How to Renew Your Texas Driver's License Online

You can renew your Texas driver's license online if you meet a few basic requirements

The Texas Department of Public Safety lets you renew your driver's license through their website without visiting an office, as long as your license is not expired by more than two years and you have no medical suspensions or disqualifications on your record. The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes, costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal, and you pay by debit or credit card. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to change your name or address, if you have certain medical conditions flagged in the system, or if you have an active suspension. In those cases, you must visit a DPS office in person.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works only if your license expired within the last two years and you have no medical holds or suspensions.
The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years, paid by debit or credit card at checkout.
Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up in person from an office.
You will need your current Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth to start the renewal.
If your license has been expired for more than two years or you have a suspension, you must renew in person at a DPS office instead.

Check whether you are allowed to renew online

Before you start the online process, confirm that your license meets the requirements. Your license must have expired no more than two years ago. If it expired in 2022 or later, you can renew online. If it expired before 2022, you must go to a DPS office.

You also cannot have any medical suspensions or disqualifications on your driving record. The system will tell you when ready if you do when you enter your information. If you have a suspension for any reason—unpaid tickets, child support, or a medical condition—you must clear it before renewing, and you will need to do so in person at a DPS office.

Check your current license to see the expiration date. It appears in the lower right corner of the front of the card. If you are unsure whether you have a suspension, you can look it up on the Texas DPS website by entering your license number and date of birth, or you can call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556.

Gather your information before you begin

Have these items ready before you go to the renewal website: your current Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You will also need a debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee. The system does not accept cash, checks, or other payment methods.

Make sure the address on file with the DPS is correct. If you have moved since your last renewal, you cannot change your address online—you will need to visit a DPS office in person. The new license will be mailed to the address in the system, so if it is wrong, your license will go to the old address.

Go to the Texas DPS online renewal portal and enter your details

Open a web browser and go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website at dps.texas.gov. Look for the section labeled "Driver License" and select "Renew Your License Online." You will be taken to a page that asks you to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Type this information exactly as it appears on your license and in the system. If you make a mistake—for example, entering your full Social Security number instead of just the last four digits—the system will reject your entry and ask you to try again. Once you enter all three pieces of information correctly, the system will pull up your record and show you a summary of what is on file.

Review your information and choose your renewal length

The system will display your current name, address, and license information. Look it over carefully. If anything is wrong—your name is misspelled, your address is outdated, or your height or eye color is incorrect—do not proceed online. Close the browser and visit a DPS office to make corrections in person.

If everything is correct, you will see two options: renew for four years at $16 or renew for eight years at $32. Choose the length you want. The four-year renewal is cheaper but you will need to renew again sooner. The eight-year renewal costs more but lasts longer. Select your choice and move to the payment screen.

Pay the renewal fee and submit your request

Enter your debit or credit card information on the find payment page. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Do not close the browser or navigate away from the page while the payment is processing—wait for the confirmation screen to appear.

Once your payment goes through, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write this number down or take a screenshot. The system will also send a confirmation email to the address on file with the DPS. Keep both for your records. Your renewal request has now been submitted to the DPS.

Wait for your new license to arrive by mail

Your renewed license will be mailed to the address in the DPS system within 7 to 10 business days. This timeline does not include weekends or holidays. If you are renewing near a holiday, the wait may be slightly longer.

You can continue to drive on your old license while you wait for the new one to arrive. Your old license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it, even though you have already paid for the renewal. Once the new license arrives, destroy the old one by cutting it in half or shredding it.

If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 with your confirmation number. Have your old license and the confirmation email ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my address has changed since my last renewal?

You cannot change your address online. You must visit a DPS office in person to update your address and renew your license at the same time. Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and a form of identification.

Can I renew online if my license has been expired for more than two years?

No. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS office. You will need to pass a vision test and may need to retake the written test depending on how long it has been expired.

What happens if my payment fails?

If your card is declined, the system will tell you when ready and will not submit your renewal. Try again with a different card, or visit a DPS office to renew in person and pay by cash, check, or card.

Can I pick up my renewed license at a DPS office instead of waiting for it in the mail?

No. Online renewals are mailed only. If you need your license faster, you must renew in person at a DPS office, where you can receive it the same day or within a few days depending on the office's workload.

What if I made a mistake on my renewal and need to correct it?

If you submitted your renewal but noticed an error before your new license arrived, contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 with your confirmation number. They may be able to stop the renewal and let you start over, but this depends on how far along the process is.

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.