What to bring when you renew in person
To renew your Texas driver's license at a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, you need proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. Bring your current license, a birth certificate or passport, and a recent utility bill or lease showing your current address. You will also need to pass a vision test and have your photo taken.
If your name has changed since your last license, bring the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you cannot renew by mail; you must go in person and pass a written test and road test.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your current license, birth certificate or passport, proof of address, and be ready to provide your Social Security number at a DPS office.
- Standard licenses can be renewed by mail or online if you meet age and medical requirements, but CDLs require an in-person visit.
- Renewal fees are $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.
- Processing takes about two weeks by mail and a few days if you renew online, but in-person renewals are usually completed the same day.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
Renewing by mail instead of in person
You can renew by mail if your license is not expired, you are between 18 and 79 years old, and you have no medical conditions that restrict your driving. Mail your current license, a completed process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-43), and a check or money order to the DPS address listed on the form. Include a copy of proof of residency if your address has changed.
The DPS will mail your new license back to you in about two weeks. You cannot renew by mail if you need to update your address, change your name, or correct information on your license — those changes require an in-person visit.
Renewing online through the DPS website
Texas allows online renewal for standard driver's licenses if you meet the same age and medical requirements as mail renewal. Go to the DPS website, enter your license number and date of birth, and follow the prompts to upload a new photo or use the one on file. You will pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card.
Online renewal is faster than mail — your new license ships within a few business days. However, you cannot use online renewal if your address has changed, your name is different, or you have a CDL. If you need to make any updates to your license information, you must renew in person at a DPS office.
Renewal fees and how long processing takes
A four-year license costs $25 and an eight-year license costs $50. You pay at the DPS office when you renew in person. If you renew by mail, send a check or money order with your process. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only.
In-person renewals are usually finished the same day, though some offices have wait times during busy hours. Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the DPS receives your process. Online renewal is faster — your license ships within a few business days. Check the DPS website for your local office's current wait times before you go.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than two years
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to a DPS office in person, bring all the documents listed above, and retake the written knowledge test. You will also need to pass the vision test and have a new photo taken.
The written test covers Texas traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the Texas Driver's Handbook, which is free on the DPS website. Most people pass on the first try if they review the handbook before the test.
Updating your address or name during renewal
If you have moved or changed your name, you must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and a document proving your name change if applicable. The fee is the same as a standard renewal.
You cannot update your address or name by mail or online. If you try to mail in a renewal with a new address, the DPS will send your new license to your old address on file, and you will have to go to an office to correct it. It is faster to do it right the first time.
Documents that count as proof of identity and residency
For proof of identity, the DPS accepts a current or expired passport, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or military ID. Your current Texas driver's license also counts. For proof of residency, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government document showing your name and current address. The document must be dated within 90 days.
If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name, other documents work: a property tax statement, homeowners insurance policy, or a letter from your employer on company letterhead with your address. The DPS website has a full list of acceptable documents. Bring the original or a certified copy — photocopies are not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is already expired?
Yes. If it expired less than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online. If it expired more than two years ago, you must go to a DPS office in person and retake the written test. Bring all required documents and be prepared to spend 30 minutes to an hour at the office.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
A current or expired passport works as proof of identity instead. If you do not have either, you can order a birth certificate from the Texas Vital Statistics Unit or the state where you were born. The DPS website lists other acceptable identity documents.
How do I know which DPS office is closest to me?
The DPS website has a location finder where you enter your zip code and see all nearby offices, their hours, and current wait times. Some offices are busier than others — going early in the morning or on a weekday usually means a shorter wait than going on a Saturday afternoon.
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will expire one year after your current license would have expired. There is no advantage to renewing early unless you need to update your address or name.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew by mail or online without your current license number. Go to a DPS office in person with proof of identity and residency. The office will issue a replacement license with the same expiration date as your lost one, or you can pay for a renewal at the same time.