You can change your Texas driver license address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you update your address without renewing your license. The fastest route is online through the DPS website if your license is valid and you have not changed your name. If your license is expired, suspended, or you need to change your name at the same time, you will need to visit a DPS office or mail in a form. The address change itself takes effect when ready once DPS processes it, but you should receive a new license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Texas law requires you to notify DPS of a change of address within 30 days of moving. You are not required to renew your license early, but you do need to report the new address. Failing to do so can result in fines, and it may cause problems if you are stopped by law enforcement or need to use your license for identification.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes work only if your Texas license is currently valid and your name has not changed since you got it.
  • You can change your address by mail using Form DL-43 if you prefer not to go online or visit an office.
  • In-person changes at a DPS office take about 15 to 30 minutes and work for any situation, including expired licenses.
  • DPS will mail you a new license with your updated address within 7 to 10 business days of processing.
  • You do not need to bring your old license to change your address, but you will need proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days.

Changing your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS website and select the "Change of Address" option under driver license services. You will need your driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm your current information. This method works only if your license is valid (not expired or suspended) and your name matches what DPS has on file.

After you submit your information online, DPS processes the change and mails you a new license. You do not pay a fee for an address change. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue using it for identification during those 7 to 10 business days.

Changing your address by mail with Form DL-43

read or print Form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the Texas DPS website. Fill in your current driver license number, your new address, and sign the form. You will also need to include proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. Mail the form and proof to the address listed on the DPS website (this varies by region, so check the form itself for the correct mailing address).

Processing by mail takes longer than online — typically 2 to 3 weeks after DPS receives your form. There is no fee. This route works even if your license is expired or suspended, which makes it useful if you have let your renewal lapse but need to update your address on file.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Visit any Texas DPS Driver License office with your current driver license and proof of your new address. Bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail all work. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations now use online scheduling, so check the DPS website for your local office first.

The in-person process takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will pay no fee for the address change. DPS will issue you a new license on the spot or mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the office. Ask which option applies when you arrive.

What counts as proof of your new address

DPS requires a document that shows both your name and your new address, dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a government check or benefit statement, or mail from a government agency. A piece of mail addressed to you at your new address works even if it is from a private company.

A bank statement or utility bill is the easiest to obtain if you do not have anything else. If you have just moved and do not yet have a bill or statement in your name at the new address, ask DPS what temporary proof they will accept — some offices have flexibility for very recent moves.

When you need to visit a DPS office instead of using online or mail

You must visit a DPS office in person if your driver license is expired, suspended, or revoked. You also need to go in person if you are changing your name at the same time as your address, or if you have lost your license and need a replacement. If you are unsure whether your situation requires an office visit, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 or check the website before you make the trip.

Some people also prefer the in-person route because they receive their new license when ready or can confirm it was processed correctly on the spot. If speed matters to you, an office visit is faster than mail and gives you certainty the same day.

What happens to your old address on file

Once DPS processes your address change, your old address is replaced in the system. Any mail from DPS, the Texas DMV, or other state agencies will go to your new address. If you are concerned about mail sent to your old address before the change processes, contact your landlord or the new resident and ask them to forward it, or file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service separately.

Your new license will show your updated address. If you need to prove your address for other purposes — opening a bank account, getting insurance, or registering to vote — your new license will work once it arrives. Until then, your proof of address document (the utility bill or lease you used to change your address) can serve as backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

You cannot use the online method if your license is expired. You can change your address by mail using Form DL-43 or by visiting a DPS office in person. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may need to renew it instead of just changing the address — call DPS to confirm.

How long does it take to receive my new license in the mail?

DPS typically mails new licenses within 7 to 10 business days of processing your address change. Mail delivery time varies by location, so allow an additional 3 to 5 business days for it to reach you. Your old license remains valid during this time.

What if I move again before my new license arrives?

You can change your address again using any of the three methods. If you have already submitted an online change and your new license has not arrived yet, you can file another change before the first one is mailed. There is no penalty for multiple address changes.

Can I change my address at a different county's DPS office than where I got my license?

Yes. You can visit any Texas DPS Driver License office to change your address, regardless of which county issued your license. All offices have access to the same system and can process the change on the spot.

What if I do not have proof of my new address yet?

If you have just moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name at the new address, contact your local DPS office before you visit. Some offices accept temporary proof such as a signed lease, a letter from your landlord, or a moving company receipt for very recent moves. Call ahead to confirm what your office will accept.