license has already expired, you can still renew using any of these methods, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and cannot use online or mail renewal. Plan to visit a DPS office during a time that works for your schedule.
What happens if your license is suspended or revoked
If your driver's license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it through the standard process. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Texas DPS. This might involve paying outstanding fines, completing a defensive driving course, or meeting other requirements depending on why your license was suspended.
Contact the Texas DPS directly to find out what you need to do to clear the suspension or revocation. Once that is resolved, you can then renew your license through the normal process. In-person renewal will be required in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have moved to a different state?
No. If you have moved out of Texas, you should get a driver's license from your new state instead of renewing your Texas license. If you still live in Texas but have moved to a new address, you can renew in person at a DPS office and update your address at the same time. Online and mail renewal do not allow address changes.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You cannot renew online or by mail if you do not have your current license. You must visit a DPS office in person. Bring a valid form of identification and proof of your current address. The office will issue a replacement license and handle the renewal in one visit.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
Only if you renew in person. Online and mail renewals keep your current photo. If you want a new photo but are renewing online or by mail, you would need to visit a DPS office instead. A new photo is included in the standard renewal fee for in-person renewal.
How long does it take to get my renewed license after I explore?
Online and in-person renewals take seven to ten business days for mail delivery. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks for DPS to process your process, plus mail delivery time. If you need your license by a specific date, plan accordingly and renew early.
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
If your license has not yet expired, yes — your current license remains valid until the expiration date. If your license has already expired, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives, even if you have submitted a renewal process.