Where to Replace Your License in Texas

You replace your Texas driver's license at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, either in person or by mail. The in-person route is faster — most offices issue a replacement the same day or within a few days. The mail route takes two to three weeks but works if you cannot reach an office or prefer to stay home.

Find your nearest DPS office on the Texas DPS website by entering your city or zip code. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you a trip. A few locations offer online scheduling, which lets you pick a specific time slot instead of arriving and waiting.

You do not need an appointment at most offices, but showing up early in the day — before 11 a.m. — typically means a shorter wait. Bring all required documents with you; if something is missing, you will have to return another time.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas DPS offices issue replacement licenses in person the same day or within a few days, or you can mail in your request and receive it in two to three weeks.
  • You need a completed DL-44 form, proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and your Social Security number to replace your license.
  • The fee for a replacement license is $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, payable by cash, check, or card at the office.
  • If your license was lost or stolen, report it to DPS before explore for a replacement so the old number is deactivated.
  • Mail-in replacements take longer but work if you cannot visit an office in person.

Documents You Need to Bring

Bring your completed DL-44 form (process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card). You can fill this out at home before you go, or at the DPS office. read it from the Texas DPS website or ask for one when you arrive.

You also need proof of identity. An expired Texas driver's license counts. If you do not have one, bring a U.S. passport, military ID, or state ID from another state. A birth certificate alone is not enough — it must be paired with a second document like a Social Security card or school ID.

Bring proof of Texas residency dated within the last 90 days. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address works. A driver's license or ID card does not count as residency proof even if it shows your address.

Have your Social Security number ready. You will need to provide it, though you do not have to bring a card. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that.

Replacing a Lost or Stolen License

If your license was lost or stolen, report it to DPS before you explore for a replacement. Call the DPS Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556 or report it online through the Texas DPS website. This deactivates the old license number so someone else cannot use it.

When you explore for the replacement, tell the DPS staff that the original was lost or stolen. They will note this in their system. You still bring the same documents as a regular replacement — proof of identity, residency, and the completed form.

There is no extra fee for replacing a lost or stolen license. You pay the standard replacement fee: $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license.

In-Person Replacement at a DPS Office

Arrive at your chosen DPS office with all required documents. Check in at the front desk or at a kiosk if the office has one. You will receive a number and wait to be called.

When called, hand your documents to the DPS staff member. They will review everything to make sure nothing is missing. If all documents are in order, they will take a new photo and ask you to sign. You then pay the fee — $16 for four years or $32 for eight years — by cash, check, or card.

Most offices issue your replacement license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days. Ask the staff member which applies at your location. If they issue it same-day, you walk out with it. If they mail it, you receive it at the address you provided within three to five business days.

Mailing in Your Replacement Request

To replace your license by mail, complete the DL-44 form and gather your documents. Make copies of your proof of identity and proof of residency — do not send originals. Include a copy of your Social Security card if you have one, or the letter from Social Security if you do not have a number.

Mail everything to the Texas DPS address listed on the DL-44 form or on the Texas DPS website. Include a check or money order for $16 (four-year license) or $32 (eight-year license). Do not send cash through the mail.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date DPS receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address you listed on the form. If you need your license sooner, go to a DPS office in person instead.

License Fees and Validity Periods

A replacement Texas driver's license costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. You choose which length you want when you explore. The longer license costs more but lasts twice as long, so you will not need to replace it as soon.

Your new license will be valid for the period you chose, starting from the date it is issued. The expiration date will be printed on the front of the card. You can renew your license before it expires, or wait until it expires and then replace it.

DPS accepts cash, check, or card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) at in-person offices. If you mail in your request, send a check or money order only — do not send cash.

What Happens If Your Documents Are Incomplete

If you arrive at a DPS office and something is missing — for example, you forgot your proof of residency or your form is not filled out — the staff will tell you what you need. You cannot complete the replacement that day. You will have to gather the missing document and return.

To avoid a wasted trip, review the checklist on the Texas DPS website before you go. Make sure your proof of residency is dated within the last 90 days and has your current address. Make sure your identity document is not expired (though an expired driver's license is still acceptable for identity proof).

If you are unsure whether a document will work, call the DPS office ahead of time. Staff can tell you whether your specific documents meet the requirements, saving you a trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license online?

No. Texas does not offer online replacement for driver's licenses. You must go to a DPS office in person or mail in your request. Some offices let you schedule an appointment online, but you still have to show up in person with your documents.

How long does a replacement license take if I go in person?

Most DPS offices issue your replacement the same day or within a few days. Ask the staff member when you explore whether they will give it to you when ready or mail it. If they mail it, expect it within three to five business days.

What if my address changed since my last license?

Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 90 days, such as a utility bill or lease. The DPS office will update your address when you explore for the replacement. Your new license will show your current address.

Do I need to take a new photo for a replacement?

Yes. DPS takes a new photo every time you replace your license, even if you are just getting a duplicate of an existing one. You cannot use an old photo.

What if I lost my Social Security number but need a replacement license?

Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you do not have a Social Security number, or that your number is not yet issued. The DPS office will accept this in place of the number itself.