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) has a specific list of documents they accept for each category, and you must bring at least one from each.

For proof of identity, bring your current Texas driver's license, passport, military ID, or birth certificate. If your current license is expired, it still counts as proof of identity. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current Texas address — it must be dated within the last 90 days. You do not need both; one document from each category is enough.

Bring your Social Security card, a document showing your Social Security number, or be prepared to provide the number verbally. You will also need to know your current address and any name changes since your last license was issued.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring one proof of identity document (such as your current license or passport) and one proof of residency document dated within 90 days (such as a utility bill).
  • Texas allows you to renew by mail if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and you meet age and residency requirements — check the DPS website to see if you may have access to.
  • If you renew in person at a DPS office, bring your Social Security number or card and be ready for a new photo and vision test.
  • Renewal by mail takes two to three weeks; in-person renewal is usually completed the same day.
  • The renewal fee is $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license, and DPS accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.

Renewing by mail versus in person

Texas allows some drivers to renew by mail without visiting a DPS office. You are not may be able to access for mail renewal if your license is suspended, you have medical restrictions noted on your license, you are under 18, or you have changed your name since your last license. If none of those explore, you can request a mail renewal process from the DPS website or by calling your local DPS office.

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time DPS receives your process. You will mail in your current license, the completed process form, proof of residency, and the renewal fee. DPS will send your new license to the address on file. This route works well if your schedule does not allow a trip to the office or if your local office has long wait times.

In-person renewal at a DPS office is faster if you need your license quickly. You will complete a new process form, have a new photo taken, pass a vision test, and pay the fee. Most people finish in-person renewal the same day, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the DPS website for your nearest office and current wait times before you go.

What happens during the vision test and photo

The vision test at a DPS office is brief and informal. An officer will ask you to read letters or numbers on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you — you will be tested with the correction you normally use to drive. If you fail the vision test, you will be asked to see an eye doctor and return with a vision correction form before your license is issued.

Your new photo will be taken at the DPS office on the day you renew. Wear something you are comfortable in; the photo will be used on your license for the next four or eight years. DPS has specific rules about what you can wear in the photo — no hats, sunglasses, or head coverings unless for religious reasons — but office staff will tell you if something needs to change before the photo is taken.

Fees and payment methods

A four-year Texas driver's license costs $25 to renew. An eight-year license costs $50. You can choose which term you want when you renew. DPS accepts cash, personal checks, debit cards, and credit cards at all offices. Some offices may have limits on check amounts, so calling ahead if you plan to pay by check is a good idea.

If you renew by mail, include your payment with your process. If you renew in person, you can pay at the office. There are no additional fees for mail renewal or for renewing in person — the fee is the same either way.

Timeline and when your new license arrives

If you renew in person, you will receive your new license the same day in most cases. The office will give you a temporary paper license to use while you wait for the plastic card to be produced, or they may hand you the card before you leave.

If you renew by mail, DPS will mail your new license to the address on your process. Mail renewal typically takes two to three weeks from the date DPS receives your process. Your current license remains valid during this time, so you can continue to drive. If your license is expiring soon and you are concerned about the mail timeline, renewing in person is the faster option.

What to do if your name has changed

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person at a DPS office and bring documentation of the name change.

For a name change due to marriage, bring your marriage certificate. For a divorce, bring your divorce decree. For a legal name change, bring the court order. DPS will update your name on your new license and may issue you a new license number. Bring your current license and proof of residency along with the name change document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?

Yes, you can renew an expired license by mail or in person using the same process as a standard renewal. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, DPS may require you to take a written driving test in addition to the vision test. Contact your local DPS office to confirm what you will need.

What if I do not have proof of residency dated within 90 days?

You can use an older utility bill or other residency document if you also bring a letter from a government agency (such as a tax notice or voter registration card) showing your current address. Some DPS offices may accept a combination of documents. Call your local office to ask what they will accept before you visit.

Do I need to take the written driving test again when I renew?

No. Standard renewal does not include a written test. You only take a vision test and have a new photo taken. A written test is required only if your license has been expired for more than two years or if DPS has specific concerns about your driving record.

Can someone else pick up my renewed license if I renew in person?

No. DPS requires the person whose name is on the license to be present to receive it. If you renew by mail, DPS will mail the license to the address on your process, so someone else can receive it at that address.

What if my address has changed since I last renewed?

Bring proof of your new address dated within 90 days (such as a utility bill or lease). You can update your address on your process form at the DPS office or include it with your mail renewal process. Your new license will show your current address.