Get a replacement license at your local DPS office with your ID and fee
If you've lost your driver's license in Texas, you can replace it at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. You'll need to bring an acceptable form of ID, pay a replacement fee (currently $25 for a standard license), and complete a short form. The process takes about 30 minutes on average, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
You do not need to retake the written or driving test unless your license has been expired for more than two years. If it expired within the last two years, you can straightforward pay the replacement fee and walk out with a new one.
Your replacement license will have the same number as your lost license and will be valid for the same expiration date as the original. Texas will mail it to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- Bring a current ID (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), your Social Security number, and $25 to any DPS office to replace a lost license.
- You do not need to retake any tests if your license expired less than two years ago.
- Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days and will have the same number as your lost one.
- If you need to drive before the replacement arrives, you can request a temporary paper license at the DPS office.
What ID documents the DPS office will accept
The DPS requires one form of primary identification to issue a replacement license. Primary documents include a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a state ID card, a military ID, or a tribal ID. If you don't have any of these, you can bring two secondary documents instead — such as a Social Security card, a utility bill, a bank statement, or a lease agreement.
Bring the original documents or certified copies. Photocopies are not accepted. If your birth certificate is from outside Texas, it must be certified by the state that issued it.
You'll also need to provide your Social Security number. If you don't have it memorized, bring your Social Security card or a document that shows it.
Finding a DPS office near you and what to expect
Texas has DPS offices in every major city and many smaller towns. You can find the nearest office and check current wait times on the DPS website at dps.texas.gov. Some offices allow you to schedule an appointment online, which can cut your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are always accepted, but you may wait 30 minutes to an hour during peak times (typically mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays).
When you arrive, you'll check in at the front desk and receive a number. You'll fill out form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) while you wait. A DPS employee will call your number, verify your information, take a new photo, and process your payment. Bring your documents and be ready to answer questions about your address and any traffic violations.
Some DPS offices are busier than others. If you have flexibility, visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning typically means shorter waits than Monday or Friday.
Getting a temporary license to drive while you wait
If you need to drive before your replacement license arrives by mail, ask the DPS employee for a temporary paper license before you leave the office. This is a printed document that serves as a valid license for 45 days. You must carry it with you whenever you drive — it is not valid without the physical paper.
The temporary license costs nothing extra and is issued on the spot. Police will accept it as proof of a valid license during traffic stops. Keep it in a safe place, as you cannot get a second copy if you lose it.
Replacing a license that was lost in a vehicle theft or accident
If your license was lost because your car was stolen or damaged in an accident, you can still replace it using the standard process above. You do not need a police report or insurance documentation — the DPS only needs your ID and fee.
However, if your vehicle was stolen, you should file a report with local police and notify your insurance company separately. That process is handled outside the DPS and does not affect your license replacement.
What happens if you cannot find your license before it expires
If your license expires before you replace it, you can still get a replacement at a DPS office, but the process changes slightly. If your license expired less than two years ago, you pay the standard $25 replacement fee and do not retake tests. If it expired more than two years ago, you must retake the written test and the driving test, and you'll pay the full license fee (currently $33 for a standard license).
To retake the tests, bring the same ID documents and Social Security number. The written test covers Texas traffic laws and takes about 20 minutes. The driving test is scheduled for a separate appointment, usually within one to two weeks.
Replacing a license if you've moved or changed your name
If you've moved since your license was issued, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The DPS will update your address on your replacement license at no extra cost.
If you've changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The DPS will issue a new license with your current name. There is no extra fee for a name change on a replacement license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my license online or by mail?
No. Texas requires you to appear in person at a DPS office to replace a lost license. You must bring your ID documents and have a new photo taken. There is no online or mail-in option for lost licenses.
What if I lost my license out of state?
You can still replace it at any Texas DPS office. Bring the same documents you would bring if you lost it in Texas. If you're currently out of state and cannot travel to Texas when ready, you can wait until you return and replace it then — there is no penalty for replacing a lost license late.
Do I have to pay if I lost my license due to a DPS error?
If the DPS made an error on your original license (such as a wrong address or name), they will replace it for free. Bring documentation of the error. If you straightforward lost the license, you pay the standard $25 replacement fee.
How long does a replacement license stay valid?
Your replacement license will be valid until the same expiration date as your original license. For example, if your lost license expired in 2027, your replacement will also expire in 2027. You do not get a new expiration date just because you replaced it.
What if someone finds my lost license and tries to use it?
Once you report it lost and receive a replacement, your old license number is deactivated in the DPS system. A police officer running the number will see that it is no longer valid. You do not need to file a police report for a lost license, but you can if you're concerned about identity theft.