What documents you need to bring
Texas requires you to bring your current driver's license or ID card, proof of residency, and proof of identity to renew. If your license is expired, you can still use it as your proof of identity, but you will need a second form of ID if it has been expired for more than two years.
Proof of residency means a document showing your current address — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days works. Proof of identity can be a passport, birth certificate, military ID, or Social Security card. If you are renewing by mail or online, the rules are stricter and you may not be able to use all of these documents.
If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You will also need to provide your Social Security number, which the Department of Public Safety uses to verify your identity.
Key Takeaways
- You need your current license, proof of identity, and proof of residency dated within 90 days to renew in person at a DPS office.
- Texas allows online renewal only if your license is not expired, you have not renewed online in the past two years, and you do not need to update your address or photo.
- By-mail renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you do not need a new photo.
- Renewal fees are $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card at an office.
- Processing times vary: in-person renewals are usually done the same day, online renewals take five to seven business days, and mail renewals take two to three weeks.
Renewing online through the DPS website
The Texas Department of Public Safety lets you renew online at the DPS website if you meet specific conditions. Your current license must not be expired, you must not have renewed online in the past two years, and you cannot change your address, photo, or other information during the online process.
The online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license. You pay by credit or debit card. After you submit, the DPS mails your new license to the address on file, which takes five to seven business days. You will receive a confirmation email with a transaction number.
If your license has been expired for any length of time, you cannot renew online — you must go to a DPS office or renew by mail. The same applies if you need to change your photo, address, or any other information on your license.
Renewing by mail if your license recently expired
You can renew by mail only if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you do not need a new photo. Mail renewal takes longer than other methods — typically two to three weeks from the time the DPS receives your process.
To renew by mail, you request an process form from the DPS website or call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $33 (four-year) or $66 (eight-year), and mail it with a copy of your expired license to the address shown on the form. Do not send cash through the mail.
You cannot change your photo, address, or name through mail renewal. If you need any of those changes, you must renew in person at a DPS office.
Renewing in person at a DPS office
In-person renewal at a DPS office is the most flexible option and the fastest — you usually leave with a temporary paper license the same day and receive your plastic license in the mail within one to two weeks. You can renew in person whether your license is current or expired, and you can make changes to your address, photo, or other information.
Bring your current license, proof of identity, proof of residency dated within 90 days, and your Social Security number. If your name has changed, bring the certified document showing the change. Payment is $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card.
DPS offices are open Monday through Friday, though hours vary by location. You can find your nearest office and check its hours on the DPS website. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to schedule an appointment online. Call ahead or check the website for your specific location.
What happens if your license is expired by more than two years
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must reapply for a new license. Reapplication requires an in-person visit to a DPS office and includes a written test, a driving test, and a new photo. You will also need to provide your Social Security number and proof of identity and residency.
The cost of a new license is the same as renewal ($33 for four years or $66 for eight years), but the process takes longer because of the testing requirement. Schedule an appointment online or call your local DPS office to find out how long the wait is in your area.
If you are unsure whether your license is expired or by how much, you can check the expiration date on the front of your license or contact the DPS to verify.
Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)
Commercial driver's licenses cannot be renewed online or by mail — you must renew in person at a DPS office. You need your current CDL, proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. If you have any traffic violations or medical conditions that affect your driving, bring documentation of those as well.
CDL renewal costs the same as regular license renewal ($33 for four years or $66 for eight years), but you do not take a new driving test unless your CDL is expired by more than two years. You will receive a temporary paper license the same day and your plastic license in the mail within one to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license if I live out of state?
If you live outside Texas, you can renew by mail if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you do not need a new photo. If your license is expired by more than two years or you need a new photo, you must renew in person at a DPS office during a visit to Texas.
What if I lost my Social Security card and cannot provide the number?
You can provide your Social Security number verbally at a DPS office, and staff will verify it in their system. If you are renewing online or by mail, you will need to enter your number, so you may need to contact the DPS for help if you do not know it.
Do I need a new photo if 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.
How long does a renewed Texas license last?
You choose between a four-year license ($33) and an eight-year license ($66) when you renew. The expiration date is printed on the front of your new license.
What if my address changed since my last license?
You can update your address during in-person renewal at a DPS office. Online and mail renewal do not allow address changes, so you must visit an office if your address is different from what is on your current license.