Texas driver's license replacement costs $16 for a standard five-year license or $32 for an eight-year license

The Texas Department of Public Safety charges a flat fee to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license. You cannot pay less by going through a different office or waiting for a sale — the price is the same statewide. The fee covers the license itself and the processing, and you pay it when you submit your request, whether you do it in person, by mail, or online.

The difference between the two prices is how long the license remains valid. A five-year license costs less but expires sooner; an eight-year license costs more but lasts longer. Most people choose based on how often they want to repeat the replacement process, not on any other factor. If you are under 18, the rules are different — Texas issues licenses valid until age 18 or 21 depending on your current age, and the fee structure changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard replacement costs $16 for a five-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, paid at the time you request the replacement.
  • You can replace your license online through the Texas DPS website, by mail, or in person at a driver's license office — the fee is the same for all three methods.
  • Online replacement is the fastest option if your license was lost or stolen and you have not had a major change to your name or address since it was issued.
  • If you need the license urgently, paying extra for expedited processing is not an option — standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days by mail or online, or same-day in person.
  • Replacement fees do not cover a new photo; if you want a new photo on your license, you must renew instead, which costs more and requires an in-person visit.

How to replace your license online for $16 or $32

The Texas DPS website lets you replace a lost or stolen license without leaving home. Go to the DPS driver's license services page, select "Replace Lost or Stolen License," and follow the prompts. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number (or the number from your old license if you still have it). You will also choose whether you want the five-year or eight-year license at that point — the system shows you the fee before you pay.

Payment is by credit or debit card only; the DPS does not accept cash, check, or bank transfer online. After you pay, the system generates a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If your address has changed since your license was issued, you cannot use the online method — you must go in person or mail a form to update it first.

Replacing your license in person at a DPS office

Walking into a driver's license office and replacing your license the same day costs the same $16 or $32 — you do not pay extra for speed. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your old license if you still have it. If you do not have your old license, bring a second form of ID like a passport or military ID.

Wait times at DPS offices vary widely by location and time of day. Offices in smaller towns often have no wait; offices in major cities can require 30 minutes to two hours. You can check the wait time for your nearest office on the DPS website before you go. Payment is cash, check, or card — the office accepts all three. You walk out with your temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.

Replacing your license by mail

You can mail a replacement request to the DPS along with a check or money order for $16 or $32. read the DL-44 form from the Texas DPS website, fill it out completely, and mail it with your payment to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your driver's license (front and back) or another form of ID. Do not send cash through the mail.

Processing by mail takes 7 to 10 business days after the DPS receives your envelope, plus mail delivery time both ways — plan for two to three weeks total. This method is slower than online or in-person replacement, but it works if you cannot visit an office and prefer not to use the online system. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.

When replacement costs more: renewal instead of replacement

If you want a new photo on your license, you cannot straightforward replace it — you must renew it instead. Renewal costs $32 for a five-year license or $64 for an eight-year license, which is double the replacement fee. Renewal requires an in-person visit to a DPS office and includes a new photo, a new address if yours has changed, and a new signature. Replacement keeps your old photo and information exactly as it was.

Many people confuse the two because they sound similar. The rule is straightforward: replacement is for a lost, stolen, or damaged license with no changes to your information; renewal is for updating your information or photo, or when your license has expired. If you are not sure which one you need, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 and they will tell you based on your situation.

What happens if your license was damaged or defaced

A damaged license — torn, faded, or unreadable — counts as a replacement, not a renewal, and costs $16 or $32. You do not need to explain why it is damaged or provide proof. Bring the damaged license with you if you go in person, or mail it with your form if you are replacing by mail. If you are replacing online, you can skip this step since the system cannot process a physical license anyway.

If your license is water-damaged, cracked, or the magnetic strip no longer works, the DPS will issue you a new one at the replacement price. The office or mail center will keep your old license when you turn it in, so you do not need to destroy it yourself.

Replacement fees for drivers under 18

Texas issues licenses to drivers under 18 with different expiration dates and fees. A driver's license for someone under 18 is valid until their 18th birthday or 21st birthday depending on when they were born, not for a fixed five or eight years. The replacement fee for an under-18 license is $16, regardless of how long until it expires. When you turn 18 or 21, you must renew (not replace) to get an adult license, and that renewal costs $32 or $64 depending on the term you choose.

If a minor's license is lost, stolen, or damaged, the replacement process is the same as for adults — online, by mail, or in person — and the $16 fee applies. Parents or guardians do not need to be present for an in-person replacement if the minor is 16 or older.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a temporary license while I wait for my replacement?

Yes, but only if you replace it in person at a DPS office. You receive a paper temporary license valid for 45 days on the spot. If you replace online or by mail, you do not get a temporary — you wait for the permanent license to arrive by mail. If you need to drive before it arrives, you may be able to use your old license as proof of identity if it is not damaged, but check with local law enforcement first.

Do I have to pay the fee again if the DPS loses my replacement in the mail?

No. If your replacement license does not arrive within 10 business days of the DPS mailing it, contact the DPS and they will reissue it at no charge. Keep your confirmation number from when you paid — you will need it to file a claim. The DPS tracks mail and can usually tell you whether it was delivered.

What if my name has changed since my license was issued?

A replacement keeps your old name on the license. If you have married, divorced, or legally changed your name, you must renew instead of replace, and you will need to bring a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Renewal costs $32 or $64 depending on the term, and requires an in-person visit.

Can I replace my license if it expired?

No. An expired license cannot be replaced — it must be renewed. Renewal costs more than replacement and requires an in-person visit to a DPS office. You can renew online if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you have not had a major change to your information, but the fee is still $32 or $64, not the replacement price.

Is there a way to pay less than $16 for a replacement?

No. The $16 and $32 fees are set by Texas state law and do not vary by location, method, or circumstance. There are no discounts, no payment plans, and no alternative pricing. The only way to pay less is to wait until your current license expires and renew it at the same time you replace it, but that is not possible if your license is lost or stolen.