Texas driver's licenses renew every 8 years, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

Your Texas driver's license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the front. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, though you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process. You have three main routes: renew online through the DPS website if you meet certain conditions, mail in your renewal if you are over 79 or have specific circumstances, or visit a DPS office in person. Which route you take depends on how much time you have, whether your address or name has changed, and whether you need a new photo.

The online route is fastest if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if your license is not expired yet, you have a valid Texas license, your address has not changed, and you do not need a new photo. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $25 for an 8-year renewal. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If your address changed, your name changed, or your license is already expired, you must renew in person or by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the DPS website works only if your license is not yet expired, your address has not changed, and you do not need a new photo.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS office takes 30 to 45 minutes and requires a valid ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number.
  • Mail-in renewal is available if you are over 79 years old or have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting an office, and takes 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Texas charges $25 for an 8-year renewal, $16 for a 5-year renewal if you are 85 or older, and does not charge for renewals if you are 85 or older.

Renewing online through the DPS website

The DPS online renewal portal is at dps.texas.gov. You will need your current Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system verifies your identity using this information and then asks you to review your current license details. If everything is correct, you pay the $25 fee by credit or debit card and submit. You do not upload documents or take a new photo online.

Your new license is mailed to the address on file. If you moved recently and updated your address with the DPS already, the license goes to your new address. If you have not updated your address yet, the license goes to your old address and you will need to pick it up or have it forwarded. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the time DPS processes your payment. Expedited delivery is not available for online renewals.

Online renewal fails if your license is expired, your address has changed since your last renewal, or if the system flags your record for any reason. If you see an error message, you will need to renew in person at a DPS office instead. The website tells you which DPS office is nearest to you and their hours.

Renewing in person at a DPS office

In-person renewal is required if your license is expired, your address or name has changed, you need a new photo, or you want to change your gender marker. You can walk in to any DPS office during business hours, though wait times vary widely. Some offices are busier on certain days and times. The DPS website shows wait times for each office in real time, updated every 15 minutes. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon typically means shorter waits than midday or Friday.

Bring your current Texas driver's license or ID, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number or ITIN. If your name has changed since your last renewal, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DPS office staff will take a new photo and verify your information. The entire process takes 30 to 45 minutes on average.

You pay at the counter when you finish. An 8-year renewal costs $25. If you are 85 or older, renewal is free. If you are between 80 and 84, you can choose a 5-year renewal for $16 or an 8-year renewal for $25. You receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your new plastic license is printed and mailed. Your permanent license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

Renewing by mail if you are over 79 or have a medical condition

Mail-in renewal is available only if you are 80 or older, or if you have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting a DPS office. To renew by mail, you must request a renewal process from the DPS by phone at 1-844-DPS-5555 or through the DPS website. You cannot start a mail renewal without first requesting the process form.

Once you receive the process, fill it out completely and include a copy of your current license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or ITIN. Mail the completed process and documents to the address shown on the form. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date DPS receives your envelope. Your new license is mailed to you when processing is complete. If you have a medical condition, you may need to include a letter from your doctor explaining why you cannot visit an office in person.

What happens if your license is already expired

You cannot drive legally with an expired license, even if you have applied for renewal. If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead, which requires taking the written test and vision test again. If your license expired less than two years ago, you can still renew it, but you must do so in person at a DPS office or by mail. Online renewal is not available for expired licenses.

When you renew an expired license in person, bring the same documents as a regular in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of address, and your Social Security number or ITIN. The DPS will take a new photo and issue you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on the temporary license during this time.

Changing your address, name, or gender marker during renewal

If your address has changed, you must update it before or during renewal. Online renewal will not work if your address is different from what is on file. If you renew in person, tell the DPS office staff about your address change and bring proof of your new address. The new address appears on your renewed license. If you are renewing by mail and your address has changed, include a note with your process explaining the change and include proof of your new address.

Name changes require in-person renewal or mail renewal. Bring a certified copy of the document showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DPS office will update your record and print your new name on your renewed license. Gender marker changes also require in-person renewal. You can change your gender marker to M, F, or X (non-binary) by providing a signed statement at the DPS office. No medical documentation is required.

Costs and payment methods

A standard 8-year renewal costs $25. If you are 85 or older, renewal is free. If you are between 80 and 84, you can renew for 5 years at $16 or 8 years at $25. Payment methods depend on how you renew. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Mail-in renewal requires a check or money order made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The DPS does not accept payment plans or installments. You must pay the full renewal fee at the time of renewal. If you are renewing in person and do not have the exact amount, DPS offices can make change. There are no additional fees for expedited processing, name changes, address changes, or gender marker changes — these are included in the renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license if I live out of state?

Yes. If you are a Texas resident living temporarily out of state, you can renew online or by mail. Online renewal works if your license is not expired and your address has not changed. If you have moved out of state, you must renew by mail by requesting an process from the DPS first.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Online and in-person renewals take 7 to 10 business days by standard mail. Mail-in renewals take 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DPS receives your process. You can drive on a temporary paper license issued in person for 30 days while you wait for your permanent license.

What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?

You cannot renew a lost license online. You must visit a DPS office in person and request a replacement. Bring proof of your identity, proof of your address, and your Social Security number or ITIN. The replacement and renewal are processed together, and you pay one fee of $25 for an 8-year license.

Do I have to take the written test again when I renew?

No. Renewal does not require a written test or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than two years. If your license expired less than two years ago, you renew without retesting. If it expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new license and pass both tests.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. Online renewal, in-person renewal, and mail-in renewal all accept early renewals. Your new license will have a new expiration date eight years from the date you renew.