Texas lets you renew your driver license online if you meet specific requirements, but not all renewals may have access to
You can renew your Texas driver license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website without visiting a driver license office, but only if your license is not expired by more than two years and you have no medical conditions or restrictions that changed since your last renewal. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, and you receive your renewed license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Not every renewal qualifies for the online route. If your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to update your address, if you changed your name, or if you have new medical information to report, you must renew in person at a DPS office. The same applies if you want to change your photo or if your license was suspended or revoked.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works only if your license expired within the last two years and nothing about your medical status or restrictions changed.
- The online process costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- You will need your current or expired Texas driver license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card) to renew online.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up in person from an office.
- If your license expired more than two years ago, you changed your name, or you moved to a new address, you must renew in person at a DPS office instead.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather your current or expired Texas driver license and your Social Security number before you go to the DPS website. You will also need a valid debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee. The DPS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Have your mailing address ready as it appears on your current license. If you moved recently and have not updated your address with DPS, you cannot change it during an online renewal — you will have to renew in person instead. The same rule applies if you changed your name since your last renewal.
Step-by-step process on the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS Online Services portal at onlineservices.dps.texas.gov. Click on "Driver License Renewal" and then select "Online Renewal." You will be asked to enter your driver license number and date of birth to verify your identity.
Next, you will confirm your personal information, including your name, date of birth, and address. Review this information carefully — if anything is incorrect, stop and renew in person instead, because you cannot make corrections during the online process. After you confirm your information, you will choose your license term (four years or eight years) and review the fee.
Enter your payment information and submit. The system will show you a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. You will receive a confirmation email at the address on file with DPS. Your renewed license will be mailed to the address shown in your DPS record within 7 to 10 business days.
When you cannot renew online and must visit an office
If your license expired more than two years ago, the online system will not let you proceed. You must visit a DPS driver license office in person. The same applies if you have a medical condition that affects your driving, if you take medications that require DPS notification, or if your license carries any restrictions that may have changed.
Address changes, name changes, and photo updates also require an in-person visit. If you lost your license or it was stolen, you cannot renew online — you must explore for a replacement in person. Suspended or revoked licenses cannot be renewed online under any circumstance.
How long your renewed license stays valid
When you renew online, you choose between a four-year license and an eight-year license. A four-year license costs $16 and is valid for four years from the date DPS issues it. An eight-year license costs $32 and is valid for eight years. Drivers aged 85 and older can only renew for a four-year term and must renew in person.
Your new license will show the expiration date on the front. Mark your calendar or set a reminder about six months before that date so you do not miss the window for your next renewal.
What happens if you need to renew before your license arrives
If you submitted an online renewal and need to drive before your new license arrives, you can print a temporary driving permit from the DPS website. Go to onlineservices.dps.texas.gov, log in, and select "Print Temporary Driving Permit." This permit is valid for 45 days and shows that your renewal is pending. Law enforcement will accept it as proof that you have a valid renewal in process.
Keep your old license with you while you carry the temporary permit. Once your new license arrives by mail, the temporary permit is no longer needed.
Fees and payment methods
Online renewal costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. These are the standard DPS renewal fees and do not include any additional charges. The DPS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards for online payment. You cannot pay by check, money order, or cash through the online system.
If your payment is declined, the DPS will send you an email explaining why. You can try again with a different card or visit a driver license office to renew in person and pay by other methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas driver license online if it expired three years ago?
No. Online renewal is only for licenses that expired within the last two years. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS driver license office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?
You cannot change your address during an online renewal. You must visit a DPS driver license office in person to update your address. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 90 days.
How do I know if my medical conditions or medications prevent me from renewing online?
If you have a condition or take a medication that DPS needs to know about, you must renew in person. Examples include seizure disorders, vision problems, or medications that impair alertness. When you start the online renewal, the system will ask if your medical status changed — if you answer yes, you will be directed to renew in person instead.
Can I pick up my renewed license at a DPS office instead of waiting for it by mail?
No. Online renewals are mailed to your address on file. You cannot pick them up in person. If you need your license faster, you must renew in person at a DPS office, though this does not may provide same-day issuance.
What should I do if I did not receive my renewed license after 10 business days?
Contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 or visit onlineservices.dps.texas.gov and log in to check your renewal status. Have your confirmation number ready. If your license was lost in the mail, DPS can reissue it or you can visit an office to request a replacement.