You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office
Texas lets you update your driver's license address without getting a new card, which means you keep your current license number and expiration date. The fastest way is online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website if your address change is within Texas. If you're moving out of state, changing to a commercial driver's license address, or your license is expired, you'll need to visit a DPS office or mail in a form instead.
You don't need an appointment for most address changes, though wait times at DPS offices vary by location and time of day. The address update itself takes just a few minutes once you're at the counter or finished with the online process.
Key Takeaways
- The online address change through the Texas DPS website works only if you're moving within Texas and your license is not expired.
- You'll need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth to change your address online.
- If you can't use the online method, you can mail Form DL-43 to the DPS address processing center or visit a DPS office in person.
- Address changes are free and do not require you to renew your license early or pay any fees.
Changing your address online through the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Change Address" option under driver's license services. You'll enter your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and show you the address currently on file.
Type in your new Texas address exactly as it appears on mail or utility bills — the DPS system matches this against postal records. Once you submit, you'll see a confirmation number on screen. Your address updates when ready in the DPS system, though it may take a few days for the change to show up if you check your record online later.
This method works only if your license is not expired and you're moving within Texas. If your license expired more than two years ago, or if you're moving out of state, you cannot use the online option.
Mailing in your address change using Form DL-43
read Form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the Texas DPS website or pick one up at any DPS office. Fill in your current driver's license number, your new address, and sign and date the form. You do not need to include a copy of your license or any other documents — just the completed form.
Mail the form to: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver's License Division, P.O. Box 15888, Austin, TX 78761-5888. Processing by mail takes about two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives it. You won't receive a confirmation in the mail; the change is complete when the DPS processes the form.
Use this method if your license is expired, you're moving out of state, or you prefer not to visit an office or use the online system. There is no fee for a mailed address change.
Visiting a DPS office in person
Find your nearest DPS office on the Texas DPS website by entering your city or zip code. Bring your current driver's license and one document showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. If your name on the address document doesn't match your license exactly, bring a second document that shows both your old and new names (such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree).
Walk in during office hours; most locations do not require an appointment for address changes. Tell the clerk you need to change your address. The process takes about five to ten minutes at the counter. You'll pay no fee, and your updated license is valid when ready, though the physical card in your wallet still shows your old address until it expires and you renew.
DPS offices are typically less crowded early in the morning on weekdays. If you go on a Saturday or during lunch hours, expect a longer wait.
What happens after you change your address
Your address updates in the DPS system right away, whether you changed it online, by mail, or in person. Law enforcement and other agencies that check your license will see your new address. Your physical driver's license card keeps your old address printed on it until your license expires and you renew — this is normal and does not cause problems.
If you need your new address to appear on the physical card before your license expires, you can request a duplicate license at a DPS office. This costs a small fee (the amount varies) and gives you a new card with your current address printed on it, but your license number and expiration date stay the same.
Address changes and vehicle registration
Changing your driver's license address does not automatically update your vehicle registration. You must notify the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) separately if your vehicle registration is in your name. You can update your vehicle registration address online through the Texas DMV website, by mail using Form VTR-130, or at a county tax assessor's office.
Texas law requires you to notify the DMV of an address change within 30 days of moving. Updating both your driver's license and vehicle registration at the same time keeps your records consistent and prevents mail from going to an old address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address if my license is expired?
No, not online. You must use the mail-in form or visit a DPS office in person. If you visit an office, bring your expired license along with a current address document. Many people renew their license and change their address in the same visit.
What if I'm moving out of state?
You cannot change your address online if you're leaving Texas. Mail Form DL-43 to the DPS address listed above, or visit a DPS office before you move. You'll need to get a new driver's license from your new state once you arrive and establish residency there.
Do I have to pay a fee to change my address?
No. Address changes are free whether you do it online, by mail, or in person. You only pay a fee if you request a duplicate license card with your new address printed on it.
How long does it take to see my new address online?
If you change your address online or in person, the DPS system updates when ready. If you mail the form, allow two to three weeks for processing. You can check your record on the Texas DPS website after that time.
What if the DPS rejected my online address change?
The system usually rejects changes if your license is expired, your identity information doesn't match DPS records, or the address you entered doesn't match postal records. Try entering your address exactly as it appears on a recent utility bill or lease. If it still doesn't work, use the mail-in form or visit an office in person.