Documents required to renew your Texas license

To renew your Texas driver's license, you need proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) accepts a specific list of documents for each category — you cannot use just any ID or utility bill. The exact documents you bring depend on whether you are renewing in person or by mail, and whether your license is still valid or has been expired for more than two years.

If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting a DPS office. If it expired more than two years ago, or if you need to change your name or address, you must renew in person. The documents listed below are what DPS will ask for at the counter or in your process packet.

Key Takeaways

  • You need one document proving your identity (such as an expired Texas license, passport, or birth certificate), one document proving your current Texas address (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number.
  • If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting a DPS office; if it expired longer ago, you must renew in person.
  • Proof of residency must show your current address and be dated within the last 90 days; a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement usually works.
  • DPS will not accept documents that are expired, altered, or issued by a foreign government unless you are a lawful permanent resident or visa holder.
  • You can check what documents you have on hand against the DPS list before you go to the office or submit your mail process.

Proof of identity documents DPS accepts

DPS requires one document that proves who you are. An expired Texas driver's license or ID card counts, even if it has been expired for years. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or a certified copy of your birth certificate also work. If you were born outside the United States, a Permanent Resident Card (green card) or a valid visa paired with an I-94 arrival/departure record is acceptable.

Military personnel can use a military ID card or a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DPS will not accept a document that is altered, has been reported lost or stolen, or was issued by a foreign government unless you hold a valid visa or green card.

Proof of residency: what counts and what does not

You need one document showing your current Texas address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or phone) dated within the last 90 days is the most common choice. A lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or homeowners insurance policy also work if they show your name and current address. Some people use a bank or credit card statement, though DPS prefers the documents listed above.

The document must be in your name and must show a Texas address. A bill addressed to "Resident" or to a former occupant will not work. If you recently moved and do not yet have a bill in your name at your new address, ask your landlord or utility company for a letter on letterhead confirming your move-in date, or bring a signed lease. DPS staff can tell you on the phone whether a specific document will work before you gather everything.

Renewing by mail if your license is still valid

If your Texas license expired fewer than two years ago and you do not need to change your name or address, you can renew by mail. You will need to send DPS a completed process for Texas Driver License or ID (Form DL-43), a copy of your proof of identity, a copy of your proof of residency, and the renewal fee. You do not need to appear in person.

Mail your packet to the address shown on the DPS website or on the form itself. Processing takes roughly two to three weeks from the date DPS receives your packet. You can continue to drive on your expired license while your renewal is being processed, as long as you have proof that you mailed the process. Keep a copy of the form and the envelope receipt for your records.

Renewing in person at a DPS office

If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS Driver License Service Center. Bring your original proof of identity document, your original proof of residency document, and your Social Security number. You will fill out Form DL-43 at the office, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee. The office will verify your documents on the spot.

DPS offices are open Monday through Friday, with some locations open on Saturday mornings. Wait times vary by location and time of day; visiting early in the week or early in the morning usually means a shorter wait. You can check wait times for your nearest office on the DPS website before you go. Bring all documents in originals — DPS staff will not accept photocopies for in-person renewal.

Fees and how long renewal takes

The renewal fee for a standard five-year Texas driver's license is set by state law and does not vary by location. DPS accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at offices. If you renew by mail, you can pay by check or money order. The fee is the same whether you renew early (up to one year before expiration) or at the last moment.

In-person renewal is usually complete the same day you visit the office. You will receive a temporary paper license to drive on while your plastic card is mailed to you, which takes roughly two to three weeks. Mail renewal takes the same amount of time from the date DPS receives your packet. If you need your license sooner, DPS does not offer expedited processing, but you can pick up your card in person at a DPS office once it is ready.

What to do if you cannot find your documents

If you do not have a birth certificate or passport, you can order a certified copy from the Texas Vital Statistics Unit (if you were born in Texas) or from the state where you were born. This process takes one to two weeks. If you do not have a current utility bill or lease, ask your landlord or utility company for a letter on company letterhead confirming your address and move-in date. DPS will accept this in place of a standard proof-of-residency document.

If your name has changed and you cannot locate the original marriage certificate or divorce decree, you can order a certified copy from the county clerk's office where the document was filed. Keep in mind that if you are missing documents, you cannot renew by mail — you will need to renew in person so DPS staff can review what you have and advise you on next steps. Call your local DPS office before you visit to ask whether the documents you have will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

You can renew online only if your license expired fewer than two years ago, you do not need to change your name or address, and you meet other may be able to access requirements. The online system will tell you whether you are may be able to access when you start. If you are not, you must renew by mail or in person.

What if my address on my proof of residency does not match my license?

Bring both documents — your expired license showing the old address and your proof of residency showing the new address. DPS will update your address during renewal. The proof-of-residency document is what matters; the license is just proof of identity.

Do I need an original document or can I bring a photocopy?

For in-person renewal, you must bring originals. For mail renewal, you can send photocopies of your proof of identity and proof of residency. DPS will not accept photocopies at the office counter.

What if I was born outside the United States?

Bring your birth certificate (certified copy), passport, green card, or valid visa with an I-94 arrival/departure record as your proof of identity. You will also need proof of residency and your Social Security number, just like any other applicant.

How do I know if my license is expired more than two years?

Look at the expiration date on your license. If today's date is more than two years after that date, you must renew in person. If it is fewer than two years past, you can renew by mail or online.