Documents and information you must bring to renew
To renew your Texas driver's license, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires you to bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of residency. If your current license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS office.
Your proof of identity must be an original or certified copy of one of these documents: a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, passport card, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or military discharge papers (DD Form 214). A photocopy of your birth certificate is not acceptable — it must be certified by the issuing vital records office or come with an official seal.
Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days and showing your current Texas address. The document must have your name and address printed on it; a handwritten address does not count.
Key Takeaways
- You need your current driver's license, a certified birth certificate or passport, and a recent utility bill or lease showing your Texas address.
- If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew online or by mail without visiting a DPS office.
- If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test and written exam.
- Renewal by mail takes about two to three weeks; online renewal is faster but available only if your license is still valid or expired within the last two years.
- The renewal fee is $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license; you cannot choose the length online.
Renewing online versus by mail versus in person
Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest route if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The system will ask you to confirm your address and emergency contact information. You cannot change your address online; if you have moved, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks and requires the same documents as in-person renewal. You will fill out Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), include a photocopy of your proof of identity and residency, and mail everything to the DPS address listed on the form along with your payment. Mail renewal is not available if your license expired more than two years ago.
In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to change your address, or if you want to renew for eight years instead of four. You will bring your original documents, complete Form DL-44 at the office, and pay the renewal fee. The office will take a new photo and may ask you to pass a vision test. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may also need to pass a written exam on traffic laws.
Address changes and name changes during renewal
If you have moved since your license was issued, you must update your address during renewal. Online renewal does not allow address changes, so you will need to renew by mail or in person. Bring your proof of residency document showing your new address along with your other required documents.
If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must bring an original or certified copy of the document showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew online if your name has changed; you must go to a DPS office in person. The office will issue a new license with your updated name at no additional charge beyond the standard renewal fee.
Vision and written exam requirements
Every renewal requires a vision test, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you renew online, you will complete a self-administered vision screening through the website. If you renew by mail or in person, the DPS will conduct the vision test at the office or you can have an eye doctor complete a vision certificate (Form DL-43) and submit it with your mail renewal.
A written exam on Texas traffic laws is required only if your license has been expired for more than five years. If this applies to you, you must renew in person at a DPS office. The exam covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free on the DPS website.
Fees and payment methods
The renewal fee is $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license. If you renew online, the system assigns you a four-year license and you cannot choose the eight-year option. If you want an eight-year license, you must renew by mail or in person. Payment methods vary by renewal route: online renewal accepts credit and debit cards; mail renewal requires a check or money order; in-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card at most offices.
If you are 85 years old or older, renewal is free. If you are a disabled veteran, you may be may have access to to a reduced fee or free renewal; bring your military discharge papers and ask the DPS office about veteran discounts.
Timeline and when to renew
Your renewal notice will arrive in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date. Renewing early does not extend your expiration date — your new license will expire one year (or four to eight years, depending on the license type) from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew.
Online renewal is the fastest option and can be completed in minutes; your new license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your process. In-person renewal is when ready — you will receive your new license at the office on the day you renew, though it may take a few minutes to print.
Special situations and exceptions
If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it. You must contact the DPS to find out the reason for the suspension or revocation and what steps are needed to restore your driving privileges. Suspensions and revocations are typically due to unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or conviction of certain traffic offenses.
If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DPS office and may need to pass additional tests depending on the type of CDL you hold and any endorsements on your license.
If you are renewing from outside Texas — for example, you are stationed overseas with the military — you may be able to renew by mail even if your license has been expired for more than two years. Contact the DPS to ask about out-of-state renewal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than five years?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a DPS office and you will need to pass a written exam on Texas traffic laws in addition to the vision test. Bring all required documents and allow extra time for the exam.
What if I lost my birth certificate and cannot get a certified copy in time?
You can use a U.S. passport, passport card, or military discharge papers instead. If you do not have any of these documents, contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born to request a certified copy; processing times vary but typically take one to four weeks.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online, the DPS will use your current photo on file. If you renew by mail or in person, a new photo will be taken at the office. You cannot submit your own photo for renewal.
What happens if I renew online but my address has changed?
Online renewal will not allow you to proceed if you try to change your address. You will need to start over and renew by mail or in person instead. Bring your proof of residency showing your new address.
Can I renew my license if I owe traffic fines or child support?
No. If you owe unpaid traffic fines or child support, your license will be suspended and you cannot renew it. You must pay the fines or resolve the child support issue first, then contact the DPS to have your license reinstated before you can renew.