Documents and information you'll bring to the DPS office
To renew your Texas driver's license in person, you need to bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of residency. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has a specific list of documents they accept for each category — bringing the wrong document means a trip back home or a delayed renewal.
Your current driver's license counts as your primary ID. For proof of identity, you can bring a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a passport card. If you're renewing under 85 years old and your license hasn't expired more than two years, you may be able to renew by mail or online instead of going to a DPS office, which changes what documents you need.
Proof of residency means a document showing your current Texas address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government check. The document must be dated within the last 90 days. A phone bill or credit card statement does not count.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your current Texas driver's license, a document proving your identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID), and a document proving your current address dated within the last 90 days.
- If you're under 85 and your license expired less than two years ago, you may renew by mail or online without visiting a DPS office.
- The DPS office will take a new photo and charge a renewal fee that varies depending on how long your new license is valid (one year, five years, or eight years).
- Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it, because DPS will verify it during renewal.
When you can renew by mail instead of in person
If your license is expired but less than two years past expiration, and you were at least 18 when it was issued, you can renew by mail without going to a DPS office. You'll mail your current license, a completed process form (DL-44), and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the DPS address listed on their website.
Mail renewal takes longer than in-person renewal — typically four to six weeks from the time DPS receives your envelope. You won't get a new photo on a mail renewal, so your new license will use the photo from your current one. If your address has changed, you still need to include proof of your new residency with your mailed process.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail and must go to a DPS office in person. The same applies if you were under 18 when your license was issued.
Online renewal through the DPS website
Texas allows online renewal for some drivers. You can renew online if your license is not expired, or if it expired less than two years ago and you were at least 18 when it was issued. You'll need your current license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start the process on the DPS website.
Online renewal does not require you to visit an office or mail documents. You'll pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card, and your new license will be mailed to your address on file. Like mail renewal, you won't receive a new photo — your current photo stays on your license.
If you need a new photo, a name change, or a corrected address, you must renew in person at a DPS office. Online renewal also is not available if your license was suspended or revoked.
The renewal fee and how long your new license lasts
The renewal fee depends on how long you want your new license to be valid. You can choose a one-year, five-year, or eight-year renewal. The fee increases with the length of validity. DPS sets these fees, and they do not change based on your age or driving record, though commercial driver's licenses have different fees.
When you renew in person, the DPS officer will ask which term you want before you pay. If you're renewing by mail or online, you'll select the term when you submit your process. The fee is non-refundable once you've paid, even if you change your mind about the length.
Your new license will be valid starting on the date you renew, not on the expiration date of your old one. If your current license is already expired, your new one begins on the day you complete the renewal process.
What happens at the DPS office during renewal
When you arrive at a DPS office with your documents, you'll check in and wait for your number to be called. The officer will review your proof of identity and residency, verify your Social Security number, and ask if any of your information has changed since your last renewal. They'll take a new photo for your license.
The officer will also ask about any medical conditions or restrictions that should appear on your license. If you wear corrective lenses, you must tell them so they can note it. You'll sign your new license process, pay the renewal fee, and receive a receipt. Your new physical license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.
While you wait for your new license, your receipt serves as a temporary driving permit. You can drive legally with just the receipt until your new license arrives. If you need to drive out of state before your new license arrives, bring the receipt with you.
Situations that require an in-person visit
You cannot renew by mail or online if your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled. You also cannot use mail or online renewal if you need to change your name, correct your address, or update your gender marker. These changes require an in-person visit to a DPS office.
If you've had a medical condition develop since your last renewal that affects your ability to drive safely, you should report it in person. The DPS officer can note restrictions on your license or refer you to a medical review process. Drivers over 85 must renew in person and may be required to pass a vision test or written exam.
If your current license is damaged, lost, or stolen, you'll need a replacement rather than a renewal. Replacements follow a different process and require an in-person visit.
Finding a DPS office and checking wait times
DPS offices are located throughout Texas. You can find the office nearest you on the DPS website, which lists addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation. Some offices are busier than others — offices in larger cities often have longer waits than rural locations.
Many DPS offices now show estimated wait times on their website or through a phone line. Calling ahead can tell you whether it's a good time to visit or whether you should come back later. Some offices accept online appointments, which you can book through the DPS website. Appointments typically reduce your wait time significantly.
If you cannot reach your local office by phone, you can visit in person during their posted hours. Bring all your documents even if you haven't confirmed an appointment, because walk-ins are accepted when appointments are not available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's been expired for more than two years?
No, you cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired more than two years. You must visit a DPS office in person. The office will treat it as a standard renewal if you were at least 18 when your license was issued, but you'll need to bring all the same documents.
What if I've moved and my address on my license is wrong?
You must renew in person at a DPS office to change your address. Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 90 days. You cannot update your address through mail or online renewal.
Do I need to take a written test or vision test to renew?
Most drivers do not take a written test during renewal. You may be asked to read a vision chart to confirm you can see well enough to drive safely. Drivers over 85 may be required to pass a written exam or vision test as part of their renewal.
What if my Social Security number is different from what's on file?
Bring a document showing your current Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or a tax return. The DPS officer will update your file during renewal. If you don't have a Social Security number, you can renew with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
An unpaid traffic ticket or fine does not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if your license was suspended because of unpaid fines or other violations, you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact DPS or the court that issued the suspension to find out how to clear it.