What you need to do to renew your Texas driver license
To renew your Texas driver license, you submit an process through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), provide proof of identity and residency, and pay the renewal fee. You can do this in person at a DPS office, by mail, or online depending on your situation. The process takes different amounts of time depending on which method you choose — online renewals are fastest, while mail takes several weeks.
Not everyone can renew the same way. Your age, how long your license has been expired, and whether you need a new photo all affect which path is available to you. Understanding which option applies to your situation saves you a trip or prevents a rejected process.
Key Takeaways
- Texas offers online renewal for most drivers whose licenses expired within the last five years and who do not need a new photo or address change.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office takes about 30 minutes and works for almost any situation, including expired licenses and photo updates.
- Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and requires you to send original documents, so use it only if you cannot visit an office or use the online system.
- You will need proof of identity (your current or expired license), proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and the renewal fee, which varies by license type and validity period.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
Online renewal through the DPS website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You go to the Texas DPS website, create or log into your account, answer questions about your current license, upload a new photo if needed, and pay the fee by credit or debit card. The system tells you when ready whether your process was accepted. If it is, your new license ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
You can only renew online if your license expired within the last five years, you do not need to change your address, you do not need a new photo, and you have no medical or legal restrictions on your license. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, you must renew in person or by mail.
To start, visit the Texas DPS online services portal. You will need your current or expired license number, your Social Security number, and a valid email address. Have a recent photo ready — it must be a clear head shot taken against a plain background, similar to a passport photo. The file must be in JPG or PNG format and smaller than 5 MB.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
Visiting a DPS office works for any renewal situation — expired licenses, address changes, new photos, or medical updates. The process takes about 30 minutes from arrival to completion. You bring your documents, fill out the process form (or the staff can help you), have your photo taken, and pay the fee. You leave with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Find your nearest DPS office on the Texas DPS website. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to schedule an appointment. Check the office's page before you go — if appointments are required, you can book one online. Bring your current or expired license, proof of residency, and payment. If you are renewing after your license has been expired for more than five years, bring your original Social Security card or a certified copy of your birth certificate as well.
Bring original documents, not copies. A utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government document showing your current Texas address all work as proof of residency. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. If you do not have a document in your name, bring two documents showing your address and one showing your name.
Mail renewal by sending documents to DPS
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks but works if you cannot visit an office. You print the process form from the Texas DPS website, fill it out by hand, gather your documents, and mail everything to the DPS address listed on the form. Include a copy of your current or expired license, proof of residency, a new photo if you want one, and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash.
The DPS processes mail applications in the order they arrive. Once they receive your envelope, they send you a confirmation letter with a tracking number. Your new license arrives by mail four to six weeks after the DPS receives your process. During that time, your old license remains valid if it has not expired, or you can request a temporary paper license by phone.
Mail renewal carries a risk: if any document is missing or incorrect, the DPS sends it back to you, and the clock restarts. To avoid this, double-check that your proof of residency is dated within the last 60 days, your photo meets the requirements (if you are including one), and your check or money order is made out to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Documents and fees you will need
Every renewal requires proof of identity and proof of residency. Your current or expired Texas driver license counts as proof of identity. For residency, bring an original document showing your name and current Texas address dated within the last 60 days — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work.
The renewal fee depends on how long your new license will be valid. A standard five-year license costs one amount; an eight-year license (available to drivers 18 and older) costs more. If you are 85 or older, you can renew for one, two, or four years at lower fees. Check the current fee on the Texas DPS website, as amounts change. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card depending on your renewal method.
If your license has been expired for more than five years, bring additional identity documents: your original Social Security card, a certified copy of your birth certificate, or a passport. You will also need to retake the written test at a DPS office, so in-person renewal is your only option.
What happens after you submit your process
If you renewed online, you receive a confirmation email when ready. Your new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. If you renewed in person, you get a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 45 days, and your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renewed by mail, the DPS sends you a confirmation letter with a tracking number, and your new license arrives four to six weeks later.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. If your old license has already expired and you need to drive before your new license arrives, you can use the temporary paper license (if you renewed in person) or request one by calling the DPS. A temporary license is valid for 45 days.
If you do not receive your new license within the expected timeframe, check the status on the Texas DPS website using your confirmation number or license number. If there is a problem, contact the DPS by phone or visit an office in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?
Yes, but only in person at a DPS office. You must bring additional identity documents (Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport) and retake the written test. Online and mail renewal are not available for licenses expired longer than five years.
What if I need to change my address when I renew?
You can change your address in person at a DPS office or by mail. Online renewal does not allow address changes. Bring proof of your new Texas residency (a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and address).
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Not necessarily. If you renewed online, the system uses your current photo from your existing license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person or by mail. In person, the DPS takes your photo at the office. By mail, you include a new photo with your process.
How long is my temporary paper license valid?
A temporary paper license issued at a DPS office is valid for 45 days. It allows you to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail. If you renewed by mail or online, you do not receive a temporary license unless you request one by phone.
What if the DPS rejects my mail renewal process?
The DPS sends rejected applications back to you with a letter explaining what is missing or incorrect. You then resubmit the corrected process, and processing time starts over. To avoid rejection, verify that your residency document is dated within 60 days, your photo meets requirements, and your payment is correct before you mail it.