Documents and information you'll bring to the DPS office

To renew your Texas driver's license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) accepts a specific list of documents for each category — you cannot substitute one for another, so check what you have before you go.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: your current Texas driver's license or ID card, a U.S. passport, a U.S. military ID, a certified birth certificate, or a permanent resident card. If you're renewing by mail or online, your current license serves as your identity proof automatically.

For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 90 days showing your current Texas address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, insurance policy, bank statement, or a government check. A piece of mail from a government agency counts. Your name must appear on the document.

You'll also need your Social Security number — you don't bring a card, just know the number. If you don't have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you're not may be able to access for one.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring one proof of identity document (your current license works if renewing in person), one proof of residency dated within 90 days, and your Social Security number.
  • Texas allows you to renew by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked and you meet age and vision requirements, which saves a trip to the DPS office.
  • Online renewal through the DPS website is the fastest option if your license is not expired more than two years and you have no medical restrictions.
  • The DPS office visit takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the location is, and you'll pay the renewal fee at the window.
  • Your new license arrives by mail within two weeks if you renew in person; mail-in renewal takes three to four weeks.

How to renew online through the DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest route if you're under 85 years old, your license expired less than two years ago, and you have no medical restrictions or name changes. Go to the Texas DPS website, select "Driver License Online Services," and log in or create an account with your driver's license number and date of birth.

You'll answer questions about your current address, whether your vision has changed, and whether you've had any traffic violations or medical conditions since your last renewal. You'll upload a new photo or use the one from your current license. The system will tell you when ready whether you're approved.

If approved, you'll pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card — the amount depends on whether you're renewing for four or six years. Your new license ships within one week. You can print a temporary license from the website to use while you wait.

If the system says you don't meet the requirements for online renewal, you'll need to renew in person or by mail instead.

Renewing in person at a DPS office

Walk into any Texas DPS Driver License office with your documents and take a number. You'll wait your turn, hand over your proof of identity and residency, and answer a few questions about your address and medical history. The staff member will take a new photo and ask you to sign the license.

You'll pay the renewal fee at the window — $33 for a four-year license or $66 for a six-year license if you're under 85. Bring a credit card, debit card, or cash. The office will give you a receipt and a temporary paper license you can use when ready.

Your new plastic license arrives by mail within two weeks. If you need it faster, some DPS offices offer expedited service for an additional fee, though this varies by location — call ahead to ask.

DPS offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though hours vary by location. Check the DPS website to find the office nearest you and see its specific hours before you go.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal works if your license is not suspended or revoked, you're under 85 years old, and you don't have medical restrictions or a name change. You cannot renew by mail if your license has been expired for more than two years.

Request a mail renewal form from the DPS website or call 1-888-589-6789. Fill out the form, attach a copy of your proof of residency (the original stays with you), and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address on the form. Do not send cash.

Include a new photo if you want one on your license, or the DPS will use the photo from your current license. Mail your packet to the DPS address listed on the form. Processing takes three to four weeks from the date they receive it, so mail it early if you need your license by a certain date.

You'll receive your new license by mail. If it doesn't arrive within five weeks, contact the DPS to check the status of your renewal.

What happens if your license has been expired more than two years

If your Texas license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if you're getting a license for the first time. This means taking the written test, the vision test, and the driving test at a DPS office.

You'll still need proof of identity and residency, your Social Security number, and proof of Texas residency. The process takes longer than a renewal and costs more. Check the DPS website for the current reapplication fee and to schedule a test appointment.

Fees and what they cover

A standard renewal costs $33 for a four-year license or $66 for a six-year license if you're under 85 years old. If you're 85 or older, renewal costs $16 for a four-year license and is the only option available to you.

These fees cover the new license card and processing. If you want a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and domestic flights), there is no additional charge — your new license will be Real ID-compliant as long as you brought acceptable proof of identity and residency.

If you renew in person and want expedited service, some offices charge an extra fee. If you renew online or by mail, there are no additional fees beyond the standard renewal cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it's suspended or revoked?

No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license through any method. You must contact the DPS or the court that issued the suspension to resolve the issue first. Once it's cleared, you can renew normally.

What if my address changed since my last renewal?

You can update your address during any renewal method. If renewing online, you'll enter your new address in the form. If renewing in person, tell the staff member your new address and bring proof of residency at that address. If renewing by mail, write your new address on the form.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

No, but you can request one. If you renew online or by mail without submitting a new photo, the DPS will use the photo from your current license. If you renew in person, the DPS takes a new photo automatically.

How long does my new license take to arrive?

If you renew in person, your new license arrives within two weeks by mail. If you renew online, it arrives within one week. If you renew by mail, it takes three to four weeks from the date the DPS receives your packet. In all cases, you receive a temporary license when ready or can print one to use while you wait.

What if I need my license before the new one arrives?

If you renew in person, you get a temporary paper license at the window that day. If you renew online, you can print a temporary license from the website. If you renew by mail, you don't receive a temporary license — you'll need to renew in person if you need it sooner.