What to bring to the Texas DPS office
To renew your Texas driver's license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) accepts a limited list of documents for each category, and bringing the wrong papers will delay your renewal.
For proof of identity, bring your current Texas driver's license, passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate. If your current license is expired, it still works as proof of identity. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a combination of documents like a high school diploma, college transcript, or marriage certificate — but the DPS website lists which combinations work, so check before you go.
For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill in your name with your current Texas address. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. A bank statement, insurance bill, or government mail also works. You need only one document.
Bring your Social Security number written down or memorized — you will enter it at the DPS office. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring one proof of identity (current license, passport, or birth certificate), one proof of residency dated within 30 days (utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number.
- You can renew in person at any Texas DPS office, by mail if your license is not suspended and you meet age and vision requirements, or online through the DPS website if you renewed online last time.
- In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes at the office; mail renewal takes two to three weeks after the DPS receives your process.
- The renewal fee is $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card at the office.
- You can renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
Walk into any Texas DPS driver's license office with your documents and take a number. You will wait your turn, then sit with a clerk who will check your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to sign the digital screen. The whole visit usually takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on how busy the office is.
Bring cash or a debit or credit card to pay the fee on the spot. You will receive your new license in the mail within two weeks. Some offices are busier than others — the DPS website shows wait times for each location, updated throughout the day. Going early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon usually means a shorter wait than lunch hour or Saturday.
If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, you must wear them during the photo. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting an office, you can request a mobile unit visit or a home visit through the DPS, but this requires advance planning and approval.
Renewing by mail
You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended, you are between 18 and 79 years old, and you do not need to change your address or name. You also must have renewed by mail or online the last time your license came up for renewal — if you renewed in person last time, you must renew in person this time.
read the renewal process from the Texas DPS website (form DL-44) or request one by phone at 1-888-589-6789. Fill it out, include a check or money order for the fee, and mail it with your proof of residency to the address on the form. Do not send your current license unless the form tells you to.
The DPS will mail your new license back to you within two to three weeks of receiving your process. Your current license stays valid until the new one arrives, so you can keep driving. If you need your license sooner, renew in person instead.
Renewing online
You can renew online through the Texas DPS website if you renewed online the last time your license came up for renewal. You must be between 18 and 79 years old, your license cannot be suspended, and you cannot change your address or name online.
Log into your DPS account on the Texas DPS website and follow the prompts to upload a photo, confirm your information, and pay the fee by card. The system will mail your new license within two weeks. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything in.
If you have never renewed online before, you must renew in person or by mail the first time. After that, you can use the online option for future renewals if you meet the requirements.
When your license is expired or about to expire
You can renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last day. Renewing early means you will have your new license before the old one runs out and you will not accidentally drive on an expired license.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew using the same process — bring the same documents and follow the same steps. An expired license is still valid proof of identity at the DPS office. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, you may need to take a written test and vision test in addition to renewing, so check with the DPS office first.
If you lost your license or it was stolen, you cannot renew it — you must get a replacement. A replacement costs the same as a renewal and follows the same process, but you will need to report the loss or theft to the DPS.
Fees and payment methods
A four-year Texas driver's license costs $25. An eight-year license costs $50. You choose which length you want when you renew. The fee is the same whether you renew in person, by mail, or online.
At the DPS office, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. If you renew by mail, send a check or money order — do not send cash. If you renew online, pay by card through the website.
Some DPS offices accept payment plans if you cannot pay the full fee at once, but this varies by location. Call the office before you go to ask whether they offer this option.
What happens after you renew
After you renew in person, you will receive your new license in the mail within two weeks. Your old license is no longer valid once the new one arrives, so destroy it or keep it as a souvenir — the DPS does not require you to return it.
If you renewed by mail or online, the same timeline applies. Your new license will have a new expiration date printed on it — usually four or eight years from the date you renewed, depending on which length you chose.
If you move to a different address before your new license arrives, you can update your address online through the DPS website or at any DPS office. This does not cost extra and does not delay your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than two years?
You can renew it, but the DPS may require you to pass a written knowledge test and a vision test in addition to the renewal process. Contact your local DPS office before you go to find out whether you will need to take these tests. If you do, you must renew in person — you cannot renew by mail or online.
What if I changed my name since my last license?
You must renew in person and bring proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew by mail or online if your name has changed. Bring the name-change document along with your other proof of identity and residency.
Do I need a new photo if I renew by mail?
No. If you renew by mail, the DPS will use the photo from your current license. If you renew in person or online, you will provide a new photo — in person, the DPS takes it for you; online, you upload one yourself.
What if my address changed since I got my current license?
Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill or lease dated within 30 days) along with your other documents. If you renew in person, the clerk will update your address on the spot. If you renew by mail, write your new address on the process form. You cannot change your address online.
Can someone else pick up my renewed license for me?
No. The DPS mails your new license directly to the address on your process. You cannot have someone else pick it up at the office. If you move before your license arrives, you can update your address online or at a DPS office so it gets mailed to the correct place.