Where to renew and what you need before you start
You can renew your Texas driver's license in person at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Texas DPS website. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo or address.
Before you go anywhere or submit anything, gather these documents: your current Texas driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 90 days), and your Social Security number. If you are renewing by mail or online, your license must not be expired by more than two years. If it is expired longer than that, you must renew in person.
Texas licenses expire on your birthday. You can renew up to one year before expiration, which means you do not have to wait until the last minute. Many people renew several months early to avoid the rush at DPS offices.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if your license expired less than two years ago and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks and requires the same documents as in-person renewal, but you cannot update your photo by mail.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license expired more than two years ago, and it is the only way to get a new photo without paying extra.
- You can renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until your birthday month.
- Bring proof of residency dated within the last 90 days; a utility bill or lease works, but a credit card statement does not.
Renewing online through the Texas DPS website
Online renewal is the fastest method if you are may be able to access. Go to the Texas DPS website, select "Driver License" and then "Renew Online," and follow the prompts. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and ask you to confirm your address and other information on file.
Online renewal costs $25 and takes about 7 to 10 business days. Your new license will arrive by mail. You cannot change your photo online, and you cannot change your address if it differs from what DPS has on record — if your address has changed, you must renew in person or by mail and include proof of your new residency.
You are not may be able to access for online renewal if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to change your name, or if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL). You also cannot renew online if you are over 79 years old — those renewals must happen in person.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal works if your license expired less than two years ago and you do not need a new photo. read the DL-44 form from the Texas DPS website, fill it out completely, and mail it with a copy of your current license and proof of residency to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $25 — DPS does not take credit cards by mail.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time DPS receives your envelope. There is no way to track your process once it is in the mail, so send it certified mail if you want proof of delivery. Your new license will arrive separately, also by mail.
Do not mail your original license unless the form specifically asks for it — you may need it for identification while you wait. If the form asks for it, include a photocopy instead and keep the original.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you are over 79, if you have a CDL, or if you need to change your name or photo. Walk into any Texas DPS office during business hours with your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
Bring the original documents, not copies. DPS will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. In-person renewal costs $25 for a standard license. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
DPS offices are busiest on weekday mornings and on the last day of the month. If you can go on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, the wait is usually shorter. Check the DPS website for your nearest office location and current wait times before you go.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license is expired, you cannot legally drive. However, you can still renew it — expiration does not cancel your license, it just makes it invalid for driving. Renew through whichever method you are may be able to access for, and your new license will be valid from the date DPS processes it.
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person. If it has been expired for less than two years, you can use any method. There is no penalty for renewing late other than the fact that you cannot drive legally until your new license arrives.
Changing your address or name during renewal
If you have moved, you must update your address during renewal. Online renewal will not let you change an address that differs from DPS records — if your address has changed, renew by mail or in person and include proof of your new address dated within the last 90 days.
If you have changed your name, you must renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DPS will update your name and issue a new license with your new photo.
Costs and what to expect in the mail
A standard five-year driver's license renewal costs $25 in Texas, regardless of method. If you are 85 or older, renewal is free. If you want a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and flights), the cost is the same — $25 — but you must renew in person and bring additional proof of citizenship or legal residency.
Your new license will arrive in a white envelope from the Texas DPS. Open it carefully — your temporary paper license is inside along with your permanent plastic card. Keep the paper license until your plastic card arrives. Once your plastic card is in hand, the paper license is no longer valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?
Yes. Texas does not hold up license renewals for unpaid traffic tickets or fines. However, if you have an active warrant related to a traffic offense, DPS may flag your account. If you know you have an outstanding issue, contact the court or the agency that issued the ticket before you renew to confirm your status.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You cannot renew online or by mail without your current license number. You must go to a DPS office in person and bring proof of residency and your Social Security number. DPS will issue you a replacement license and treat it as a renewal if your old license has not been expired for more than two years.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
If you renew in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent plastic license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you renew online or by mail, your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days from the time DPS processes your request. Online processing takes about 7 to 10 days; mail processing takes 2 to 3 weeks plus mail delivery time.
Do I need a Real ID to renew my license?
No. A standard Texas driver's license is still valid for driving. Real ID is required only if you want to use your license for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. If you want Real ID, you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship or legal residency — a passport, birth certificate, or immigration documents.
What if my address on file with DPS is wrong and I renew online?
Online renewal will send your new license to the address DPS has on file. If that address is wrong, your license may go to the wrong place. Before you renew online, log into your DPS account or call DPS to confirm your address is correct. If it is wrong, renew by mail or in person instead and include proof of your correct address.