Texas driver's licenses are valid for six or eight years, depending on your age when you renew

A standard Texas driver's license is valid for six years if you are under 85 years old when you renew. If you are 85 or older, your license is valid for two years instead. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) follow different rules and are valid for four years, with some exceptions for medical certifications.

The expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the bottom right corner. Texas counts the validity period from the date you receive your renewed license, not from the date you applied. If you renew before your current license expires, the new six-year or two-year period starts on the day the new license is issued.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Texas driver's licenses expire six years from the date of issue if you are under 85 years old.
  • If you are 85 or older, your license expires two years from the date of issue.
  • Commercial driver's licenses are valid for four years, though medical certification expiration may require an earlier renewal.
  • Your expiration date appears on the front of your license in the bottom right corner.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires without losing any validity time.

Why the validity period differs by age

Texas requires drivers 85 and older to renew more frequently because the state uses renewal as a checkpoint for vision and medical screening. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) does not require a road test or in-person exam for most renewals, but the two-year cycle for older drivers creates more frequent opportunities to catch changes in vision or medical fitness.

Drivers under 85 do not face this requirement. Your six-year license is valid for the full term unless you voluntarily renew early, your license is suspended or revoked, or you change your name or address.

What happens when your license expires

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if the expiration happened yesterday. You can be stopped and cited, and the ticket carries a fine. An expired license also means you cannot legally use it as identification for other purposes, such as boarding a plane or entering a federal building.

If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can renew it by mail or online without taking a new photo or passing a vision test, as long as you have not had any suspensions or revocations. If it has been expired for two years or longer, you must renew in person at a DPS office.

How to find your exact expiration date

Look at the front of your physical license. The expiration date is in the bottom right corner, printed as a date in MM/DD/YYYY format. The label above it says "Expires" or "EXP."

If you have lost your license or do not have it with you, you can check your expiration date 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.

Renewing before your license expires

You can renew your Texas driver's license up to one year before it expires. If you renew early, your new six-year validity period begins on the date you receive the renewed license, not on the date your old license would have expired. This means renewing early does not extend your total driving time — you straightforward get a new card sooner.

Many people renew early to avoid the rush near the expiration date or because they need a new photo. Early renewal is allowed by mail, online, or in person, depending on your situation and how long it has been since your last renewal.

Special rules for commercial driver's licenses

A commercial driver's license (CDL) in Texas is valid for four years from the date of issue. However, your CDL may expire sooner if your medical certification expires. Federal regulations require CDL holders to maintain a valid medical certificate, and if that certificate expires before your four-year CDL term is up, you cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle until you renew both the medical certificate and your CDL.

Medical certificates are valid for 24 months from the date a certified medical examiner signs them. You can renew your medical certificate without renewing your entire CDL, but you must do so before it expires to keep driving commercially.

What to do if your license is about to expire

Check your expiration date now if you have not looked at your license recently. If you are within 60 days of expiration, you can renew by mail, online, or in person — the method depends on how long it has been since your last renewal and whether you need a new photo.

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DPS office is when ready — you receive your new license on the same day. If you wait until after your license expires, you must renew in person and cannot use the expired license as valid identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow?

No. Your license must be valid on the date you drive. Driving with an expired license is illegal and can result in a traffic citation and fine. If your license expires soon, renew it before the expiration date.

Do I lose time on my license if I renew early?

Yes, in a practical sense. If you renew one year early, your new six-year period starts when ready, so your old license's remaining validity is lost. However, you can renew up to one year early without penalty, so the choice is yours if you need a new photo or want to avoid a rush.

What if I am 84 and will turn 85 before my license expires?

Your license remains valid for its original six-year term even after you turn 85. When you renew next, you will receive a license valid for two years instead. The two-year rule applies only to licenses issued after you turn 85.

Does my CDL expiration date change if my medical certificate expires first?

Your CDL itself does not expire early, but you cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle once your medical certificate expires. You must renew the medical certificate before it expires to keep driving. When you renew the medical certificate, your CDL remains valid for its original four-year term.

Can I renew my license online if it has already expired?

Not if it has been expired for two years or longer. If your license expired less than two years ago and you have had no suspensions or revocations, you can renew online or by mail. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS office.