How to Renew Your Texas Driver's License

Renewing your Texas driver's license online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Texas driver's license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in three ways: online at dps.texas.gov, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a DPS office. Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not had a name change since your last renewal. By mail takes about two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DPS office takes a few minutes but requires an appointment, which you book through the same website.

Your license must not be expired for more than two years to renew it. If it has been expired longer than that, you will need to explore for a new license instead, which requires taking the written and driving tests again. Check your current license to see the expiration date in the upper right corner.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through dps.texas.gov works only if your license is valid, not suspended, and you have not changed your name since the last renewal.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and the renewal fee.
In-person renewal at a DPS office requires booking an appointment online first and takes about 15 minutes once you arrive.
Your license cannot be expired for more than two years to renew it; anything older requires a new process with tests.

Online renewal through the DPS website

Go to dps.texas.gov, select "Driver License" from the menu, then choose "Renew Driver License Online." You will need your Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is $25 for a four-year renewal or $50 for an eight-year renewal. You will receive your new license by mail within seven to ten business days.

Online renewal is not available if your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled; if you have had a name change since your last renewal; or if you are over 79 years old. You also cannot renew online if your address has changed and you have not updated it with DPS yet. If any of these explore to you, use mail or in-person renewal instead.

Mail renewal with a paper form

read form DL-44 from dps.texas.gov or pick one up at any DPS office. Fill in your information, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $25 (four-year) or $50 (eight-year) to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Mail your packet to the DPS address shown on the form—there is a different address depending on which region you live in.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date DPS receives your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail. Keep a copy of your form and the date you mailed it in case you need to check on your renewal status. You can track your renewal at dps.texas.gov by entering your driver's license number and date of birth.

In-person renewal at a DPS office

Book an appointment at dps.texas.gov by selecting "Driver License" and then "Schedule an Appointment." Choose your nearest DPS office and pick a date and time that works for you. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your payment method. The fee is the same as online or mail renewal: $25 for four years or $50 for eight years.

Appointments usually have availability within a few days to a week, depending on your location. Arrive about five minutes early. The renewal itself takes about 15 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent license by mail within seven to ten business days. If you cannot keep your appointment, cancel it through the website so someone else can use that time slot.

What happens if your license is expired by more than two years

If your license has been expired for longer than two years, you cannot renew it. Instead, you must explore for a new license, which means taking the written test and the driving test again. You will also need to provide proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The fee for a new license is $25 for four years or $50 for eight years, the same as renewal.

To explore for a new license, schedule an in-person appointment at a DPS office through dps.texas.gov. You cannot explore by mail or online for a new license. Bring all required documents with you. The office will administer the written test on the spot; if you pass, you will schedule a separate appointment for the driving test.

Documents and fees you will need

For any renewal method, you need your current Texas driver's license and a valid payment method. For in-person renewal, you also need proof of residency—a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days. A government-issued ID from another state or a passport does not count as proof of residency in Texas.

Renewal fees are $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license. These are the only fees; there are no additional charges for online, mail, or in-person renewal. If you are renewing by mail, send a check or money order only—do not send cash. If you are paying online or in person, debit cards and credit cards are accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. You cannot renew online, by mail, or in person if your license is suspended or revoked. You must first contact DPS or the court that issued the suspension to resolve the issue. Once it is cleared, you can renew through any method.

What if I changed my name since my last renewal?

You cannot renew online if your name has changed. You must renew by mail or in person and bring a document showing your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Mail or in-person renewal will update your name on your new license.

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

Online and mail renewals take seven to ten business days to arrive by mail. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license by mail within seven to ten business days. Mail renewal takes an additional two to three weeks for DPS to process your packet before they mail it.

Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my renewal?

No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive. If you renewed in person, your temporary paper license is valid for driving until your permanent license arrives. For online or mail renewal, you cannot drive until your new license arrives in the mail.

What if I lost my current license and cannot mail it in?

Contact DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to report it lost. You can still renew by mail by writing a note explaining that your license was lost and including it with your form DL-44 and payment. For in-person renewal, bring a government-issued ID instead of your driver's license.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.