You can renew online if your license is not expired more than two years and you have no medical restrictions
Texas allows online renewal through the Department of Public Safety website if you meet a few conditions. Your current license must not be expired more than two years, you cannot have certain medical conditions on file, and you must have a valid address on record. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal, paid by credit or debit card.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you have medical restrictions, or you changed your address, you will need to renew in person at a DPS office or an authorized county tax assessor-collector instead. The online system will tell you when ready whether you are may be able to access when you start the process.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license expired within the last two years and you have no medical restrictions or address changes.
- The online renewal costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.
- You will need your current Texas driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method to complete the renewal.
- After you submit your renewal online, your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If you do not meet the online renewal requirements, you must visit a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector in person.
What you need before you start
Gather your current Texas driver's license, your Social Security number, and a credit or debit card. You will also need to know your Texas driver's license number — it appears on the front of your card. Have your current mailing address ready, and make sure it matches what the DPS has on file; if you moved recently and have not updated your address, you cannot renew online.
If your name has changed since your license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal change — you will need to renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change. The online system does not handle name changes.
Steps to renew on the DPS website
Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the main menu. You will be taken to a page that asks whether you want to renew online or find an office location. Click the online renewal option.
Enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you your current information. Review it carefully — if your address, name, or other details are wrong, stop and go to a DPS office instead, because you cannot correct them online.
Confirm that you have no medical restrictions and that your license has not been expired more than two years. If either is true, the system will tell you that you are not may be able to access and will direct you to in-person renewal options. If you are may be able to access, you will see a summary of your renewal and the cost.
Choose your renewal term: four years for $16 or eight years for $32. Enter your payment information and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
When you cannot renew online
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. The online system will reject your renewal and show you the nearest DPS office or county tax assessor-collector where you can renew. Bring your expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number.
Medical restrictions also block online renewal. These include conditions that affect your ability to drive safely, such as vision problems or seizure disorders, that are noted in your DPS record. If you have a medical restriction and want to renew, you will need to visit an office and may need to provide a medical certificate from your doctor.
If you changed your address and have not yet updated it with the DPS, you cannot renew online. You must go to a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector and bring proof of your new address. Once your address is updated in the system, you can renew online if your license is still within the two-year window.
How long it takes and what to expect
The online renewal itself takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after you submit your payment, and an email confirmation will follow within a few minutes. This confirmation is not your new license — it is proof that you have renewed.
Your physical license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The DPS mails licenses from a central location, so delivery time depends on your distance from Austin. If you do not receive your license within two weeks, contact the DPS to check the status of your renewal using your confirmation number.
You can continue to drive on your expired license while you wait for the new one to arrive, as long as you have your confirmation number with you. If you are stopped by law enforcement, show them your old license and your confirmation email or number.
What happens if your renewal is denied
The online system may deny your renewal if you have an outstanding traffic ticket, unpaid child support, or other legal holds on your record. The system will tell you the reason and direct you to resolve the issue before you can renew. You will need to contact the agency that placed the hold — usually a court, the Texas Attorney General's office, or the Department of Family and Protective Services.
If you have a suspended or revoked license, you cannot renew online or in person until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the DPS directly to find out why your license is suspended and what steps you need to take to restore it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is expired?
Yes, as long as it expired within the last two years. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector and bring proof of residency.
What if I moved and need to change my address?
You cannot change your address during an online renewal. You must visit a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector in person with proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease. Once your address is updated, you can renew online if your license is still within the two-year window.
How do I know if I have medical restrictions on my license?
Medical restrictions appear on the back of your driver's license as codes or notes. If you see any restrictions listed, you cannot renew online and must visit a DPS office. You may need to provide a medical certificate from your doctor to renew.
What if I do not receive my new license within two weeks?
Contact the Texas Department of Public Safety with your confirmation number. They can check whether your license was mailed and provide an estimated delivery date. If there is a problem, they can reissue your license or direct you to pick one up at a DPS office.
Can I renew online if my name changed?
No. Name changes require an in-person visit to a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector. Bring your current license and a certified copy of the document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.