Where to renew your Texas driver license

You can renew your Texas driver license in person at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, or online through the Texas DPS website if you meet certain conditions. The online route is faster — you can complete it from home in about 10 minutes — but it is only open to people whose licenses are not suspended, who have not had certain violations in the past five years, and whose address on file with DPS matches their current address.

If you cannot renew online, you must visit a DPS office. You can find the office nearest you and check wait times on the Texas DPS website before you go. Many offices allow you to make an appointment, which can cut your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders are served first.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs less than in-person renewal, but only works if your license is not suspended and your address matches DPS records.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS office requires your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number, and takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on wait time.
  • Texas driver licenses are valid for eight years for people under 85, and you can renew up to one year before your expiration date.
  • If you renew online, you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days; in-person renewal produces a temporary paper license on the spot.
  • The renewal fee is lower online ($25 for an eight-year license) than in-person ($27 for an eight-year license), though fees vary slightly for different license types.

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website

To renew online, go to the Texas DPS website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will ask you to confirm your personal information and address. If everything matches DPS records, you can pay the renewal fee and finish in one session.

After you complete online renewal, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If your address has changed since you got your current license, you must renew in person instead of online.

In-person renewal at a DPS office

Bring your current Texas driver license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the past 90 days. Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form.

When you arrive, check in at the front desk. You will be called when it is your turn. The DPS officer will verify your information, take a new photo, and collect the renewal fee. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail. Your permanent license typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Renewal fees and license validity

The online renewal fee for an eight-year license is $25. The in-person renewal fee for an eight-year license is $27. If you are 85 or older, your license is valid for four years instead of eight, and the fee is lower. Fees for commercial driver licenses and other license types are higher.

Your Texas driver license is valid for eight years from the date of issue if you are under 85. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but you may need to retake the written test and vision test depending on how long it has been expired.

What happens if your license is suspended or you have recent violations

If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it online or in person until the suspension is lifted. You must contact the Texas DPS or the court that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do to clear it. Once the suspension is removed from your record, you can renew normally.

If you have had certain violations — such as a DWI conviction, license suspension, or major traffic offense — within the past five years, you are not allowed to renew online. You must renew in person at a DPS office. The DPS officer can tell you whether your specific violation bars you from online renewal.

Renewing with a name change

If your name has changed since you got your current license, you must renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The DPS officer will update your name in the system and issue a new license with your current name.

If you are renewing online and your name has changed, the system will reject your process. You will need to start an in-person renewal instead.

Renewing if you have moved out of state

If you no longer live in Texas, you cannot renew your Texas driver license. You must obtain a driver license from your new state of residence. Each state has its own renewal process and requirements. You can find information about your new state's process on that state's Department of Motor Vehicles website.

If you still live in Texas but your mailing address is temporarily different from your residential address, you can update your mailing address on the Texas DPS website before you renew. This lets you receive your new license at a different location while keeping your residential address on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has already expired?

Yes. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it by mail or in person using the same process as a regular renewal. If your license expired more than five years ago, you may need to retake the written test and vision test. Contact the Texas DPS to confirm what you need to do.

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

If you renew online or in person, your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent one.

What if my address changed but I did not update it with DPS?

You must renew in person. Bring proof of your new address (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the past 90 days) along with your current license, proof of Social Security number, and payment. The DPS officer will update your address and issue your new license.

Can I renew my license by mail?

Texas does not offer mail-in renewal for driver licenses. You can renew online through the Texas DPS website or in person at a DPS office. Online renewal is the closest option to mail renewal since you can do it from home.

What if I lost my current license?

You cannot renew a license you do not have. You must first get a replacement license by visiting a DPS office in person with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. Once you have your replacement license, you can renew it online or in person using the normal renewal process.