You can change your Texas driver's license address online through the Texas Department of Public Safety website, but only if your license is current and you meet a few specific conditions
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you update your address online without visiting a driver's license office, as long as your license hasn't expired and you're not changing your name, gender marker, or other details that require an in-person visit. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $11. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license is expired, suspended, or you need to change anything beyond your address, you'll need to go to a DPS office in person. The same applies if you're moving out of state or if your current address on file is more than 30 days old and you haven't updated it yet.
Key Takeaways
- Address changes online work only if your Texas driver's license is currently valid and you're not changing your name, gender marker, or other personal information.
- The online change costs $11 and takes about 10 minutes through the DPS website; your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- You'll need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth to start the online process.
- If your license is expired or suspended, you must visit a DPS office in person instead of using the online option.
- Texas law requires you to notify DPS of an address change within 30 days of moving, whether you do it online or in person.
What the Texas DPS online address change system requires
To use the online system, you need your current Texas driver's license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You'll also need a valid email address where DPS can send you a confirmation. Have your new address ready before you start—the system won't let you proceed without it.
Your license must not be expired. If it expired within the last year, you can renew it online at the same time you change your address, but that costs more ($27 instead of $11) and takes longer. If your license expired more than a year ago, the online renewal option is not available and you must visit a DPS office.
The system also won't work if you're changing your name, adding or removing a gender marker, updating your organ donor status, or correcting information like your date of birth. Those changes require an in-person appointment at a DPS office.
How to change your address through the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Online Services" section. Select "Change Address" from the menu. You'll be taken to a login page where you enter your driver's license number and date of birth. DPS will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history or other personal records.
Once you're logged in, enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your license. Double-check the spelling and apartment or suite number if you have one. Review the information on the confirmation screen before you submit. After you submit, you'll see a confirmation number—write it down or take a screenshot.
Pay the $11 fee using a credit or debit card. DPS will send a confirmation email to the address you provided. Your new license will be mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.
When you must visit a DPS office instead
If your license is expired, suspended, or cancelled, you cannot use the online address change system. You'll need to make an appointment at a DPS office and bring your expired license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and a form of identification. The office visit takes longer and may cost more depending on what you're doing.
You also must visit in person if you're changing your name, updating your gender marker, or correcting information that was wrong when your license was issued. These changes require documents like a marriage certificate, court order, or birth certificate, and a DPS employee must verify them in front of you.
If you've moved out of state, you cannot renew or change your address on a Texas license online. You'll need to explore for a license in your new state instead.
Proof of residency and why DPS asks for it
When you change your address online, DPS doesn't ask you to upload proof of residency because the system verifies your identity through credit history and personal questions. However, keep a copy of your proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days) in case DPS contacts you to confirm the change.
If you visit a DPS office to change your address, you must bring proof of residency. DPS uses this to confirm you actually live at the address you're claiming. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail addressed to you at your new address all work. The document must be dated within 90 days of your visit.
What happens after you submit your address change online
DPS processes online address changes within 1 to 2 business days. Your new license is printed and mailed to your new address. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the time DPS mails it, though it can take longer depending on your location and mail volume.
You can continue to use your old license with the old address until your new license arrives. There's no grace period after your new license arrives—you should start using the new one right away. If your new license doesn't arrive within 14 business days, contact DPS to report it.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives and you're worried about the address mismatch, carry the confirmation email or confirmation number from your online change. It shows you've notified DPS of your move and are in compliance with Texas law.
Texas law on address change important date
Texas Transportation Code Section 521.054 requires you to notify DPS of an address change within 30 days of moving. This applies whether you change your address online or in person. If you move and don't update your address within 30 days, you're technically in violation of state law, though enforcement is rare unless you're stopped by police.
The 30-day clock starts on the day you move, not the day you change your address. So if you move on January 15, you have until February 14 to notify DPS. Changing your address online counts as notification—you don't need to do anything else.
If you're moving within Texas, the online change is the fastest way to stay compliant. If you're moving out of state, you should explore for a license in your new state as soon as possible, because a Texas license with an out-of-state address can cause problems with traffic stops and vehicle registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address online if my license expires in the next few months?
Yes. Your license just needs to be currently valid, not valid for a certain length of time after the change. If your license expires soon, you can change your address online now and renew your license separately later, or you can renew and change your address at the same time (though that costs $27 instead of $11).
What if I made a mistake when I submitted my address change online?
Contact the DPS Driver's License Division by phone or visit a DPS office in person. Bring your confirmation number from your online change. DPS can correct the address before your new license is mailed, but you may need to pay another $11 fee. It's faster to call right away rather than wait for the wrong license to arrive.
Do I need to update my vehicle registration when I change my driver's license address?
Yes. Your vehicle registration and driver's license should match. You can change your vehicle registration address online through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website at the same time you change your driver's license address, or you can do it separately. Both have their own fees and timelines.
Will my old license still work after I change my address online?
Yes, your old license is still valid until your new one arrives. You can use it for identification and driving. Once your new license arrives, use that instead. There's no overlap period where both are active.
What if I don't have a credit card to pay the $11 fee online?
The online system accepts credit and debit cards only. If you don't have either, you'll need to visit a DPS office in person to change your address. DPS offices accept cash, check, and card payments.