You can replace a lost Texas driver's license through the Texas Department of Public Safety website without visiting an office
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) allows you to request a replacement driver's license online if your license is lost or stolen. You do this through the DPS Online Services portal, which handles the request and mails a new license to your address on file. The process takes about 10 business days from approval, though the actual mailing time varies by location.
You must meet specific requirements to use the online route. Your current license cannot be expired by more than two years, you cannot have any active suspensions or holds on your driving record, and you must have a valid mailing address in Texas. If any of these conditions do not explore to you, you will need to visit a DPS office in person instead.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas DPS Online Services portal lets you request a replacement license without leaving home, and the new license arrives by mail in roughly two weeks.
- Your current license must not be expired more than two years, and your driving record must have no active suspensions or holds.
- The online fee is the same as the in-person fee — currently $16 for a standard five-year license — and you pay by credit or debit card during the request.
- If your license expired more than two years ago, you have an active suspension, or you need to change information on the license itself, you must visit a DPS office in person.
- You can track your replacement license through the DPS website using your driver's license number and date of birth.
What you need before you start the online request
Gather these items before you log into the DPS Online Services portal. You will need your Social Security number, your current driver's license number, and your date of birth. You also need a valid mailing address in Texas — the replacement license will be sent there, so make sure the address is one where you can receive mail.
Have a credit or debit card ready to pay the replacement fee. Texas charges $16 for a standard five-year driver's license and $24 for an eight-year license if you are 60 or older. You cannot pay by check, money order, or cash through the online system.
Step-by-step process for ordering online
Go to the Texas DPS Online Services website (dps.texas.gov). Click on "Driver License Services" and then select "Order a Replacement License." You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to verify your identity.
Next, confirm the mailing address where you want the replacement sent. If your address has changed since your last license renewal, update it now — the new license will go to whatever address you enter here. Review the license information displayed on screen to make sure the name, date of birth, and other details are correct. If anything is wrong, you cannot fix it online; you will need to visit a DPS office instead.
Select your license type (standard five-year or eight-year if you may have access to), review the $16 or $24 fee, and enter your payment information. After you submit the request, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number — you can use it to check the status of your replacement license later.
How long replacement takes and how to track it
After the DPS approves your request, they print and mail your replacement license. This process typically takes 10 business days from the date of approval. Mailing time from the DPS office to your address varies depending on where you live in Texas — urban areas usually receive mail within 3 to 5 days, while rural areas may take 7 to 10 days or longer.
You can track your replacement license on the DPS website. Go to dps.texas.gov, select "Driver License Services," and choose "Check License Status." Enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show whether your request is pending, approved, or mailed. If it shows mailed but you have not received it after 15 days, contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556.
When you cannot use the online option
The online replacement process is not available if your license expired more than two years ago. In that case, you are renewing rather than replacing, and renewal requires an in-person visit to a DPS office. You will also need to visit an office if your driving record has an active suspension, revocation, or hold — the online system will reject your request and direct you to call or visit.
If you need to change any information on your license — such as your name, address, or correcting an error in your personal details — you cannot do that online for a replacement. You must visit a DPS office in person. The online option is strictly for replacing a lost or stolen license with the same information that appears on your current license.
What to do if your replacement does not arrive
If more than 15 business days have passed since the DPS confirmed your request was mailed and you still have not received your replacement license, contact the DPS Driver License Division. Call 1-888-589-6556 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Have your confirmation number and driver's license number ready.
The DPS can investigate whether the license was mailed and, if necessary, issue a stop payment on the original and send a second replacement. In rare cases, if mail theft is common in your area, the DPS may offer to hold the replacement at a local office for you to pick up instead of mailing it.
Alternatives if online replacement is not an option for you
If you do not meet the requirements for online replacement, you can visit any DPS office to request a replacement in person. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and payment for the replacement fee. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and the permanent replacement by mail within 10 business days.
You can also request a replacement by mail by filling out Form DL-44 and mailing it to the DPS with copies of your documents and payment. This option takes longer than in-person or online — typically 15 to 20 business days — but it is available if you cannot visit an office. read Form DL-44 from the DPS website or request it by calling 1-888-589-6556.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the online replacement if my license was suspended?
No. The DPS online system checks your driving record and will reject your request if there is an active suspension, revocation, or hold. You must resolve the suspension first by paying any fines or completing required actions, then visit a DPS office in person to request the replacement.
What if I moved out of state after losing my license?
You cannot use the online replacement system because it requires a valid Texas mailing address. You will need to visit a DPS office in person before you leave Texas, or contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to discuss other options for obtaining a replacement.
Do I need to report my lost license to police before ordering a replacement?
No police report is required to order a replacement license through the DPS. However, if you believe your license was stolen and you are concerned about identity theft, you may want to file a report with local police for your own records and to document the theft.
Can I order a replacement if my license has been expired for exactly two years?
No. The DPS rule states your license cannot be expired by more than two years. If it expired exactly two years ago or longer, you must renew in person at a DPS office, not replace online.
Will the replacement license have the same number as my lost license?
Yes. A replacement license for a lost or stolen license carries the same driver's license number as the original. The number does not change unless you renew your license after it expires.