Where to renew and what documents you need
In Dallas, you renew your driver's license at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. The main Dallas location is the DPS Driver License Division office at 4413 S. Westmoreland Road, but there are several other DPS offices in the Dallas area if that location doesn't work for you. You can find the full list and hours on the Texas DPS website.
Before you go, gather these documents: your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 90 days), and proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change. If you're renewing by mail or online, the requirements are slightly different—more on that below.
You do not need to take a new written test or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than two years, or unless DPS requests one. Most renewals are straightforward: you show your documents, have your photo taken, and pay the fee.
Key Takeaways
- Texas lets you renew in person at a DPS office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Texas DPS website if your license is not expired.
- You will need your current license, proof of residency dated within 90 days, and proof of your Social Security number.
- In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is, and you get your new license the same day.
- Mail and online renewals cost less than in-person renewal and take about two to three weeks, but you cannot use them if your license has been expired for more than two years.
- Your new license is valid for six years (or eight years if you are over 85), and you can renew up to one year before it expires.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
Walking in to a DPS office is the most common way to renew. Bring your documents, take a number, and wait. The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your payment. You leave with your new license in hand the same day. The fee for a six-year renewal is $33 (or $16 if you are renewing early, before your current license expires). If you are over 85, your license lasts eight years and costs $48.
Timing matters. DPS offices are busiest on weekday mornings and right after the first of the month. If you go on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, you will usually wait less. Some Dallas-area offices have longer hours on certain days—check the DPS website for the office nearest you. You can also call ahead to ask how busy they are, though they cannot hold your place in line.
If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must renew in person and cannot use mail or online renewal. The same applies if your license was suspended or revoked at any point.
Renewing by mail
You can renew by mail if your license is not currently expired and you have not renewed by mail in the last two times you renewed. Mail renewal costs $16 and takes about two to three weeks. You will not get a new photo—your current photo stays on your license.
To renew by mail, read the process for Renewal of Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-44) from the Texas DPS website, fill it out, and mail it with a copy of your proof of residency and proof of Social Security number to the address on the form. Include a check or money order for $16. Do not send cash. Your new license will arrive by mail.
Mail renewal is useful if you cannot get to an office during business hours or want to avoid the wait. The downside is that you cannot choose your photo, and if something goes wrong with your process, DPS will mail you a notice rather than telling you in person.
Renewing online
Texas lets you renew online through the Texas DPS website if your license is not expired and you meet a few other conditions: your license must not have been suspended or revoked, you cannot have a CDL, and you must have a valid email address. Online renewal costs $16 and takes about two to three weeks for your new license to arrive by mail.
Go to the Texas DPS website, find the online renewal option, and follow the steps. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will also need to upload a photo of yourself or use your current photo. Pay by debit card or credit card. Once you submit, you will get a confirmation email. Your new license will arrive in the mail.
Online renewal is the fastest way to start the process if you are at home, but remember that your new license still takes two to three weeks to arrive. If you need to drive before then, your current license stays valid until it expires.
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. You will need to take a written test and a vision test, just as if you were getting your first license. You will also need to bring all the same documents: current or expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
The written test covers Texas traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the Texas DPS Driver's Manual, which is free on the DPS website. The vision test checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. If you fail either test, you can retake it the same day or come back another day.
Bring extra time for this visit—it will take longer than a standard renewal because of the testing. The fee is still $33 for a six-year license.
Fees and how long your license lasts
A standard six-year driver's license costs $33 if you renew in person. If you renew by mail or online, it costs $16. If you are over 85, your license lasts eight years and costs $48 in person or $24 by mail or online. You can renew up to one year before your current license expires, so there is no rush to wait until the last minute.
Your new license will have an expiration date printed on it. Mark it on your calendar or set a phone reminder a few months before it expires so you do not accidentally let it lapse. If your license expires while you are out of state or out of the country, you can still renew by mail or online when you return, as long as it has not been expired for more than two years.
Changing your address or name during renewal
If you have moved since your last license, you must provide proof of your new address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days all work. If you are renewing in person, bring the document with you. If you are renewing by mail or online, include a copy.
If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You will need this whether you renew in person, by mail, or online. If you are renewing in person, show the original; if by mail or online, send a copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it has already expired?
No. Online renewal is only for licenses that are still valid. If your license has expired, you must renew in person at a DPS office. If it expired more than two years ago, you will also need to take a written test and vision test.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew in person?
You get your new license the same day you go to the DPS office. If you renew by mail or online, your new license arrives in about two to three weeks. Your current license stays valid until it expires, so you can drive while you wait.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Only if you renew in person. Mail and online renewal use your current photo. If you want a new photo, you must go to a DPS office.
What if I lost my Social Security card?
You can use other documents as proof of your Social Security number: a W-2, 1099, tax return, or Social Security statement. You do not need the card itself.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license by mail or online?
No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a DPS office. You will also need to take a written test and vision test, and you may need to take a skills test depending on your CDL class.