You can change your Texas driver license address online through the Texas Department of Public Safety website, but only if you meet specific conditions
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) allows you to update your address online for a standard driver license or ID card, but the process has strict limits. You can only use the online method if your license or ID is not expired, you have not changed your address more than once in the past year, and you do not need to renew your license at the same time. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, you will need to visit a DPS office in person or use mail.
The online address change takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. Your updated license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will need your driver license or ID number, your Social Security number, and a valid email address to complete the process.
Key Takeaways
- Online address changes work only for current (non-expired) licenses and only if you have not changed your address within the past 12 months.
- You cannot renew your license and change your address at the same time using the online method — you must do one or the other.
- The Texas DPS website processes your change when ready, but your new license card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If you do not meet the online requirements, you can change your address by mail or by visiting a DPS office in person.
Step-by-step process for changing your address online
Start by going to the Texas DPS website and locating the "Change of Address" option under the driver license services section. You will need to enter your driver license or ID number and your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current record and ask you to confirm your identity by answering security questions based on your file.
Once you pass the identity check, you will enter your new address. Make sure the address matches what you want on your license — this is what will print on your new card. After you submit the new address, the system will show you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot; you may need it if you have questions about your change.
You do not need to pay a fee for an address change. Your new license will be mailed to your current address on file, so if you are moving, make sure you update your address before you move or arrange to pick up mail at your old address until the new license arrives.
Who cannot use the online method
If your driver license or ID card has already expired, you cannot change your address online. You will need to renew your license first, either online or in person, and you can update your address as part of that renewal. The online renewal process also allows you to change your address at the same time, so if your license is expiring soon, you may want to renew rather than change the address separately.
If you have changed your address once in the past 12 months, you cannot use the online method for a second change. This rule exists to prevent fraud. You will need to visit a DPS office or mail in a change-of-address form. The same restriction applies if you have changed your address more than once in the past year.
If you need to change your address and renew your license at the same time, you cannot do both online. You will need to renew in person at a DPS office or by mail, and you can update your address as part of that process.
Mailing in your address change as an alternative
If you do not meet the online requirements, you can mail a change-of-address form to the Texas DPS. read the form from the DPS website or pick one up at any DPS office. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Mail it to the address listed on the form along with a copy of a document that shows your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days.
Processing by mail takes longer than online — typically 4 to 6 weeks from the time the DPS receives your form. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide. There is no fee for this method either.
Changing your address in person at a DPS office
You can walk into any Texas DPS office and change your address without an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Bring your current driver license or ID card and one document that proves your new address, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement from the past 60 days. The DPS staff member will update your record on the spot, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
This method is useful if you need to change your address when ready and cannot wait for mail processing, or if you do not have internet access. There is no fee for an address change at a DPS office.
What happens after you submit your change
Once your address change is processed — whether online, by mail, or in person — the DPS will mail your new license card to the address you provided. During the 7 to 10 business days you are waiting, your old license is still valid and shows your old address. You can use it for identification purposes.
If you move before your new license arrives, you have a few options. You can ask someone at your old address to forward the mail to you, you can update your address again once you have been at your new address for a few days (though this may trigger the one-change-per-year rule), or you can pick it up in person at a DPS office if you know which office processed it. Call the DPS customer service line to ask where your license was mailed if you are unsure.
Documents you need for an address change
| Method | Documents Needed | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Driver license or ID number; Social Security number; valid email address | None |
| By mail | Completed change-of-address form; current driver license or ID card; proof of new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from past 60 days) | None |
| In person at DPS office | Current driver license or ID card; proof of new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from past 60 days) | None |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address online if my license expires in the next few months?
Yes, as long as your license has not already expired. If your license is expiring soon, you have the choice to change your address online now and renew later, or wait and do both at the same time when you renew. Renewing and changing your address together requires an in-person visit or mail, not the online method.
What if I moved twice in one year?
You cannot use the online method if you have changed your address more than once in the past 12 months. You will need to visit a DPS office in person or mail in a change-of-address form. The DPS tracks address changes to prevent fraud, so the one-per-year limit is enforced.
Do I need to bring my old license to change my address online?
No. The online method only requires your driver license number, Social Security number, and a valid email address. You do not need to mail in or show your physical license card.
How long does it take to receive my new license after changing my address online?
The DPS processes your change when ready, but your new license card is mailed to you and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Your old license remains valid during this time.
Can I change my address if I have a commercial driver license?
Commercial driver licenses (CDLs) cannot be changed online. You must visit a DPS office in person or mail in a change-of-address form. The same proof-of-address documents explore.