Gather these documents before you go to the DPS office

To renew your Texas driver's license, you will 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 bringing the wrong ones will delay your renewal.

Start by finding one document that proves who you are. The DPS accepts a current or expired U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Citizenship, a military ID, or a tribal ID card. If you do not have any of these, you can use a certified birth certificate plus one additional ID document like a school ID or employee badge — but this combination takes longer to process.

Next, gather proof that you live in Texas. The DPS accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or insurance policy dated within the last 90 days. The document must show your name and current Texas address. A bank statement or credit card statement also works if it is dated within 90 days.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring one proof of identity document (passport, birth certificate with ID, or military ID), one proof of residency from the last 90 days, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
  • You can renew in person at any DPS office, by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked, or online if you meet specific requirements like having renewed online before.
  • The renewal fee is $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the office.
  • Processing times vary: in-person renewals are usually completed the same day, mail renewals take two to three weeks, and online renewals take three to five business days.
  • If your license is suspended, revoked, or you have unpaid traffic tickets, you cannot renew by mail or online and must go to a DPS office in person.

Renewing in person at a DPS office

Walk into any DPS office in Texas with your documents and your current driver's license. You do not need an appointment. Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and be ready to provide your Social Security number or ITIN to the clerk. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, wear them when you have your photo taken.

The clerk will verify your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to sign. You will then pay the renewal fee: $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license. The DPS accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Most offices issue your new license the same day, though some locations may mail it to you within one to two weeks.

Bring your Social Security card if you have it, though the DPS can look up your number if you provide it verbally. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Renewing by mail

You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no unpaid traffic violations, and your license is not expired by more than two years. read the DL-44 form from the DPS website or request one by phone at 1-888-589-6900. Fill it out completely, including your current license number and your Social Security number.

Mail the completed form, a copy of your proof of residency (dated within 90 days), and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current driver's license if it is expiring soon. The DPS will mail your new license to the address on file, which usually takes two to three weeks from the date they receive your packet.

Mail renewal is slower than in-person renewal and gives you no chance to correct mistakes before the DPS processes your process. If your address has changed, you must update it in person or online before renewing by mail, because the DPS will send your new license to whatever address is in their system.

Renewing online through the DPS website

You can renew online at the Texas DPS website if you meet all of these conditions: your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no unpaid traffic violations, you have renewed online at least once before, and your license is not expired by more than two years. Online renewal is the fastest option — your new license usually arrives within three to five business days.

Log into your DPS account using your driver's license number and date of birth. Answer the security questions, confirm your personal information, and pay the renewal fee by debit card or credit card. You will not need to upload documents or take a new photo if you renewed online within the last eight years. The DPS will mail your new license to the address on file.

If you have never renewed online before, you must go to a DPS office in person for your first renewal. After that, you can use online renewal for future renewals as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

What to do if your license is expired or suspended

If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to a DPS office in person and bring all the same documents as a standard renewal. The DPS will treat this as a new license process rather than a renewal, which may take longer.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew at all until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the DPS or the court that issued the suspension to find out why it was suspended and what you need to do to restore it. This might involve paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a mandatory suspension period. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew in person at a DPS office.

Changing your address or name during renewal

If you have moved to a new address in Texas, you can update your address during renewal. In person, tell the clerk your new address and they will print it on your new license. By mail, write your new address on the DL-44 form. Online, update your address in your DPS account before you complete the renewal.

If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You must do this in person at a DPS office; you cannot change your name by mail or online. The clerk will verify the document and print your new name on your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets?

No. If you have unpaid traffic violations, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to a DPS office in person, but the office will not complete your renewal until you resolve the tickets. Contact the court listed on your ticket to pay the fine or set up a payment plan first.

What if I lost my Social Security card?

You do not need to bring your Social Security card. You can provide your Social Security number verbally to the DPS clerk, and they will verify it in their system. If you do not know your number, bring your birth certificate or another document that shows it.

How long does a renewed license last?

A four-year license costs $25 and expires four years from the issue date. An eight-year license costs $50 and expires eight years from the issue date. You choose which one you want when you renew. Drivers under 18 get a four-year license automatically.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not extend the expiration date — your new license will expire one year (or eight years, depending on which you choose) from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired.

What if my name or address is wrong on my current license?

Bring a document that proves the correct information — a birth certificate for your name, a utility bill for your address. The DPS will correct it during your renewal. If you are renewing by mail or online, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6900 to update your information before you submit your renewal.