The Texas DPS office on Nacogdoches Road is the main renewal location for San Antonio residents
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office at 7070 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, TX 78209 is the primary in-person location where you can renew your driver's license. This office handles standard renewals, replacement licenses, and address changes. You can walk in during business hours without an appointment, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week.
The Nacogdoches Road office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Closed Sundays and state holidays. If you go on a weekday morning, you typically wait 30 minutes to an hour. Afternoons and Saturdays tend to be busier. The office is located on the northeast side of San Antonio, near Loop 410.
You can also check the Texas DPS website for current wait times at this location before you go. The site updates wait estimates throughout the day, which helps you plan when to visit.
Key Takeaways
- The main DPS office in San Antonio is at 7070 Nacogdoches Road, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., with no appointment needed.
- You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked and you do not need a new photo, which takes longer but avoids the office visit.
- Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or card.
- The Texas DPS website shows real-time wait times for the Nacogdoches Road office so you can choose the best time to visit.
- If you cannot visit in person, you can request a renewal by mail through the Texas DPS website or by calling 1-844-DL-TEXAS (1-844-358-3927).
What documents you need to bring in person
Bring your current Texas driver's license, which serves as your primary identification. You also need proof of your current San Antonio address. The DPS accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address dated within the last 90 days. A cell phone bill does not count as proof of residency.
Have your Social Security number ready. You can bring your Social Security card, but it is not required if you know the number. If you were born outside the United States, bring your birth certificate or passport. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order documenting the change.
Bring payment for the renewal fee. A standard five-year renewal costs $25 for drivers 18 to 84 years old. An eight-year renewal costs $40. Seniors 85 and older can renew for $10 for a five-year license. The office accepts cash, debit, and credit cards.
Renewing by mail instead of in person
If your license is not suspended or revoked and you do not need a new photo, you can renew by mail. This option takes longer—typically four to six weeks—but you avoid the office visit entirely. You cannot renew by mail if you are over 79 years old, if your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you need a corrected address or name change.
To start a mail renewal, visit the Texas DPS website and select the mail renewal option, or call 1-844-DL-TEXAS. The DPS will mail you a renewal packet with instructions and a payment envelope. Complete the form, include payment, and mail it back. Once the DPS receives and processes your renewal, they mail your new license to your address on file.
Mail renewal is useful if you have a flexible schedule or prefer not to spend time at an office. However, if your license expires soon and you need it quickly, the in-person office is faster.
Other San Antonio locations and alternatives
The Nacogdoches Road office is the only full-service DPS driver license office in San Antonio proper. However, some nearby cities have satellite offices that may have shorter wait times. The DPS office in New Braunfels, about 30 miles south, and the office in Boerne, about 30 miles northwest, both handle renewals. These offices are smaller and often have shorter waits, but the drive may not save you time overall.
Some Walmart locations in the San Antonio area offer DPS services through a partnership, including driver license renewals. These are limited-service locations and do not handle all transaction types. You can find participating Walmart locations on the Texas DPS website by entering your zip code. Walmart locations typically have shorter wait times than the main office, though availability varies.
If you cannot visit in person and do not meet the mail renewal criteria, contact the DPS directly at 1-844-DL-TEXAS to discuss your options. They can sometimes arrange exceptions or direct you to the best solution for your situation.
How to check wait times before you go
The Texas DPS website has a real-time wait time tool. Go to the DPS driver license page, select "Check Wait Times," and enter the San Antonio location or your zip code. The tool shows the current estimated wait at the Nacogdoches Road office and any nearby locations. Wait times update every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the day.
Generally, the shortest waits are Tuesday through Thursday mornings between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays tend to be busier. Lunch hours (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) are moderately busy. Late afternoons after 4 p.m. can be either very short or very long depending on the day. Saturdays are consistently busy.
If the wait time shown is over 90 minutes, consider coming back another day or using the mail renewal option instead. The wait time tool helps you make that decision without wasting a trip.
What to expect during your renewal visit
When you arrive, take a number from the ticket machine near the entrance. The office displays wait times on screens throughout the room. You will be called to a window when it is your turn. Have your documents ready and organized so the process moves quickly.
At the window, the DPS employee will verify your identity, check your documents, and confirm your address and other information. They will take a new photo for your license unless you are renewing by mail. The photo is taken at the office; you cannot bring your own. You will also answer questions about your health and any medical conditions that might affect your driving.
Once everything is verified and your payment is processed, you are done. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives, even if your current license has expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes. Texas allows you to renew an expired license at any time. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, you may need to take a written test and vision test in addition to the renewal. Contact the DPS office or call 1-844-DL-TEXAS to confirm what is required for your specific situation.
Do I need an appointment at the Nacogdoches Road office?
No appointment is required. The office operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You take a number when you arrive and wait for your turn. However, you can check the wait time online before you go to plan the best time to visit.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You can still renew in person at the Nacogdoches Road office. Bring your proof of residency and Social Security number or card. The DPS will issue a replacement license during the renewal process. If you cannot find your license, you do not need a police report to renew.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
After your in-person renewal, the DPS mails your new license to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on your old license until the new one arrives. Mail renewals take 4 to 6 weeks from the time the DPS receives your completed form.
Can I renew my license online?
Texas does not offer full online renewal. You can start the mail renewal process online through the DPS website, but you must still mail in your form and payment. For in-person renewal, you must visit the office in person.