The fastest way to change your address in Texas

You can change your address on your Texas driver's license online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. The online method is the quickest — it takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing if your license is not expiring within 60 days. If your license expires soon, you will need to renew it at the same time, which adds a fee.

You do not need to take a new photo, pass a vision test, or retake a written exam just to change your address. DPS treats an address change as a separate transaction from a renewal. The key is knowing which method fits your situation: online works for most people, but you must have a valid Texas driver's license number and a way to verify your identity electronically.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change through the Texas DPS website is free and takes about 10 minutes if your license does not expire within 60 days.
  • If your license expires within 60 days, you must renew it at the same time you change your address, which costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license.
  • You can change your address by mail by sending a signed form DL-43 and a copy of your current license to the DPS address processing center, which takes two to three weeks.
  • In-person address changes at a DPS office require your current license and proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease, and take about 30 minutes.
  • You must update your address within 30 days of moving under Texas law, though the penalty is rarely enforced for address changes alone.

Online address change through the Texas DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS online services portal at dps.texas.gov and select "Change Address" under the Driver License section. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm it.

The online method is free and when ready — your address updates in the system right away, though your physical license card will still show the old address until it expires and you renew. DPS will mail you a corrected license card if you pay an additional $11 fee for a replacement card. Most people skip this step and straightforward use the updated record in the system, which is what law enforcement and other agencies see when they scan your license.

If your license expires within 60 days of your address change, the system will not let you use the online method. You must renew your license instead, which costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, and you can do this online as well. The renewal process includes the address change automatically.

Changing your address by mail

read or print form DL-43 from the Texas DPS website. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Make a photocopy of the front and back of your current driver's license and send both the form and the copy to the DPS address processing center at P.O. Box 15888, Austin, TX 78761-5888.

Processing by mail takes two to three weeks. DPS will send you a corrected license card in the mail once the address change is complete. You do not pay a fee for this method. The mail route is useful if you do not have reliable internet access or if you prefer a paper record of your request.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Visit any DPS driver license office in Texas with your current driver's license and proof of your new address. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days and showing your new address. You do not need an appointment at most offices, though some locations now use an online scheduling system — check your local office's website before you go.

The in-person process takes about 30 minutes from check-in to completion. DPS will issue you a corrected license card on the spot at no charge. This method is the best option if you want your physical card updated when ready or if you are uncomfortable using the online system.

What counts as proof of your new address

DPS accepts documents dated within the last 30 days that show your name and new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. A lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement also works. Some offices accept a letter from a government agency, employer, or school on official letterhead if it includes your name and new address.

A piece of mail from DPS itself, such as a voter registration card or vehicle registration, is not accepted as proof of address change — that would be circular. If you are homeless or living with someone else and do not have a document in your name, ask the DPS office staff what alternatives they accept; some offices have flexibility for people in transition.

The 30-day rule and what happens if you miss it

Texas law requires you to notify DPS of an address change within 30 days of moving. The rule exists so that DPS can reach you for license renewal notices, vehicle registration matters, and law enforcement purposes. However, the penalty for missing the important date is rarely enforced for address changes alone — it is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $200, but DPS does not actively hunt for people who change their address late.

The practical consequence of delaying an address change is that renewal notices and other official mail will go to your old address, where you may not receive them. If you miss a renewal important date because the notice went to the wrong place, you can still renew, but you may face a late fee or have to retake the written test. Changing your address promptly avoids this hassle.

Changing your address if your license is expired or suspended

If your license is expired, you cannot change your address online. You must renew your license first, which includes the address change. Go to a DPS office in person with your expired license, proof of your new address, and proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate). The renewal process takes about 30 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license.

If your license is suspended, you cannot change your address until the suspension is lifted. Contact DPS to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do to restore it. Once the suspension is cleared, you can change your address using any of the three methods above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my address on my vehicle registration at the same time?

No, your driver's license and vehicle registration are separate records. You must update your vehicle registration address with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of moving as well, but you can do this at a different time. Many people handle both at once for convenience, but it is not required.

Will changing my address affect my driving record or insurance?

Changing your address does not affect your driving record or insurance rates. Your insurance company may ask you to update your address with them directly, but that is a separate process from updating your license. Some insurers offer discounts for moving to a lower-risk area, so it is worth telling them about your move.

Can I change my address if I have a commercial driver's license?

Yes, the same methods explore to commercial driver's licenses. Go online, by mail, or in person using the same forms and processes. If your CDL is expiring within 60 days, you must renew it instead of just changing your address, and renewal requires a visit to a DPS office for a vision test and medical certificate review.

What if I moved out of state but still have a Texas license?

You should renew your license in your new state rather than update your Texas address. Texas law requires you to get a license in your new state within a certain period (usually 30 to 60 days, depending on the state). Keeping a Texas license while living elsewhere can cause problems with vehicle registration, insurance, and voting. If you are temporarily out of state, you can update your address to a Texas address where you still receive mail.

How long does it take to receive a replacement card after an online address change?

If you pay the $11 fee for a replacement card after an online address change, DPS will mail it to your new address within 7 to 10 business days. The address change itself is when ready in the system, so you do not need to wait for the physical card to use your updated address for official purposes.