Texas driver's licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew starting 60 days before that date

Your Texas driver's license has an expiration date printed on the front. That date is your birthday in the year your license expires — usually eight years after you first received it, though commercial licenses and those for drivers under 18 follow different schedules. You can renew your license anytime during the 60 days before your birthday, but you cannot renew after your license has already expired.

If your license has already expired, you cannot straightforward renew it — you must reapply as if getting a new license, which means taking the written test and vision test again. This is why the 60-day window matters: renewing before expiration is faster and cheaper than waiting.

Texas does not send renewal reminders by mail or email. The responsibility to track your expiration date is yours. Write your expiration date somewhere you will see it, or set a phone reminder for 60 days before your birthday.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew your Texas driver's license anytime between 60 days before your birthday and the day your license expires.
  • If you wait until after your expiration date, you must retake the written and vision tests instead of straightforward renewing.
  • Texas sends no renewal reminders, so you must track your expiration date yourself.
  • Online renewal takes about 15 minutes and costs less than renewing in person at a DPS office.
  • You can renew in person at any Texas Department of Public Safety office, by mail, or online depending on your situation.

How to find your expiration date

Your expiration date is printed on the front of your driver's license in the lower right corner. It appears as a date — for example, 06/15/2032 — and is your birthday in the year your license expires. If you cannot locate your physical license, you can check the expiration date through the Texas DPS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth.

Mark this date on your calendar or phone now. Do not wait until you receive a notice, because Texas does not mail renewal notices to drivers. The 60-day window before your birthday is your only heads-up.

Renewing online: the fastest option for most drivers

If your license is not expired and you meet certain conditions, you can renew online through the Texas DPS website. Online renewal takes about 15 minutes, costs $16, and you receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to visit an office or take any tests.

You can renew online only if all of the following are true: your license is not expired, you have no medical conditions that would affect your driving, your address has not changed, you have not changed your name, and you are not renewing a commercial license. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person.

To renew online, go to the Texas DPS website, select "Renew Your Driver License," and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method. You can pay with a debit card or credit card.

Renewing in person at a DPS office

If you cannot renew online, you must renew in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. The cost is $16 for a standard license. You will not need to retake the written test, but you will have your vision checked and may have your photo updated.

DPS offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though hours vary by location. Wait times can be long, especially in urban areas. You can check wait times and make an appointment through the Texas DPS website before you go. Some offices allow you to reserve a time slot, which can cut your wait from hours to 30 minutes or less.

Bring only what you need. Do not bring children or extra people unless they also need to renew, because DPS offices have limited seating and long lines.

Renewing by mail if you are out of state or unable to visit an office

If you are living outside Texas temporarily or have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting an office, you can renew by mail. Request a renewal by mail form from the Texas DPS website or call 1-888-589-6789. Mail the completed form, your current driver's license, proof of residency, and payment to the address on the form.

Renewal by mail takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date DPS receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide. This option is slower than online renewal but does not require you to visit an office.

You cannot renew by mail if your license is already expired. If you are out of state when your license expires, you must renew online or return to Texas to renew in person.

What happens if your license expires before you renew

If your birthday passes and you have not renewed, your license is expired and you cannot drive legally. You cannot straightforward renew an expired license — you must reapply as a new driver. This means you must visit a DPS office, pay the full fee for a new license (which is higher than a renewal fee), take the written test, pass the vision test, and have a new photo taken.

Reapplying takes longer than renewing and costs more. You will also need to bring additional documents, such as proof of citizenship or legal residency. Avoid this by renewing during the 60-day window before your birthday.

If you are driving with an expired license, you can be stopped and cited by law enforcement. The citation carries a fine and may result in other penalties depending on how long your license has been expired.

Renewing a commercial driver's license or a license for a driver under 18

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) expire on a different schedule than standard licenses and cannot be renewed online. If you hold a CDL, you must renew in person at a DPS office. You will need to pass a medical examination and provide the results to DPS. The renewal process takes longer than a standard license renewal, so plan ahead.

If you are under 18, your license expires on your birthday but you may have restrictions on when you can renew. Some younger drivers must renew in person even if they would otherwise meet the requirements for online renewal. Check the Texas DPS website or call 1-888-589-6789 to confirm whether you can renew online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before the 60-day window?

No. Texas allows renewal only during the 60 days before your expiration date. If you try to renew earlier, the system will reject your request. If you need a new license for another reason — such as a name change or address change — you must explore for a replacement instead.

What if I am deployed or living overseas when my license expires?

You can renew by mail if you are out of state. If you are overseas, contact the Texas DPS to discuss your options, as mail service may be delayed. Some military personnel stationed overseas may be able to renew through a military office. Call 1-888-589-6789 to ask about your specific situation.

Do I need an appointment to renew at a DPS office?

Appointments are not required but are strongly recommended. You can reserve a time slot through the Texas DPS website, which usually reduces your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait several hours during busy times.

Can someone else renew my license for me?

No. You must renew your license yourself, either online, in person, or by mail. You cannot authorize another person to renew it on your behalf. If you are unable to visit an office due to a medical condition, renew online or by mail instead.

What if I lost my license and need to renew?

If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a replacement. This is a different process than renewal and requires you to visit a DPS office with proof of identity and residency. Once you have the replacement, you can renew it during the normal 60-day window before it expires.