What documents to bring when you renew
Texas requires you to show proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number when you renew your driver's license in person. You do not need all of these documents if you renew by mail, but the requirements change depending on how long it has been since your license expired.
For proof of identity, bring your current or expired Texas driver's license, passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current Texas address. You will also need to provide your Social Security number — you can do this verbally at the DPS office, or write it on your process if you are renewing by mail.
If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), you will need to pass a medical examination and bring the completed medical certificate form (MCSA-5875) to the DPS office. This form must be signed by a licensed medical examiner and cannot be older than 14 days when you submit it.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring proof of identity and proof of residency to renew in person, plus provide your Social Security number.
- Texas allows mail-in renewal for licenses that expired less than two years ago, but the document requirements are stricter than in-person renewal.
- Your renewal appointment at a DPS office typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, and you can book one online through the Texas DPS website.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
- Commercial driver's licenses require a current medical certificate from a licensed examiner dated within 14 days of your renewal appointment.
How to renew by mail if your license is not too old
You can renew by mail only if your Texas driver's license expired less than two years ago. Mail renewal is faster than scheduling an in-person appointment, but Texas requires more specific documents than in-person renewal does.
Send the completed DL-43 form (process for Texas Driver License) along with a copy of your proof of identity, proof of residency, and a check or money order for the renewal fee. The current renewal fee is $61 for a four-year license or $91 for a six-year license. Mail everything to the address listed on the DPS website — the address changes depending on which region of Texas you live in, so check before you mail your packet.
Processing by mail takes two to three weeks after the DPS receives your process. You will receive your new license by mail at the address you provided. If the DPS needs more information or finds a problem with your documents, they will contact you by phone or mail.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
If your license expired more than two years ago, or if you prefer to renew in person, you must visit a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Book an appointment online through the DPS website — walk-ins are accepted but wait times are often longer, sometimes two to three hours depending on the office location and time of day.
Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and be ready to provide your Social Security number. The DPS will take a new photo and may ask you to read a vision chart to confirm you still meet the vision standard. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you will need to retake the written knowledge test and the vision screening, just as if you were getting your first license.
The appointment itself takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will pay the renewal fee at the office — $61 for a four-year license or $91 for a six-year license, paid by cash, check, or card depending on the office. You will receive a temporary paper license to use when ready, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than two years
A license that has been expired for more than two years is treated differently than a standard renewal. You cannot renew by mail, and you must complete the full testing process as if you were explore for your first license.
You will need to pass the written knowledge test covering Texas traffic laws and road signs. You will also need to pass the vision screening. The DPS will take a new photo. You still bring the same documents — proof of identity and proof of residency — but the appointment will take longer because of the testing requirement, usually 45 minutes to an hour.
The fee is the same as a standard renewal: $61 for a four-year license or $91 for a six-year license. If you have not renewed in more than two years, scheduling an in-person appointment is your only option.
Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)
Commercial driver's licenses have additional requirements beyond a standard renewal. You must pass a medical examination performed by a licensed medical examiner and bring the completed MCSA-5875 form (Medical Examiner's Certificate) to your renewal appointment.
The medical examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and overall fitness to operate a commercial vehicle. The exam costs money — the amount varies by examiner, typically $50 to $150 — and is not covered by the DPS. The completed form must be dated within 14 days of your DPS appointment, so schedule your medical exam shortly before you plan to renew.
Bring the signed medical certificate, your proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number to the DPS office. You will also need to pass the CDL knowledge test and the skills test if your CDL has been expired for more than two years. The renewal fee for a CDL is $91 for a four-year license or $136 for a six-year license.
Fees and payment methods at the DPS office
Texas driver's license renewal fees depend on how long you want the license to be valid. A four-year license costs $61, and a six-year license costs $91. These are the standard fees as of now, though the DPS may adjust them — check the Texas DPS website to confirm the current fee before you go to your appointment.
At a DPS office, you can pay by cash, check, or debit or credit card. If you are renewing by mail, you must send a check or money order — the DPS does not accept credit cards by mail. Include the correct fee with your process packet, or your renewal will be delayed while the DPS contacts you for payment.
You will receive a temporary paper license when ready after your in-person appointment that you can use while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail. This temporary license is valid for 45 days, which is longer than the typical two to three week delivery time for the permanent license.
Vision and knowledge test requirements
If your license has not been expired for more than two years, you do not need to retake the written test or vision screening during a standard renewal. The DPS may ask you to read a vision chart at the office to confirm you still meet the minimum vision standard, but this is a quick check, not a full test.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must pass both the written knowledge test and the vision screening. The knowledge test covers Texas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free on the DPS website. The vision screening requires you to read letters or numbers on a chart from a specific distance — the standard is 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.
If you fail the vision screening, the DPS will not renew your license until you provide a vision correction form signed by an eye doctor. If you fail the knowledge test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment to try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas driver's license online?
No, Texas does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if your license expired less than two years ago, or you can schedule an in-person appointment at a DPS office. You cannot complete the entire renewal process through the DPS website, though you can book an appointment there.
What if I lost my Social Security card and do not have my number memorized?
You can provide your Social Security number verbally at the DPS office during an in-person renewal. If you are renewing by mail, write the number on your process form. You do not need to bring your Social Security card itself — the DPS only needs the number.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks after your appointment or after the DPS receives your mail-in process. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready if you renew in person, which is valid for 45 days. If you renew by mail, you can use your expired license until the new one arrives.
Do I need to retake the driving test when I renew?
No, you do not need to take the driving skills test during a standard renewal, even if your license has been expired for a long time. You only retake the written knowledge test and vision screening if your license has been expired for more than two years.
What if my address changed since my last license?
Provide your new address on your renewal process, and bring proof of residency showing your current address to your appointment or include it with your mail-in process. The DPS will print your new address on your renewed license.