What you can and cannot renew online in Texas

The Texas Department of Public Safety lets you renew your driver license online if your license is still valid or expired no more than two years ago. You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, if you need to change your address, if you are renewing after a medical suspension, or if you are under 18. You also cannot use the online process if your license was issued before September 1999 or if you have certain endorsements like a commercial driver license (CDL) or hazmat certification.

The online renewal system works only for standard renewals where nothing about your record or personal information has changed. If you have moved, changed your name, or need to update your photo, you must renew in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office or an authorized county tax assessor-collector office.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online only if your current license is valid or expired less than two years ago, and you have no suspensions or address changes.
  • The online renewal process costs the same as in-person renewal and takes about 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
  • You will need your Texas driver license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method to complete the renewal online.
  • If your license expired more than two years ago or you have a CDL, you must renew in person at a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector office.

Step-by-step process for renewing online

Start by visiting the Texas Department of Public Safety website and locating the online renewal portal. You will enter your driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are, you will proceed to review your personal information as it appears in the DPS database.

Next, you will confirm or update your mailing address — this is where your new license will be sent. You cannot change your address to something different from what is on file; if your address has changed, you must stop and renew in person instead. After confirming your address, you will select your renewal term (usually five or eight years) and review the fee. Payment is made by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Once you submit payment and your process is processed, you will receive a confirmation number.

Your new license will be mailed to the address you confirmed during renewal. Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date your process is submitted. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive.

Fees and payment methods accepted

The renewal fee for a five-year license is different from an eight-year license, and the cost varies slightly depending on whether you are renewing before or after your license expires. The Texas Department of Public Safety website displays the exact fee before you complete payment, so you will know the total cost before you submit your process.

The online system accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and electronic checks. There is no additional fee for using any of these payment methods. If your payment is declined, you will be notified when ready and can try again with a different card or payment method.

What to do if you cannot renew online

If the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access, the most common reasons are that your license has been suspended, your address has changed, or your license expired more than two years ago. In any of these cases, you must renew in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office or an authorized county tax assessor-collector office.

To find the office nearest you, use the DPS office locator on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. Many county tax assessor-collector offices offer extended hours and shorter wait times than DPS offices. You will need to bring your current driver license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. If your license has been suspended, you may also need to provide documentation showing that the suspension has been lifted.

How long your renewed license is valid

When you renew online, you choose between a five-year and an eight-year license. A five-year license expires five years from the date it is issued; an eight-year license expires eight years from the date it is issued. The expiration date will be printed on your new license when it arrives.

Your license is valid for driving as soon as it arrives in the mail. You do not need to set up it or take any additional steps. If your old license is still valid when the new one arrives, you can destroy the old one or keep it for your records.

Tracking your renewed license after you submit

After you complete your online renewal and receive your confirmation number, you can check the status of your process on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. Enter your confirmation number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to see whether your license is being processed, has been mailed, or has been delivered.

If your license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety by phone or through their website. Keep your confirmation number handy when you call. If your license is lost or damaged in the mail, DPS can issue a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas driver license online if it expired more than two years ago?

No. The online renewal system only works if your license is still valid or expired within the last two years. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office or county tax assessor-collector office and may need to retake the written test.

What happens if I move before my renewed license arrives?

If you have already submitted your online renewal, your license will be mailed to the address you provided during the renewal process. If you move after submitting but before the license arrives, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety with your confirmation number and new address. They can attempt to forward it, but the safest option is to update your address in person at a DPS office once you move.

Can I renew online if I have a commercial driver license?

No. Commercial driver licenses, hazmat endorsements, and certain other endorsements cannot be renewed online. You must renew in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, and payment.

What if my payment is declined during online renewal?

If your credit card, debit card, or electronic check is declined, the system will notify you when ready and you can try again with a different payment method. Your process is not submitted until payment is processed successfully, so there is no charge if the first attempt fails.

Do I need to take a new photo for online renewal?

No. When you renew online, your current photo from your existing license is used on your new license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector office.