How to Renew Your Texas Driver's License by County and Region

Where to renew depends on which Texas county issued your license

Texas does not have a single statewide renewal process. Instead, each of the state's 254 counties runs its own driver's license office, and the steps, hours, and documents you need can differ between them. The Texas Department of Public Safety sets the rules, but your local county office handles the actual renewal — so the first step is finding the office in the county where your license was issued, not necessarily where you live now.

If you moved to a different county since you got your license, you still renew through the county that issued it, unless you want to change your address and get a new license number. Most people renew by mail or online if they are may be able to access, which avoids the county office entirely. But if you need to renew in person, you will go to the office in the county on your license, not your current county.

Key Takeaways

Texas has 254 separate county driver's license offices, each with its own hours and document requirements, so you must contact the office that issued your license.
You can renew online through the Texas DPS website if your license is not expired more than two years, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not changed your address.
Mail renewal is available for some renewals but requires you to send your physical license and a completed form to your county office, which takes two to three weeks.
In-person renewal at your county office is required if your license is expired more than two years, you have medical conditions listed on it, or you want to change your address or photo.
Each county office sets its own hours and may require an appointment, so call or check the Texas DPS website for your specific county before you go.

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website

The fastest way to renew is online through the official Texas Department of Public Safety website. You can renew online if your current license is not expired more than two years, you have no medical restrictions or conditions noted on your license, and your address has not changed. The process takes about 15 minutes and costs the standard renewal fee, which varies by license type but is typically around $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal.

To renew online, you will need your current Texas driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will verify your identity using information from your license and other state records. Once approved, your new license will be mailed 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.

Online renewal is not available if you want to change your photo, update your address, add or remove medical restrictions, or change your name. In those cases, you must renew in person at your county office.

Mail renewal for may be able to access drivers

Some Texas drivers can renew by mail, though the process is slower than online renewal. Mail renewal is available if you meet the same conditions as online renewal — your license is not expired more than two years, you have no medical restrictions, and your address has not changed. You will need to complete form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), sign it, and mail it along with your current physical license to your county driver's license office.

The county office will process your renewal and mail your new license back to you. The entire process typically takes two to three weeks from the time the office receives your form. During that time, you can still drive on your current license. Not all county offices accept mail renewals, so contact your county office before you send anything to confirm they accept this method.

In-person renewal at your county driver's license office

You must renew in person if your license is expired more than two years, you have medical restrictions or conditions on your license, you want to change your address, you need a new photo, or you want to change your name. In-person renewal also applies if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) or if you want to add or remove endorsements.

Bring your current Texas driver's license, proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The renewal fee is the same as online or mail renewal. The office will take a new photo and issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the county.

Many Texas county offices now require an appointment for in-person renewal. You can schedule an appointment through the Texas DPS website by entering your county name, or call your county office directly. Some offices still accept walk-ins, but wait times can be long, especially in urban counties. Check your county's specific policy before you go.

Finding your county office and its hours

The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a list of all 254 county driver's license offices on its website, with addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation. You can search by county name or ZIP code. Hours vary widely — some offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while others have limited hours or close for lunch. A few rural counties have offices that are open only two or three days a week.

Before you visit or call, have your driver's license number ready. The office staff can tell you what documents you need to bring, whether they require an appointment, how long the wait typically is, and whether they offer mail or online renewal. If your county office is far away or has very limited hours, ask whether you can renew through a different county office or whether mail renewal is an option.

What happens if your license is expired more than two years

If your Texas driver's license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. This means you will need to take the written test and the driving test again, just as if you were getting your first license. You will also need to provide proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number, and you will pay the full fee for a new license rather than a renewal fee.

You must explore in person at your county driver's license office. Bring your expired license, your Social Security card or a document showing your number, a document proving your identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID), and a document proving your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement). The office will schedule you for the written test and driving test. You cannot drive legally until you pass both tests and receive your new license.

Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)

Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at your county office. You cannot renew a CDL online or by mail. You will need to bring your current CDL, proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. Depending on your CDL class and endorsements, you may need to pass a written test or a medical examination.

If your CDL is expired, the same rules explore as for a regular license — if it has been expired more than two years, you must explore for a new CDL rather than renewing. Contact your county office to find out what tests or medical exams you will need and to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license if I moved to another state?

You can renew online or by mail if you meet the other conditions (not expired more than two years, no medical restrictions, address unchanged). If you have moved and want to update your address, you must renew in person at your Texas county office or explore for a license in your new state. Texas will not mail a license to an out-of-state address unless you request it in person.

What if I do not know which county issued my license?

Your driver's license shows the county name at the top. If you cannot find it, call the Texas Department of Public Safety at 1-844-DL-TEXAS (1-844-358-3927) and provide your license number. They can tell you which county office to contact.

How much does it cost to renew a Texas driver's license?

A four-year renewal costs around $16, and an eight-year renewal costs around $32. Fees may vary slightly by county. If you renew online or by mail, you pay the renewal fee. If you are explore for a new license (because yours expired more than two years ago), the fee is higher and varies by license type.

Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?

No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must contact your county office or the Texas Department of Public Safety to find out why it was suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it before you can renew.

What if my county office lost my renewal form or payment?

If you mailed your renewal and do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact your county office directly. Bring a copy of your mailed form or payment confirmation if you have one. The office can check whether they received it and reprocess it if needed. If the office cannot find it, you may need to resubmit your form and payment.

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.