How to renew your Texas driver's license
You can renew your Texas driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal. If you can't renew online, you'll need to visit a DPS office in person, which usually takes 30 to 45 minutes once you arrive, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
You're may be able to access to renew online if your license is not expired by more than two years, you have no medical restrictions, your address hasn't changed, and you don't need to update your name or photo. If any of those conditions don't explore to you, you must renew in person.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website takes 10 minutes, costs $16 or $32 depending on the license length you choose, and is available if your license expired within the last two years and you have no address or name changes.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office requires your current license, proof of residency, and Social Security number, and is necessary if your license is expired by more than two years or if you need a new photo.
- Mail renewal is not available in Texas — you must renew online or in person.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the renewal process, whether you renewed online or in person.
- You can check wait times at your local DPS office before you go, which helps you pick the best time to visit.
Renewing online through the Texas DPS website
Go to dps.texas.gov and select "Driver License" from the main menu, then click "Renew Your License Online." You'll need your current Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will verify your identity and ask you to confirm your address and other information on your license.
After you submit the form, you'll pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. Texas charges $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal. Once payment goes through, you're done — your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to use your current license until the new one arrives.
If the system tells you that you're not may be able to access for online renewal, it will explain why and direct you to renew in person instead. The most common reasons are that your license has been expired for more than two years, you have medical restrictions, or your address has changed since your last renewal.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
Find your nearest DPS office at dps.texas.gov/driver-license/locations. You can search by city or zip code. Many offices allow you to check current wait times on the same page before you go, which helps you pick a time when the office is less busy — early mornings and mid-week days are usually faster than afternoons and Fridays.
Bring your current Texas driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and address dated within the last 90 days), and your Social Security number. You don't need to bring the physical card — you just need to know the number. If your address has changed, bring proof of your new address instead.
When you arrive, take a number at the front desk and wait to be called. The DPS employee will verify your identity, take a new photo, and process your renewal. The fee is the same as online renewal: $16 for four years or $32 for eight years. You'll pay at the counter before you leave. Your new license will be mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than two years
If your Texas driver's license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This is a different process that requires you to pass a written knowledge test and a vision test, and it takes longer than a standard renewal.
You'll need to visit a DPS office in person with your proof of residency, Social Security number, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (such as a passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card). The DPS website has a separate section for new license applications with the full list of required documents. Budget at least an hour for this visit, as the testing portion adds time beyond a standard renewal.
Understanding the timeline and what happens next
Your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the renewal, whether you renewed online or in person. During that time, your current license remains valid, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification. You don't need to do anything while you wait.
When your new license arrives, check it when ready to make sure the information is correct — your name, address, date of birth, and license number should all match what you provided. If something is wrong, contact the DPS office where you renewed and ask them to correct it. Minor errors like a misspelled street name can usually be fixed with a phone call, but major errors may require you to visit in person again.
Your new license is valid for four or eight years from the date you renewed it, depending on which option you chose. The expiration date is printed on the front of the card.
Renewing your license if you've changed your name
If you've changed your name since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you must renew in person. You cannot use online renewal because the system needs to verify your name change with official documents.
Bring your current license, proof of your name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The DPS employee will review your documents, take a new photo, and process the renewal. The fee is the same as a standard renewal. Your new license with your updated name will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
Renewing your license if you need a new photo
If you're renewing online, your photo will not be updated — the DPS will use the photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DPS office. The employee will take a new photo as part of the renewal process at no additional cost.
You might want a new photo if your current one is outdated, if you've changed your appearance significantly, or if you straightforward prefer a more recent image. There's no rule requiring you to update your photo during renewal — it's optional — but if you want one, in-person renewal is your only option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's already expired?
Yes, if it expired within the last two years and you meet the other may be able to access requirements, you can renew online or in person. If it expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new license instead, which requires a knowledge test and vision test. Contact your local DPS office to confirm whether you need to renew or explore new.
What if I don't have proof of residency?
You need a document dated within the last 90 days showing your name and address — a utility bill, lease, bank statement, or insurance bill all work. If you don't have one, contact the DPS office before you go and ask what alternative documents they will accept. Some offices can work with you if you explain your situation.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
The DPS mails new licenses within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the renewal process. This timeline is the same whether you renewed online or in person. Your current license remains valid during this time, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification.
Can I renew my license by mail?
No, Texas does not offer mail renewal. You must renew online through the DPS website or in person at a DPS office. Online renewal is faster if you're may be able to access, but in-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you've changed your name or address, or if you need a new photo.
What if I lose my new license before it arrives?
Contact the DPS office where you renewed and report the loss. They can issue a replacement license, though you may need to pay an additional fee. It's rare for a license to be lost in the mail, but if it happens, the DPS can help you get a new one quickly.