Texas will issue you a replacement license by mail or in person, and the process takes about two weeks if you go through the mail

If your Texas driver's license is lost, you have two paths: order a replacement online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, or visit a DPS office in person. The online route is faster for your time but takes longer to arrive — roughly 7 to 10 business days by mail. Walking into a DPS office means a wait in line but you leave with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed.

You do not need to take a new photo, pass a test, or renew your license early. A replacement is a straight reissue of your existing license with the same number, expiration date, and restrictions. The fee is $11 for a standard replacement, or $16 if you want it expedited by mail (arrives in 3 to 5 business days).

Key Takeaways

  • Order a replacement online at the Texas DPS website using your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • In-person replacement at a DPS office takes 30 minutes to an hour but gives you a temporary paper license on the spot.
  • Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days; expedited mail costs $5 more and arrives in 3 to 5 business days.
  • You keep your original license number and expiration date — this is a replacement, not a renewal.
  • If your license was stolen or you suspect fraud, report it to DPS and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.

Ordering online through the Texas DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS website and select "Order a Replacement License" under the Driver License section. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity against DPS records and then ask you to choose standard or expedited mail delivery.

Payment is by credit or debit card only — no cash or check. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Save this number; you can use it to track your replacement on the DPS website. Standard mail costs $11 and takes 7 to 10 business days. Expedited mail costs $16 and takes 3 to 5 business days.

The online system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the system cannot verify your identity, you will be directed to visit a DPS office in person instead.

Replacing your license in person at a DPS office

Find your nearest DPS driver license office on the Texas DPS website. Most offices do not take appointments for replacements — you walk in and take a number. Bring your Social Security number and proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you have another form of ID, bring that too, though it is not required for a replacement.

The staff will verify your identity, take a new photo (even though you are not renewing), and print a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and works everywhere a plastic license does — traffic stops, banks, bars, airports. Your permanent plastic card will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. The fee is $11, paid by cash, check, or card.

Wait times vary widely by office and time of day. Early morning on a weekday is usually faster than afternoon or weekend. Some offices post current wait times on their website or on a display in the lobby.

What to do if your license was stolen or you suspect fraud

If your license was stolen rather than straightforward lost, or if you think someone may use it fraudulently, call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 and report it. DPS can flag your license in their system so that if someone tries to use it, staff at a DPS office will be alerted. This does not prevent the theft but it creates a record.

You should also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can place an alert by calling one bureau; they will notify the other two. The alert lasts one year and is free.

If you see fraudulent accounts opened in your name, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. Keep copies of the DPS report, the fraud alert confirmation, and the FTC report together in case you need to dispute charges later.

Driving legally while you wait for your replacement

If you ordered online, you do not have a valid license to drive until your replacement arrives in the mail. Driving without a valid license is illegal in Texas, even if you have ordered a replacement. If you are stopped by police, you can show the confirmation email from DPS, but this does not may provide the officer will let you drive away — they may cite you for driving without a license.

If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, go to a DPS office in person and get the temporary paper license. The paper license is valid and legal to carry and use. Keep it in your wallet or car at all times while you are waiting for the plastic card.

Replacing your license if you have moved or changed your name

If you have moved since your license was issued, the replacement will be mailed to the address currently on file with DPS. If that address is wrong, update it before you order the replacement. You can update your address online at the Texas DPS website or in person at a DPS office.

If you have changed your name since your license was issued, you cannot order a replacement online. You must visit a DPS office in person and bring proof of the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The staff will take a new photo and issue a new license with your current name. The fee is still $11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with a screenshot of my DPS confirmation email?

No. A screenshot or printed confirmation email is not a valid license. You can show it to an officer to prove you have ordered a replacement, but you cannot legally drive without a physical license or a temporary paper license from a DPS office. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, visit a DPS office in person to get the temporary paper license.

What if my replacement arrives damaged or with the wrong information?

Contact the Texas DPS when ready at 1-888-589-6556 with your reference number and a photo of the damage or error. DPS will issue a corrected replacement at no charge. Bring the damaged license to a DPS office if you have one, or mail it back with a note explaining the problem.

How long does a replacement license stay valid?

Your replacement license has the same expiration date as your original license. If your original license was set to expire in 2027, your replacement also expires in 2027. You are not renewing early, so you do not get extra time.

Can I order a replacement if I am out of state?

Yes. You can order a replacement online from anywhere and have it mailed to any address in Texas. If you are out of state and need to drive in Texas before the replacement arrives, you will need to visit a Texas DPS office in person, which means traveling back to Texas.

What if I lost my license and my vehicle registration at the same time?

Handle them separately. Order your license replacement through DPS. For your vehicle registration, contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — they are a different agency. You can order a duplicate registration online or by mail through the DMV website.