Texas lets you renew online if your license is not expired more than two years and you have no medical restrictions
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) allows online renewal through its website at dps.texas.gov. You can renew without visiting a driver license office if your current license meets two conditions: it expired no more than two years ago, and it carries no medical restrictions or special conditions that require in-person review.
The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal. You will need your current Texas driver license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method — debit card, credit card, or electronic check. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license expired more than two years ago, if you have medical restrictions, or if you need to change your address or name, you must renew in person at a DPS office. The same applies if you want to add the REAL ID star to your license — that requires a visit with original documents.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license expired within the last two years and has no medical restrictions or special conditions.
- The renewal costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes on the DPS website.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you do not receive a temporary license.
- If your license expired more than two years ago or carries medical restrictions, you must renew in person at a DPS office.
- Address and name changes require an in-person visit, as does adding the REAL ID star.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Have your current Texas driver license in front of you. You will enter your license number and the date of birth printed on it. If you cannot find your license number, you can look it up on the DPS website using your name and date of birth, but this adds a few minutes to the process.
You will also need your Social Security number. DPS uses this to verify your identity against state records. Have a valid payment method ready — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or an electronic check. If you pay by check, you will provide your bank routing number and account number directly on the form.
Before you begin, confirm that your address on file is correct. If it is not, you cannot fix it online; you will need to visit a DPS office in person. The same applies if you want to change your name — that requires documents and an in-person appointment.
Step-by-step: the online renewal process
Go to dps.texas.gov and look for the "Driver License" section. Click on "Renew Your Driver License Online." You will be taken to a page that asks whether you are renewing or replacing a lost or stolen license. Select "Renew."
Enter your driver license number and date of birth. DPS will pull up your record and show you the information on file — name, address, and current license expiration date. Review this carefully. If anything is wrong, stop here and schedule an in-person appointment instead; you cannot correct it online.
Confirm that your license has not expired more than two years ago and that you have no medical restrictions. The system will tell you if you are ineligible. If you are may be able to access, you will choose your renewal length: four years ($16) or eight years ($32). Enter your payment information and submit.
You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down the confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. There is no temporary license; you can continue to use your old license until the new one arrives, which typically takes 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 reject your renewal. You must make an appointment at a DPS office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). The appointment can be scheduled at dps.texas.gov under "Schedule an Appointment."
Medical restrictions or special conditions on your license also require an in-person visit. These might include corrective lenses, hearing aid use, or restrictions on the type of vehicle you can drive. A DPS officer must review these in person to determine whether they still explore.
If you want to add or renew the REAL ID star on your license, you must visit an office with original documents: a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers for identity; a utility bill or lease for address; and a Social Security card or tax return for your number. REAL ID renewal cannot be done online even if your license is current.
What happens if your payment fails or the system times out
If your payment is declined, the system will tell you when ready and will not process your renewal. Try again with a different payment method. If the same card fails twice, contact your bank to confirm the card is active and has available funds.
If your browser times out or you lose your connection before you reach the confirmation page, your payment will not have been charged. You can start the renewal again from the beginning. If you are unsure whether your payment went through, check your bank or credit card statement for a charge from the State of Texas. If you see a charge but did not receive a confirmation number, contact DPS at 1-888-589-6789.
Do not attempt to renew twice in the same session. If you submit the form and do not see a confirmation page, wait a few minutes and check your email for a confirmation number before starting over. Submitting twice can result in duplicate charges.
How to track your new license after renewal
DPS does not offer a tracking system for licenses in the mail. Your new license will arrive at the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If more than 10 business days have passed and you have not received it, contact DPS at 1-888-589-6789 with your confirmation number. Have your name, date of birth, and driver license number ready.
You can use your old license to drive until your new one arrives. There is no grace period after your old license expires; once it is expired, you are not permitted to drive, even if your new license is in the mail. If your new license does not arrive before your old one expires, visit a DPS office to request a temporary paper license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is expired right now?
Yes, as long as it expired no more than two years ago. The online system checks the expiration date on your license and will reject the renewal if it is older than that. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person.
What if I moved to a different address since my license was issued?
You cannot change your address online. You must visit a DPS office in person with proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Schedule an appointment at dps.texas.gov under "Schedule an Appointment."
Do I get a temporary license while I wait for my new one in the mail?
No. The online renewal does not issue a temporary license. You can continue to drive on your old license until your new one arrives, which takes 7 to 10 business days. If your old license expires before the new one arrives, visit a DPS office to request a paper temporary license.
Can I renew my license online if I have a medical restriction?
No. Any medical restriction or special condition on your license requires an in-person renewal so a DPS officer can review whether the restriction still applies. Schedule an appointment at a DPS office.
What if I never received my renewed license after two weeks?
Contact DPS at 1-888-589-6789 with your confirmation number, name, date of birth, and driver license number. They can check the status and remail the license if needed. If it was lost in the mail, DPS may issue a replacement.