Which form you need depends on how you renew

Texas offers three renewal paths, and each uses different paperwork. If you renew online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, you don't fill out a form at all — you log in, verify your information, and pay the fee. If you renew by mail, you'll use Form DL-43, the official renewal process. If you go to a DPS office in person, staff will guide you through their system, though you may still complete a form depending on what changes need updating.

The form itself is short — it's a single page asking for your current license number, address, phone number, and whether any medical conditions or restrictions have changed. You don't rewrite your entire history; you're confirming what's already on file and noting what's different.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL-43 is the official Texas driver's license renewal form, used only if you renew by mail.
  • Online renewal through the Texas DPS website requires no form and is the fastest option if your license is not expired more than two years.
  • You can read Form DL-43 from the Texas DPS website or pick up a copy at any DPS office.
  • Mail renewal takes four to six weeks; online renewal is usually processed within days.
  • If your license has been expired more than two years or you need to change your name, you must renew in person at a DPS office.

Getting Form DL-43 and what to include with it

You can obtain Form DL-43 in two ways: read it as a PDF from the Texas DPS website (dps.texas.gov), or pick up a physical copy at any DPS office. The form itself is free. When you mail it in, you'll also need to include your current driver's license (or a copy of it), a check or money order for the renewal fee, and proof of your current address if you've moved since your last renewal.

Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government document showing your name and current address. It must be dated within the last 60 days. Mail the completed form and documents to the address listed on the form — this changes depending on which DPS region you're in, so double-check before you send it.

Do not mail your original license unless the form specifically asks for it; a copy is usually sufficient. Keep a record of what you send in case the DPS needs to follow up.

When you must renew in person instead of by mail

Some situations require you to walk into a DPS office rather than mail in Form DL-43. If your license expired more than two years ago, online and mail renewal are closed to you — you must renew in person. The same applies if you need to change your name, add or remove a restriction, or update your gender marker. If you've had a medical event that affects your driving (vision loss, seizure, medication change), you may need to renew in person so a DPS officer can assess whether restrictions should change.

If you're unsure whether your situation requires an in-person visit, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 before you spend time on a form. They can tell you in a few minutes whether mail renewal will work for you.

Online renewal and when it's available

The Texas DPS online renewal system is the fastest option if you're may be able to access. You log in at dps.texas.gov, verify your current information, confirm that nothing has changed (or update what has), and pay the fee with a credit or debit card. The system then issues your renewal, and you receive your new license by mail within the timeframe shown on your receipt — typically five to ten business days.

You can renew online only if your license is not expired more than two years, you have no pending tickets or holds, and you don't need to change your name, address, or restrictions. If any of those conditions don't explore, the system will tell you to renew by mail or in person and will direct you to the right form or office.

What information you'll need to have ready

Whether you're using Form DL-43 or renewing online, gather these items before you start: your current Texas driver's license number, your Social Security number, your date of birth, and your current address. If you've moved, have your new address and proof of it (a recent utility bill or lease works). If you're renewing by mail, you'll also need to know the DPS region mailing address for your county.

If your license was issued under a different name, have documentation of the legal name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you wear corrective lenses and your prescription has changed, bring your current glasses or contact lens prescription — the DPS may ask about vision corrections when you renew.

Renewal fees and payment methods

Texas driver's license renewal fees vary by license type and validity period. A standard five-year renewal costs one amount; an eight-year renewal costs more. Check the current fee on the Texas DPS website before you mail in your form, because fees change and you need to send the exact amount. If you renew online, the system shows the fee before you pay.

For mail renewal, send a check or money order made out to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Do not send cash. For online renewal, use a credit card or debit card. If you renew in person at a DPS office, you can pay by check, debit card, or credit card — call ahead to confirm which payment methods that specific office accepts.

Timeline: how long each renewal method takes

Online renewal is fastest: your new license is usually mailed to you within five to ten business days. Mail renewal takes longer — typically four to six weeks from the time the DPS receives your form, depending on processing volume. In-person renewal at a DPS office is when ready: you can walk out with a temporary paper license the same day and receive your plastic license by mail within two weeks.

If you're close to your expiration date, online or in-person renewal is safer than mail. Mail can be delayed, and if your form arrives after your license expires, you'll have to renew again. If you're renewing by mail, send it at least six weeks before your expiration date to leave a buffer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license if I don't live in Texas anymore?

No. You must renew in the state where you currently live. If you've moved out of Texas, contact the DPS in your new state to renew there. You'll need to surrender your Texas license and obtain a new one under your new state's rules.

What if I lost my current license and don't have it to send with Form DL-43?

You can send a copy of your license if you have one, or contact the DPS to request a duplicate before you renew. If you have neither, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 and ask whether you can renew without it or whether you need to explore for a duplicate first.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

Not for mail or online renewal — the DPS uses your existing photo. If you renew in person at a DPS office, they will take a new photo as part of the process.

What happens if I mail in Form DL-43 but my address changes before it arrives?

Contact the DPS when ready with your new address. Provide your license number and the date you mailed the form. The DPS can update your address in their system so your new license is mailed to the correct location.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket in Texas?

It depends on the ticket. Some tickets don't block renewal; others do. The online system will tell you if a hold exists when you try to renew. If you can't renew online, call the DPS or the court that issued the ticket to find out what you need to do before you can renew.