Texas driver's licenses expire on your birthday, four or eight years after you receive them

Your Texas driver's license has an expiration date printed on the front. Most people get a four-year license, which expires on their birthday four years after issue. If you are over 85 years old, your license expires every two years. If you are between 79 and 84, you get an eight-year license. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) sets these terms — you cannot extend a license or change when it expires.

The expiration date is the last day you can legally drive in Texas using that license. After midnight on your birthday, your license is no longer valid for driving. You can still use it as identification, but law enforcement will not accept it as proof you are licensed to operate a vehicle.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Texas driver's licenses expire on your birthday, four years after you receive them.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, so you do not have to wait until your birthday.
  • Renewing online through the Texas DPS website takes about 10 minutes if your license is not suspended and you have not changed your address.
  • If you let your license expire, you can still renew it, but you may face a late fee or have to take the written test again depending on how long it has been expired.

How to find your exact expiration date

Look at the front of your physical license. The expiration date appears in the lower right corner, printed as a month and year. For example, "08/15/2027" means your license expires in August 2027. If you cannot find your physical license, you can check the expiration date online through the Texas DPS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth.

You can also call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to confirm your expiration date. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

When you can renew 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 August 15, 2027, you can renew it starting August 15, 2026. Renewing early does not shorten the life of your new license — your new license will still be valid for four years from the date you renew.

Many people renew early to avoid the rush around their birthday or to make sure they have a valid license before a planned trip. There is no penalty for renewing early, and you will receive your new license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the renewal process.

Renewing online versus in person

The fastest way to renew is online through the Texas DPS website. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $16. You can renew online if your current license is not suspended, you have not changed your address since your last renewal, and you are not changing your name. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).

If you cannot renew online, you must go to a Texas DPS office in person. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and payment. In-person renewal costs $16 for a four-year license. Wait times at DPS offices vary by location and time of day — many offices are busier in the morning and on Fridays. You can check wait times for your local office on the Texas DPS website before you go.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you only expired yesterday. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can be cited for driving with an expired license. The fine is typically between $100 and $200, and you may receive additional penalties depending on the officer's discretion and your driving record.

You can still renew your license after it expires. If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can renew it by mail or online using the same process as a regular renewal. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a DPS office and may have to retake the written driving test. The DPS may also charge a late fee in addition to the standard renewal cost.

Renewing by mail if you cannot go online or in person

If you prefer to renew by mail, you can request a renewal process from the Texas DPS. Mail the completed process along with your current driver's license, proof of residency, and payment to the address listed on the form. Renewal by mail takes 4 to 6 weeks, so plan ahead if you choose this option.

You can request a mail renewal process by calling the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 or by visiting a DPS office in person. Mail renewal costs $16 and is available only if your license is not suspended and you have not changed your address.

Special rules for drivers over 79

If you are 79 or older, your renewal rules are different. Drivers aged 79 to 84 receive an eight-year license instead of a four-year license. Drivers 85 and older receive a two-year license. These shorter renewal periods exist because the DPS requires more frequent medical reviews for older drivers.

If you are over 79, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a Texas DPS office. You will need to bring your current driver's license, proof of residency, and proof of a recent medical examination. The medical exam must be completed by a licensed physician, optometrist, or nurse practitioner within the 12 months before you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow but I have already ordered a replacement?

No. You can only drive with an expired license if you are actively renewing it in person at a DPS office on the day it expires. If you have ordered a replacement online or by mail, you cannot legally drive until the new license arrives. Plan your renewal at least two weeks before your expiration date to avoid this situation.

What if I moved to a different state after getting my Texas license?

You should get a driver's license from your new state. Driving with an out-of-state expired license is illegal. However, if you still live in Texas and your address changed, you can update your address online through the Texas DPS website without renewing your license early. Your current license remains valid until the original expiration date.

Do I need to retake the driving test to renew my license?

No, not for a standard renewal. You only retake the written test if your license has been expired for more than two years. If you are renewing before it expires or within two years of expiration, you do not need to test again.

How much does it cost to renew a Texas driver's license?

A standard four-year license renewal costs $16. An eight-year license (for drivers 79 to 84) costs $32. A two-year license (for drivers 85 and older) costs $8. These prices are the same whether you renew online, in person, or by mail.

Can I renew my license if it has been suspended?

No. You cannot renew a suspended license online or by mail. You must go to a Texas DPS office in person, and the office will tell you what steps you need to take to lift the suspension before you can renew. Contact the DPS directly to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do.