Yes, you can renew online if you meet Texas requirements
You can renew your Texas driver's license online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website if you meet specific conditions. Not every driver is may be able to access — the state restricts online renewal to people whose licenses are not suspended, revoked, or cancelled, and who do not need to update their address, name, or other personal information. If your last renewal was also done by mail or online, you are more likely to be may be able to access. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a one-year renewal or $48 for a five-year renewal.
The online system does not issue a physical license when ready. After you complete the transaction, the DPS mails your new license to the address on file, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary digital license via email that you can show on your phone while you wait for the physical card to arrive.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works only if your license is valid, not suspended, and your personal information has not changed.
- The temporary digital license arrives by email within minutes, but your physical card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
- You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card) to complete the transaction.
- If you cannot renew online because of a suspension, name change, or address change, you must visit a DPS office in person.
Check your may be able to access before you start
Before you attempt to renew online, confirm that your license meets the DPS requirements. Your license must not be suspended, revoked, cancelled, or expired for more than two years. If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot use the online system and must visit a DPS office instead.
You are also ineligible for online renewal if you need to change your name, address, or other personal details on your license. If you moved recently or got married and changed your name, you must renew in person at a DPS office. The same applies if you want to change your gender marker or organ donor status — these changes require an in-person visit.
Check the Texas DPS website or call your local DPS office before starting the online process. A staff member can tell you in a few minutes whether your specific situation qualifies for online renewal.
What you need before you begin
Gather these items before you log into the renewal system. You will need your current Texas driver's license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Have a valid debit or credit card ready — the DPS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Make sure the address on file with the DPS is correct, because your new license will be mailed there. If you are not certain what address the DPS has, log into your account on the Texas DPS website or call ahead to confirm. Sending your license to the wrong address means waiting longer to receive it.
Steps to renew online through the Texas DPS
- Go to the Texas DPS online services portal at dps.texas.gov and select "Driver License Online Services."
- Click "Renew Your Driver License" and choose the renewal period you want (one year or five years).
- Enter your driver's license number and date of birth when prompted.
- Review the personal information the DPS has on file. If anything is incorrect, stop here — you cannot fix it online and must visit a DPS office instead.
- Confirm that your address is correct. If it is not, exit the process and update your address in person at a DPS office before renewing.
- Select your renewal period again (one year for $16 or five years for $48) and proceed to payment.
- Enter your debit or credit card information and complete the transaction.
- You will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot.
- Within minutes, check your email for your temporary digital license. Add it to your phone's wallet if your device supports it.
What happens after you submit your renewal
The DPS processes online renewals in the order they are received. Your temporary digital license is valid when ready and you can use it to drive or show as proof of identity while you wait for your physical card. Some businesses and law enforcement will accept the digital version; others may ask to see the physical card, so keep the email with your temporary license handy.
Your physical license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days under normal circumstances. During high-volume periods or if there are processing delays, it may take longer. If your license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the DPS with your confirmation number to check the status.
Once your new physical license arrives, the temporary digital license expires and is no longer valid. Destroy the old physical license by cutting it in half or shredding it — do not throw it away intact, as it contains personal information.
When you cannot renew online and must visit in person
If your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you cannot renew online. You must visit a DPS office and resolve the suspension or revocation before you can get a new license. Suspensions are often due to unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or other court-ordered issues. The DPS office can tell you what needs to be resolved and how to do it.
You also must renew in person if you need to change your name, address, or gender marker. Bring your current license, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate or court order), and proof of your new address (such as a utility bill or lease). Visit the Texas DPS office locator on their website to find the office nearest you and check their hours before you go.
If your license expired more than two years ago, the online system will not accept your renewal. You will need to visit a DPS office and may be required to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long your license has been expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it is already expired?
Yes, as long as it expired less than two years ago. If it has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a DPS office and may need to retake the written and vision tests.
What if I do not receive my temporary digital license by email?
Check your spam or junk folder first. If it is not there, log back into the DPS online services portal with your confirmation number and request the temporary license to be resent. If you still do not receive it within a few hours, contact the DPS directly.
Can I renew online if I have a commercial driver's license (CDL)?
No. Commercial licenses must be renewed in person at a DPS office. The same applies if you have any endorsements on your license, such as a motorcycle endorsement.
What if my address changed since my last renewal?
You cannot renew online if your address has changed. You must visit a DPS office in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days.
Is the temporary digital license valid for driving out of state?
Yes, the temporary digital license is valid for driving anywhere in the United States while you wait for your physical card to arrive. However, some states or businesses may not recognize digital licenses, so keep a copy of your confirmation email as backup proof.