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

A standard Texas driver's license issued to someone age 18 or older is valid for six years from the date of issue. If you renew before your license expires, your new license will be valid for another six years from that renewal date. The one exception is if you are 79 or older — Texas issues licenses valid for only two years to drivers in that age group, and you must renew in person at a driver license office rather than by mail or online.

Your expiration date appears on the front of your license in the bottom right corner, printed as "DL Expires" followed by the month and year. This is the date you must renew by if you want to keep driving legally. Driving on an expired license is a traffic violation in Texas, even if you have only missed the date by a few days.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Texas driver's licenses for adults are valid for six years from the issue date shown on your license.
  • If you are 79 or older, your license is valid for only two years and must be renewed in person.
  • Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the bottom right corner as "DL Expires."
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, either online, by mail, or in person at a driver license office.

When your license expires and what that date means

The expiration date on your Texas driver's license is the last day you are legally permitted to drive. On that date, your license becomes invalid for driving purposes. If you are pulled over after your license has expired, you can be cited for driving with an expired license, which is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas and carries a fine of up to $500.

The expiration date does not mean your license is no longer useful for identification. You can still use an expired Texas driver's license as a form of ID for non-driving purposes — showing it at a bank, for example — but it cannot be used to operate a vehicle on public roads. If you need to drive after your license expires, you must renew it first.

Renewing before your license expires

Texas allows you to renew your driver's license up to one year before the expiration date. This means if your license expires on June 15, 2025, you can renew it as early as June 15, 2024. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new license — your new license will still be valid for six years from the renewal date, not from the original expiration date.

You have three ways to renew: online through the Texas Department of Public Safety website, by mail if you meet certain requirements, or in person at a driver license office. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes only a few minutes. Mail renewal takes longer because the state must process your process and mail your new license to you. In-person renewal at an office is when ready — you receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your plastic card arrives by mail within two weeks.

What happens if you let your license expire

If your license expires and you do not renew it before driving again, you are breaking the law. You cannot legally operate a vehicle in Texas or in any other state with an expired license. If you are stopped by police, you will receive a citation, and your vehicle may be impounded depending on the circumstances.

The good news is that renewing an expired license is straightforward. You can renew online or by mail the same way you would renew before expiration, as long as your license has been expired for less than two years. If your license has been expired for two years or longer, you must renew in person at a driver license office and may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired.

Licenses for drivers under 18

If you received your first Texas driver's license before turning 18, that license is valid until your 18th birthday. On your 18th birthday, your license automatically expires and you must renew it. You can renew it online, by mail, or in person at a driver license office.

Once you renew at age 18 or older, your new license follows the standard six-year validity period. This means if you turn 18 on March 10, 2025, your license expires on that date, and your renewed license will be valid for six years from the renewal date.

Keeping track of your expiration date

The easiest way to remember when your license expires is to check the front of your card — the expiration date is printed clearly in the bottom right corner. You can also log into your account on the Texas Department of Public Safety website to see your license status and expiration date.

Many people set a phone reminder three months before their expiration date so they have time to renew without rushing. This gives you a buffer in case you need to renew in person or if mail renewal takes longer than expected. If you are renewing by mail, plan to start the process at least six weeks before your expiration date to may support your new license arrives in time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow?

No. Your license becomes invalid on the expiration date, and driving after that date is illegal. You must renew your license before the expiration date if you want to continue driving legally. If you are in an emergency situation, you can renew in person at a driver license office and receive a temporary paper license the same day.

What if I renew my license online but it hasn't arrived yet?

Once you renew online, you receive a confirmation number. Keep that confirmation number with you while you wait for your new license to arrive by mail. If you are stopped by police before your new card arrives, show them the confirmation number and your expired license — most officers will recognize this as a valid renewal in progress. Your new license typically arrives within two weeks.

Do I have to renew in person if my license is expired?

If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online. If it has been expired for two years or longer, you must renew in person at a driver license office. The office staff will tell you whether you need to retake the written and vision tests based on how long your license has been expired.

Does my license expiration date change if I move to another state?

No. Your Texas driver's license expiration date does not change if you move. However, once you establish residency in another state, you are required by law to get a driver's license from that state. You cannot continue driving on a Texas license if you no longer live in Texas.