What to 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 limited set of documents for each category, so bringing the wrong papers will delay your renewal.
For proof of identity, bring your current Texas driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. If your current license is expired, it still counts as proof of identity for renewal purposes. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a certified birth certificate, naturalization papers, or a visa with your I-94 form.
For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 30 days showing your current Texas address. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, and bank statements all work. A government check or tax return also counts. You cannot use a driver's license, ID card, or passport as proof of residency, even if it shows your address.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency from the last 30 days, and know your Social Security number before you go to a DPS office.
- You can renew in person at any DPS office, by mail if your license is not expired and you meet certain conditions, or online through the DPS website if you are renewing early.
- The in-person renewal takes about 30 minutes at the office, and your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If your license is expired by more than two years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the vision and written tests.
- The renewal fee is $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license; you choose the term when you renew.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
Walk into any Texas DPS office with your documents and be prepared to wait. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency, and be ready to provide your Social Security number. The staff will take a new photo, verify your information, and collect the renewal fee.
You do not need an appointment at most DPS offices, but wait times vary widely by location and time of day. Arriving early in the morning or on weekday afternoons typically means shorter lines than lunch hours or Friday afternoons. Check the DPS office locator on the Texas DPS website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times if your location posts them.
The entire process takes about 30 minutes once you reach the counter. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license sooner, some DPS offices offer expedited service for an additional fee, though availability varies by location.
Renewing by mail
You can renew by mail only if your current license is not expired and you meet specific conditions. Your license must have been issued when you were at least 18 years old, you must not have any medical conditions that affect your driving, and you must not have any address changes since your last renewal. If all three conditions are true, the DPS will mail you a renewal form.
To renew by mail, fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail everything to the address printed on the form. Include a copy of your proof of residency. The DPS processes mail renewals within 30 to 45 days, so this method is slower than in-person renewal. Your new license arrives by mail after processing is complete.
If you do not receive a renewal form in the mail and you think you are may be able to access, you can request one from the DPS website or by calling 1-888-589-6789. Do not attempt to renew by mail without the official form, as the DPS may reject your submission.
Renewing online
Texas allows online renewal only if you are renewing early — that is, your license is not yet expired. You must also have a valid email address on file with the DPS. Visit the Texas DPS online renewal portal, log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, and follow the prompts to pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes. After you complete the transaction, the DPS mails you a renewal form. You sign the form, return it by mail with a new photo (you can use a digital photo or have one taken at a DPS office), and the DPS processes your renewal. Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after the DPS receives your signed form and photo.
Online renewal is the fastest option if you start early, but it requires you to mail back a signed form and photo, so it is not truly paperless. If you prefer to avoid the mail step entirely, in-person renewal is faster overall.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew using the same process as above — in person, by mail (if you meet the conditions), or online (if you renew early before it expires). Bring the same documents: your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS office. You will need to retake the vision test and the written knowledge test. Bring your documents, study the Texas Driver Handbook (available free on the DPS website), and plan to spend 45 minutes to an hour at the office. You will take the vision test first, then the written test, then complete the renewal process at the counter.
If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or return another day. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, but you must pass before your renewal is complete.
Renewal fees and license terms
Texas driver's licenses are valid for either four or eight years. When you renew, you choose which term you want. A four-year license costs $33. An eight-year license costs $66. Both are the same document; the only difference is how long they remain valid.
If you are 85 years old or older, your license is valid for five years and costs $33. If you are a member of the military on active duty, you may be able to renew for a longer term at no additional cost; ask at the DPS office or check the DPS website for current military renewal options.
Payment methods vary by location. In-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Mail renewals require a check or money order. Online renewals accept credit and debit cards only. If you renew by mail or online, do not send cash.
Name changes and other updates
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you must renew in person and bring a document proving the name change. Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or naturalization papers. The DPS will update your name on your new license at no additional cost.
If you have changed your address, you can update it during renewal. Bring your proof of residency showing your new address. If you are renewing by mail or online, include the proof of residency with your process. If you are renewing in person, the staff will update your address on the spot.
If you need to change your gender marker on your license, you must renew in person. Bring a certified copy of an amended birth certificate, a court order, or a signed statement from a licensed physician or mental health professional. The DPS will update your gender marker at no additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my renewal?
Yes, if you renewed in person. The DPS gives you a temporary paper license valid for 45 days, and you can drive legally with it. If you renewed by mail or online, you cannot drive with an expired license until your new plastic license arrives. Renew before your license expires if you plan to drive during the renewal process.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew a lost license by mail or online. You must go to a DPS office in person and request a replacement. Bring your proof of identity and proof of residency. The DPS will issue a new license with the same expiration date as your lost license, so you are not renewing — you are replacing. The fee is $11 for a replacement, not the renewal fee.
Do I need an eye exam from an optometrist before I renew?
No. The DPS conducts a vision screening at the office during renewal. If you fail the screening, the DPS will refer you to an eye doctor, but you do not need an exam beforehand. If you already know you need glasses or contacts, bring them with you to the DPS office so you pass the vision screening.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
If you renew in person, your temporary paper license is valid when ready, and your plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail or online, the entire process takes 30 to 45 days. If you need your license faster, ask about expedited service at the DPS office; fees and availability vary by location.
Can someone else renew my license for me?
No. You must appear in person to renew your driver's license. The DPS requires you to be present for the photo and to verify your information. You cannot send someone else to renew on your behalf, even with a power of attorney.