Renewing your Texas driver's license through Renew.texas
Renew.texas is the official Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website where you can renew your driver's license online without visiting a DPS office. You can renew online if your license is expired or expiring within 60 days, you are a Texas resident, and your license was not suspended or revoked. The online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal.
Not everyone can use the online system. You cannot renew online if your address has changed, your name has changed since your last license, your license was suspended or revoked, you need a Real ID-compliant license for the first time, or you are under 18. In those cases, you must visit a DPS office in person.
The online renewal process sends your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready after completing your transaction, which you can use while waiting for your physical card to arrive.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online through Renew.texas only if your license is not suspended, your address and name have not changed, and your license expires within 60 days.
- Online renewal costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your physical license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If you cannot renew online, you must visit a DPS office in person with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
- You can find your nearest DPS office and check wait times on the DPS website before you go.
Step-by-step process for renewing online
Go to Renew.texas.gov and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the homepage. You will need your current Texas driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start. The system will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record and personal history.
After verification, you will review your current license information and confirm or update it. You can change your mailing address during renewal, but you cannot change your residential address online — that requires an in-person visit. Once you confirm your information, you will pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
After payment, you will see a confirmation page with a transaction number. Save or print this number for your records. Your temporary paper license will appear on screen when ready and can be printed or saved to your phone. This temporary license is valid for 60 days while you wait for your physical license to arrive by mail.
What you need before you start your online renewal
Have your current Texas driver's license in front of you. You will need the license number printed on the front. You will also need the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system uses these two pieces of information to pull up your record and verify your identity.
Make sure your mailing address is current if you want to receive your new license at a different address. You can update your mailing address during the online renewal process, but this is different from changing your residential address. If you need to change where you actually live, you must do that in person at a DPS office.
Have a valid payment method ready. The system accepts credit and debit cards only — it does not accept cash, check, or money order. The transaction takes a few seconds to process.
When you must renew in person at a DPS office
Visit a DPS office if your license was suspended or revoked, your address has changed since your last license was issued, your name has changed, you are under 18, or you need a Real ID-compliant license for the first time. You also must go in person if you want to change your license class (for example, from a Class C to a Class A or B), add or remove endorsements, or change your gender marker.
Bring your current Texas driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form), and proof of your current residential address (such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
DPS offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You can check wait times and book an appointment on the DPS website before you go. Bringing an appointment confirmation can reduce your wait time significantly.
Costs and timeline for renewal
Online renewal costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. In-person renewal at a DPS office costs the same amount. Payment is due at the time of renewal, whether you renew online or in person. The DPS does not offer refunds if you change your mind after paying.
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you complete your online renewal. In-person renewals at a DPS office are faster — you can receive your new license the same day or within a few days, depending on the office. Your temporary paper license is valid for 60 days, which gives you time to receive your physical license in the mail.
If your license expires before your new one arrives, your temporary paper license remains valid as long as you received it before your old license expired. Keep the temporary license with you while driving until your physical license arrives.
Troubleshooting common renewal problems
If the system says you cannot renew online, it is because one of the restrictions applies to you. The most common reasons are a suspended or revoked license, an address change, or a name change. You will see a message explaining why you cannot renew online. In that case, you must visit a DPS office in person.
If you forget your license number, you can look it up on the DPS website using your name and date of birth, or you can call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789. If you have trouble logging in or completing your transaction online, the DPS website has a chat feature during business hours, or you can call the same number.
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DPS to report it. They can check the status of your renewal and reissue your license if it was lost in the mail. Keep your temporary paper license and your confirmation number from your online renewal until your physical license arrives.
Real ID requirements and driver's license renewal
Texas driver's licenses issued after January 2010 are Real ID-compliant by default. If your current license shows a gold star or gold circle in the upper right corner, it is already Real ID-compliant and will remain so when you renew. You do not need to do anything special during renewal.
If your current license does not have a gold star or circle, it is not Real ID-compliant. You cannot upgrade to a Real ID license online — you must visit a DPS office in person. Bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency (such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate). Real ID renewal costs the same as a standard renewal.
Real ID-compliant licenses are required to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings starting May 7, 2025. If you do not have a Real ID license by then, you will need a passport or other federal ID to fly domestically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?
Yes, you can renew online through Renew.texas as long as your license was not suspended or revoked and your address and name have not changed. The online system does not have a time limit on how long your license has been expired. If you cannot renew online for other reasons, you can renew in person at a DPS office.
What if I move to a different address before my new license arrives?
Contact the DPS before you move and update your mailing address. You can call 1-888-589-6789 or visit a DPS office to change your address on file. If you have already completed your online renewal, you can request that your new license be sent to your new address instead. Keep your temporary paper license until your physical license arrives.
Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked license?
No, you cannot renew online if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a DPS office in person. The office staff can tell you whether you are may be able to access to renew or whether you need to resolve the suspension or revocation first. Call 1-888-589-6789 to find out the status of your license before you visit.
How long is my temporary paper license valid?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 60 days from the date you receive it. This gives you time to receive your physical license in the mail. If your physical license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DPS to report it and request a replacement.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew online?
No, online renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DPS office. The DPS will take a new photo during your in-person visit at no extra cost.