How to Replace a Lost Driver's License in Texas

You can replace a lost Texas driver's license in person at a DPS office or by mail, and the process takes about two to three weeks

A lost driver's license in Texas means a trip to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), either in person or through the mail. The in-person route is faster — you can walk out with a temporary paper license the same day — but requires a visit to a DPS office during business hours. The mail route takes longer but works if you cannot get to an office or prefer to handle it remotely. Either way, you will need to bring or send proof of identity and residency, pay a replacement fee, and answer questions about whether the license was lost or stolen.

Texas does not offer online replacement for lost licenses, and there is no expedited plastic card option. Your temporary paper license is valid for driving and identification when ready, so you can use it while waiting for the permanent card to arrive by mail.

Key Takeaways

In-person replacement at a DPS office gives you a temporary paper license on the same day and a permanent card within two to three weeks.
You must bring an original or certified copy of a document proving your identity, such as a birth certificate, passport, or military ID.
Proof of Texas residency requires a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail with your current address dated within the last 60 days.
The replacement fee is $16 for a standard license and $32 for a Real ID-compliant license, payable by cash, check, or card at the office.
If your license was stolen rather than lost, file a police report and bring the report number when you explore.

What documents you need to bring in person

The DPS requires one document proving your identity and one proving your current Texas address. For identity, bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, U.S. passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. A photocopy of your old driver's license does not count as proof of identity — it counts as the document you are replacing. Expired identity documents are acceptable; the DPS does not require them to be current.

For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail (such as a tax notice or voter registration card) showing your name and current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A bank statement or credit card bill will not work. If you have moved recently and your utility bill still shows an old address, bring the new lease or a letter from your landlord on letterhead with your name, address, and the move-in date.

Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it, such as a Social Security card or tax return. You will also need to know your Texas driver's license number if you remember it, though the DPS can look it up by your name and date of birth.

In-person replacement at a DPS office

Find your nearest DPS office on the Texas DPS website under "Driver License Offices" and check the hours — most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some Saturday hours in larger cities. You do not need an appointment; walk-ins are accepted, though wait times vary. Offices in rural areas typically have shorter waits than those in Houston, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio.

When you arrive, take a number at the front desk and wait to be called. Tell the clerk you need to replace a lost license. The clerk will ask you to fill out Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License) or Form DL-43 (Renewal/Duplicate process), depending on whether your current license has expired. Hand over your identity and residency documents, your Social Security information, and the fee. The clerk will take your photo and fingerprints on the spot.

Before you leave, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. This temporary license has the same legal weight as a plastic card for driving, voting, or age verification. Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within that window, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to check the status.

Mailing in your replacement request

If you cannot visit an office, you can mail your request to the DPS. read Form DL-43 from the Texas DPS website, fill it out completely, and mail it along with certified copies of your identity and residency documents, a check or money order for the replacement fee, and a letter explaining that your license was lost (or stolen, with the police report number if you have one).

Send the packet to the address listed on the form — currently the DPS Driver License Division in Austin, though this can change. Include your phone number so the DPS can contact you if documents are missing or unclear. Processing by mail takes four to six weeks from the date the DPS receives your packet, plus mailing time in both directions. You will not receive a temporary license by mail, so you cannot drive legally until your permanent card arrives.

The mail route is riskier because documents can be lost in transit. Consider using certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the DPS received your packet. Keep copies of everything you send.

Fees and payment methods

A standard driver's license replacement costs $16. A Real ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star) costs $32. The difference is that a Real ID license meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings without a passport. If your lost license was already a Real ID, you can replace it with a standard license for $16, but you will not be able to use it for air travel after May 2025 without additional ID.

At a DPS office, you can pay by cash, check, or debit or credit card. By mail, send a check or money order only — the DPS does not accept card payments through the mail. Make the check payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety."

If your license was stolen instead of lost

A stolen license carries a small additional step. File a report with your local police department (or the sheriff's office if you live outside city limits) and ask for a report number. Bring this number when you visit a DPS office, or include it in your letter if you are mailing your request. The DPS uses the police report to flag your old license number in case someone tries to use it fraudulently.

You do not need to wait for the police report to be filed before you explore for a replacement — you can explore the same day you file the report and provide the number later if the DPS asks for it. However, having the number ready when you explore speeds up the process. If you discover your license was stolen after you have already reported it as lost, contact the DPS and provide the police report number.

What to do while you wait for your replacement

Your temporary paper license is valid for driving, so you can use it when ready. Keep it in your wallet or purse just as you would a plastic license. If you lose the temporary license before your permanent one arrives, return to the DPS office and request another temporary — there is no additional fee for this.

If you need to renew your license before your replacement arrives, you can renew online through the Texas DPS website if your current license has not been expired for more than two years. If it has been expired longer, you will need to visit an office in person. Your temporary paper license remains valid during the renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement the same day if I go in person?

You will receive a temporary paper license the same day, which is valid for driving and identification. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you need the plastic card faster, there is no expedited option through the DPS, but the temporary license has the same legal standing for all purposes.

Do I need a police report to replace a lost license?

No. A police report is only necessary if your license was stolen. For a lost license, you straightforward tell the DPS clerk it was lost, and they will process the replacement. If you later discover it was stolen, you can file a police report afterward and provide the number to the DPS.

What if my identity or residency documents are expired?

An expired birth certificate, passport, or utility bill is still acceptable as proof of identity or residency. The DPS does not require these documents to be current — only that they show your name and, for residency, your current address. A utility bill dated more than 60 days ago will not work for residency, but an expired passport will.

Can I replace my license online?

No. Texas does not offer online replacement for lost licenses. You must either visit a DPS office in person or mail your request. Online renewal is available only for licenses that are not lost and have not been expired for more than two years.

What happens if my replacement license arrives damaged or with errors?

Contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 with your license number and the issue. The DPS will send a corrected license at no charge. If the card is damaged, keep it and the replacement together until the new one arrives, then destroy the damaged one.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.