Where to renew your San Antonio driver's license
You can renew your Texas driver's license at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, but the San Antonio area has several locations that serve Bexar County residents. The main DPS Driver License office in San Antonio is located at 4522 Fredericksburg Road. There are also satellite offices in surrounding areas, though wait times and hours vary by location.
Before you go to any office, check the DPS website or call ahead to confirm current hours and whether you need an appointment. Many DPS offices now use an online appointment system that lets you reserve a time slot, which can cut your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are still accepted at most locations, but you may wait several hours during peak times.
You can also renew by mail if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than two years, you must not need to update your address or other information, and you cannot have any medical restrictions or violations on your record. Mail renewal takes longer — typically four to six weeks — so plan ahead if you choose this route.
Key Takeaways
- The main San Antonio DPS Driver License office is at 4522 Fredericksburg Road, and satellite offices serve other parts of Bexar County with varying hours.
- Booking an appointment online through the DPS website usually cuts your wait time compared to walking in, though walk-ins are still accepted.
- You need a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and your current driver's license or ID card to renew in person.
- Mail renewal is an option only if your license expired less than two years ago and you have no address changes or medical restrictions to update.
- Renewal fees in Texas are $25 for a five-year license or $50 for an eight-year license, paid at the time of renewal.
Documents you need to bring
Texas requires specific documents for an in-person renewal. You must bring your current driver's license or ID card, a valid form of identification (such as a passport, military ID, or birth certificate), and proof of your current address. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days.
If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring documentation of that change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing after your license has been expired for more than two years, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, so check with the DPS office beforehand about what to expect.
Bring your Social Security number or have it memorized. You will also need to know your Texas ID number, which appears on your current license. If you cannot locate your current license, you can still renew, but the process may take longer because the DPS will need to verify your records.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
When you arrive at the DPS office, you will check in and receive a number or be called to a window. The process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes once you reach a clerk, though the wait before that can range from minutes to hours depending on the time of day and day of the week. Early mornings on weekdays are usually less crowded than afternoons or weekends.
The clerk will verify your documents, check your driving record, and ask you to confirm your information. You will have your photo taken for the new license. You may also be asked to take a vision test — bring your glasses or contacts if you need them to see clearly. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you will need to pass a written knowledge test and a driving test.
Once everything is complete, you will pay the renewal fee and receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. Keep the paper license with you while you drive, as it is your proof of a valid license until the plastic card arrives.
Mail renewal process and timeline
To renew by mail, you must meet all of these conditions: your license expired less than two years ago, you have no address changes to make, you have no medical restrictions or violations, and your name has not changed. You cannot renew by mail if you need to update your photo, which is required every eight years.
Request a mail renewal form by calling the DPS at 1-844-DPS-TXDL (1-844-377-8935) or visiting the DPS website. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address provided on the form. Do not send cash through the mail.
Processing time for mail renewals is typically four to six weeks from the date the DPS receives your process. Your temporary paper license will arrive first, valid for 45 days, followed by your permanent plastic license. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal at a DPS office is your only faster option.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A five-year Texas driver's license costs $25 to renew. An eight-year license costs $50. These are the standard fees as of 2024, though fees can change. At a DPS office, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. For mail renewal, you must send a check or money order — the DPS does not accept credit cards or debit cards by mail.
If you are renewing after your license has been expired for more than two years, you may face additional fees for the written test or driving test, though the test itself is not charged separately — the renewal fee covers it. Ask the DPS office about any additional costs when you call to confirm what you need to bring.
What to do if your license is expired or lost
If your license is expired, you can still renew it as long as it has been expired for less than two years. The process is the same as a standard renewal. If your license expired more than two years ago, you will need to retake the written test and vision test, and you may need to retake the driving test depending on how long it has been expired. Contact the DPS office to confirm what tests you will need.
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail. You must go to a DPS office in person to report it and obtain a replacement. Bring your identification and proof of residency as you would for a renewal. The replacement fee is the same as a renewal fee. The DPS will issue a temporary paper license while your permanent license is mailed to you.
If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, the temporary paper license is valid for 45 days and serves as your proof of a valid license. Law enforcement will accept it as proof that you have a valid Texas driver's license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online?
Texas does not offer online renewal of driver's licenses. You must renew in person at a DPS office or by mail. You can schedule an appointment online to renew in person, which can reduce your wait time at the office.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
You receive a temporary paper license when ready after your in-person renewal, valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. For mail renewal, the timeline is four to six weeks total from when the DPS receives your process.
What if I moved to San Antonio from another state?
You must obtain a Texas driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in Texas. You cannot straightforward renew your out-of-state license. You will need to visit a DPS office with your out-of-state license, proof of residency in San Antonio, and identification. The DPS will issue you a new Texas license.
Do I need an appointment to renew at a DPS office?
Appointments are not required, but booking one online through the DPS website can significantly reduce your wait time. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait several hours depending on how busy the office is that day.
What if I have a commercial driver's license?
Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cannot be renewed by mail and must be renewed in person at a DPS office. You will need to bring the same documents as a standard renewal, plus any medical certification documents if required. The renewal process is similar but may take longer.