You can renew your Texas driver's license online if your license is expired or expiring within the next 60 days
Texas lets you renew online through the Department of Public Safety website if you meet a few conditions: your license must not be suspended or revoked, you must have a valid email address, and you cannot have certain medical or vision restrictions that require an in-person visit. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal, and you pay by debit or credit card. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Not everyone can use the online route. If your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you must visit a driver's license office in person. The same applies if you need to update your address, change your name, or add or remove restrictions. If you are unsure whether you may have access to, the DPS website has a tool that walks you through your situation before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license is not suspended or revoked and you do not have medical restrictions that require an exam.
- The online process costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years, paid by debit or credit card at the time of renewal.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up at an office.
- If you need to change your address, name, or restrictions, you must renew in person at a driver's license office instead.
- You can renew up to 60 days before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date.
Step-by-step process for renewing online
Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the main menu. You will land on a page that asks whether you want to renew online or in person. Choose online renewal.
Enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your record and show you the current information on file. Review it carefully—if anything is wrong (address, name spelling, height, eye color), stop here and renew in person instead, because the online system does not let you make corrections.
Confirm your mailing address or update it if you have moved. This is where your new license will be sent. If the address shown is not current, change it now. You will also enter an email address where DPS will send you a confirmation and tracking information.
Review the vision and medical questions. The system asks whether you have any conditions that affect your ability to drive safely. Answer honestly. If you say yes to any of these questions, the system will tell you that you cannot renew online and must visit an office instead.
Pay the renewal fee. Select whether you want a four-year license ($16) or an eight-year license ($32). Enter your debit or credit card information. Once the payment processes, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Save this number—it is your proof of renewal while you wait for the physical license to arrive.
Who cannot renew online and what to do instead
You must renew in person if your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled. You also cannot use online renewal if you have medical or vision restrictions that require a doctor's exam or certification. This includes conditions like corrective lenses required, hearing aid required, or restrictions related to seizures, diabetes, or other medical conditions.
If you need to change your name, address, or any other information beyond what the online form allows, you must visit a driver's license office. The same applies if you want to add a Real ID star to your license or if you are renewing after your license has been expired for more than two years.
To renew in person, find your nearest driver's license office on the DPS website and check its hours. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease works), and proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card or a tax return). Processing usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, and you can get a temporary paper license to use while you wait for the plastic card to arrive by mail.
Timeline and what to expect after you renew
You can renew online starting 60 days before your license expires. There is no penalty for renewing early, and your new license will be valid from the date it is issued, not from your old expiration date. If you renew 30 days before expiration, your new license will have a later expiration date than if you wait until the last day.
After you submit your online renewal, DPS will send a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your new license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days. During this time, your old license remains valid, so you can still drive and use it as ID. Once the new license arrives, the old one is no longer valid and should be destroyed.
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, check your email for any messages from DPS—sometimes the mail gets held up and DPS will contact you. If you still have not received it after two weeks, call the DPS Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6789 to report it and request a replacement.
Real ID and online renewal
If your current license already has a Real ID star (a small star in the upper right corner), your renewal will automatically include Real ID status. You do not need to do anything extra or provide additional documents.
If your license does not have a Real ID star and you want to add one during renewal, you cannot do it online. Real ID requires proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, which DPS can only verify in person. You will need to visit a driver's license office, bring your passport or birth certificate, and pay an additional $16 fee on top of the renewal cost.
Payment and refund information
Online renewal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The payment is processed when ready when you submit your renewal. DPS does not accept PayPal, Apple Pay, or other digital wallets for online renewal.
If your payment is declined, the system will tell you when ready and will not process your renewal. Check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV are correct, and try again. If the card is declined a second time, use a different card or renew in person at a driver's license office.
Refunds are not issued for online renewals. Once you have paid and received your confirmation number, the transaction is complete. If you change your mind before paying, straightforward close the browser window and your renewal will not go through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than two years?
No, online renewal only works if your license is currently valid or expiring within 60 days. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a driver's license office and may need to retake the written and vision tests depending on how long it has been expired.
What if I move after I renew online but before my new license arrives?
Contact DPS Customer Service at 1-888-589-6789 with your confirmation number and new address. They can update your mailing address so your license is sent to the right place. Do this as soon as possible after you move.
Do I need to bring my old license to use while I wait for the new one?
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to drive and use it as ID. You do not need to bring anything else. Once your new license arrives, destroy the old one.
Can I renew online if I have a commercial driver's license?
No, commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cannot be renewed online. You must visit a driver's license office in person. The same applies if you hold a motorcycle endorsement or any other special endorsement.
What happens if I renew online but then get a traffic ticket before my new license arrives?
Your old license is still valid until the new one arrives, so the ticket will be issued against your current license number. When your new license arrives, the number stays the same—only the expiration date changes. Your driving record and any tickets remain linked to your license number.