Texas driver's license renewal fees by type
The fee to renew your Texas driver's license depends on which type of license you hold and how long you're renewing it for. A standard five-year renewal costs $25. If you want an eight-year renewal (available only if you're 85 or older), the fee is $40. A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) five-year renewal is $100, and an eight-year CDL renewal is $160.
These are the base renewal fees charged by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). If you renew in person at a DPS office, you may pay a small additional service fee depending on the location — some offices charge $1 to $3 on top of the renewal fee. Online renewals through the Texas DPS website do not add extra fees beyond the base amount.
If you're renewing a license that has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew by mail or online. You'll need to visit a DPS office in person, and the fee structure is the same as a standard renewal — you're not charged extra for the lapsed status.
Key Takeaways
- A standard five-year Texas driver's license renewal costs $25, and an eight-year renewal costs $40.
- Commercial Driver's License renewals cost $100 for five years or $160 for eight years.
- Some DPS office locations add a $1 to $3 service fee on top of the renewal fee when you renew in person.
- Online renewals through the Texas DPS website charge only the base renewal fee with no additional fees.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a DPS office, but the fee remains the same.
How to pay when you renew online
If you renew through the Texas DPS website, you'll pay the renewal fee using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The payment is processed when ready when you submit your renewal request. You'll receive a confirmation number and an email receipt showing the amount charged.
Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired, you don't need to update your address, and you don't need a new photo. If any of those conditions don't explore to you, you'll need to renew in person at a DPS office instead.
In-person renewal payment methods
When you renew at a DPS office, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Not all offices accept all payment methods, so call ahead or check the DPS website to confirm what your local office takes. Some offices in rural areas may accept only cash or check.
If you pay by check, make it out to the "State of Texas." Bring your current license (or expired license if it's been less than two years), proof of residency if you've moved, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The staff will process your payment and issue your renewal receipt on the spot.
When you might pay more than the base fee
If you need a duplicate license — for example, because yours was lost or stolen — you'll pay $11 for a five-year duplicate or $17.50 for an eight-year duplicate. This is separate from a renewal and is charged in addition to any renewal fee if you're doing both at the same time.
If you're renewing and also changing your name, address, or other information beyond a straightforward photo update, some DPS offices may charge an additional processing fee. The base renewal fee stays the same, but the office fee may increase. Call your local DPS office to ask about their specific fees before you visit.
Expedited processing is not offered for driver's license renewals in Texas. Your license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days of approval, regardless of how you renew. There is no way to pay extra to speed this up.
Refunds and payment disputes
If you paid for a renewal and then discovered you were not may be able to access to renew (for example, because your license had been suspended), you can request a refund from the DPS. Contact the DPS office where you renewed and explain the situation. Refunds are processed by check and typically take 4 to 6 weeks.
If you paid online and believe you were charged in error, you can dispute the charge with your credit card or bank. The DPS will also investigate if you contact them directly with documentation of the duplicate charge or error.
Military and senior discounts
Texas does not offer a discount on driver's license renewal fees for active-duty military members or seniors. The fee is the same regardless of your age or military status. However, if you're 85 or older, you have the option to renew for eight years instead of five, which spreads the cost over a longer period but does not reduce the total fee.
Some Texas counties offer fee waivers for people with very low income through local information programs, but this is not a statewide policy. Contact your county's social services office to ask whether your county has such a program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my renewal fee over time or in installments?
No. The Texas DPS requires full payment of the renewal fee at the time you renew, whether you renew online or in person. There is no payment plan or installment option.
What happens if I don't have enough money to renew right now?
You can renew your license up to two years after it expires without penalty. If you wait until after two years have passed, you'll have to renew in person at a DPS office, but the fee is still the same. There is no late fee or penalty charge added to the renewal cost.
Do I have to pay the renewal fee if my license was suspended or revoked?
No. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the DPS to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take to restore it before you can renew.
Is the renewal fee the same if I renew early?
Yes. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, and the fee is the same whether you renew early or wait until closer to the expiration date. Renewing early does not cost more or less.
What if I'm renewing a license I got as a teenager and I'm now an adult?
If you're renewing a license you've held for several years, you pay the standard renewal fee for your license type. There is no extra charge for updating your photo or information. The fee depends only on whether it's a standard or commercial license and whether you choose a five-year or eight-year renewal.