Texas renews your driver's license on a schedule based on your age and license type, not on a fixed date for everyone

Your Texas driver's license expires on your birthday in the year printed on the card itself. That year depends on how old you are right now. If you are under 85, your license lasts six years. If you are 85 or older, it lasts five years. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) mails you a renewal notice about 60 days before your expiration date, but that notice is a reminder, not a important date — you can renew up to one year before the card actually expires.

The key is to check the expiration date on your current license. That date is your renewal window. You do not have to wait until the last day, and you should not — renewing early means you will have your new card before the old one stops working.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Texas driver's license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the card, which is six years from issue for most adults and five years for those 85 and older.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, so you do not have to wait for the expiration date.
  • The DPS mails a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration, but you can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office without waiting for that notice.
  • Renewing early protects you from driving on an expired license, which is illegal and can result in a traffic citation.

How to find your expiration date

Open your wallet and look at the front of your driver's license. In the lower right corner, you will see a date labeled "Exp" or "Expires". That is the date your license stops being valid. Write it down or take a photo so you have it handy.

If you have lost your license or cannot read the date clearly, you can look it up online through the Texas DPS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to confirm your expiration date over the phone.

The one-year renewal window

Texas law allows you to renew your driver's license up to 12 months before it expires. This means if your license expires on June 15, 2025, you can start the renewal process as early as June 15, 2024. There is no penalty for renewing early, and your new license will be valid for another full term from the date it is issued.

Many people renew three to six months before expiration because it gives them time to receive the new card by mail or schedule an appointment at a DPS office without rushing. If you wait until the last week, you risk your card arriving after your birthday, which means you would be driving on an expired license.

What happens if your license expires

Driving on an expired Texas driver's license is illegal. If a police officer stops you and your license has expired, you can receive a traffic citation. The offense is typically a Class C misdemeanor, which can result in a fine of up to $500. Even if the expiration was recent or accidental, the law does not make exceptions.

An expired license also creates problems beyond traffic stops. You cannot use it to board a domestic flight, enter a federal building, or open a bank account. Employers and landlords may not accept it as proof of identity. The simplest approach is to renew before the expiration date arrives.

Renewal methods and how long each takes

Texas offers three ways to renew: online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Each has different timelines.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew on the DPS website in about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You are may be able to access for online renewal if your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have not changed your address recently, and you do not need to update your photo. Online renewal costs $25.

Mail renewal takes longer. You fill out the process form (DL-44), mail it to the DPS with your current license and payment, and wait 15 to 20 business days for your new card to arrive. Mail renewal costs $25 and works for most people, but you cannot change your photo or address by mail.

In-person renewal at a DPS office takes the longest to schedule but is fastest to complete. You make an appointment (or walk in at some offices), bring your documents, have your photo taken, and receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your plastic card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal costs $27 and is required if you need to update your photo, change your address, or if your license is suspended or revoked.

Documents you will need to renew

For any renewal method, you need proof of identity and proof of Texas residency. A current Texas driver's license counts as both, so if your license is not expired yet, you may only need that card. If your license has already expired, you will need a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card for identity, plus a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement for residency.

If you are renewing in person, bring the original documents or certified copies. If you are renewing by mail, include copies. The DPS website lists the full set of acceptable documents for each category, so check before you gather your paperwork.

Special situations that require in-person renewal

Some circumstances force you to renew at a DPS office instead of online or by mail. If your license is suspended or revoked, you must go in person and resolve the suspension before you can renew. If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you need to bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order and renew in person. If you want to update your photo because it no longer looks like you, you must renew at an office.

If you have moved to a new address in Texas, you can renew online or by mail, but your new license will show your old address unless you update it in person. Updating your address online is not possible during renewal, so plan for an office visit if your address has changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas driver's license if I am out of state?

Yes. You can renew online or by mail from anywhere. Online renewal is fastest — you complete it on the DPS website and your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are out of state for an extended time, renewing early by mail ensures your new card reaches you before your current one expires.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?

You will need to replace it and renew it in person at a DPS office. Bring your proof of identity and residency, and tell the officer you need both a replacement and a renewal. You will pay for both services and receive a temporary paper license on the spot, with your plastic card arriving within 7 to 10 business days.

Does my renewal date change if I renew early?

No. Your new license expires six years (or five years if you are 85 or older) from the date it is issued, not from your birthday. If you renew a year early, your new expiration date will be a year later than your current one. This gives you the full term from the renewal date.

What if the DPS renewal notice never arrived?

The notice is a courtesy reminder, not a requirement to renew. You can renew without it by checking your expiration date on your license, going to the DPS website, or calling 1-888-589-6556. Do not wait for the notice if your expiration date is approaching.

Can I renew if my license is suspended?

No. You must resolve the suspension first by paying any outstanding fines, completing required courses, or addressing the reason for suspension. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew in person at a DPS office. Contact the DPS to find out why your license is suspended and what steps you need to take.