Where to replace your Texas driver's license

You can replace your Texas driver's license at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office. The DPS operates around 130 locations across the state, including offices in major cities and smaller towns. You can find your nearest office and check its hours on the DPS website at dps.texas.gov.

Some counties also offer limited services through county tax assessor-collector offices, though these locations typically handle renewals and address changes rather than replacements. If you need a replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged license, a DPS driver license office is your most direct option and will have all replacement types available.

You can also renew or replace your license by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked and you meet specific conditions. Mail renewal works only if your current license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, and you do not need to change your photo or personal information.

Key Takeaways

  • You need to bring your Social Security number, proof of Texas residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate) to replace your license in person.
  • A replacement license costs $16 if you are replacing a lost or stolen license, or $25 if you are replacing a damaged one, and the fee does not change based on how long your license is valid.
  • Your replacement license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days after you complete your process at a DPS office.
  • If your license was stolen, you should report the theft to local police and bring the police report number when you explore for your replacement.
  • Mail-in replacement is available only if your current license expired less than two years ago and you do not need a new photo.

Documents you need to bring

Bring three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Texas residency. For proof of identity, you can use a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a consular report of birth abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. A passport is the fastest option because it covers both identity and citizenship in one document.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security Administration letter. If you do not have any of these, you can explore for a replacement Social Security card through the Social Security Administration before you go to the DPS office, though this adds time to your process.

For proof of Texas residency, bring a recent utility bill, a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank or credit card statement showing your current address. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. If you recently moved and do not have a document in your new address yet, bring a signed letter from your landlord or property manager on letterhead, along with a utility bill or other document showing your previous address.

What happens at the DPS office

When you arrive at the DPS office, you will check in and receive a number. Wait times vary by location and time of day; offices are typically less crowded early in the morning on weekdays. Bring all your documents and be prepared to wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy the office is.

When your number is called, a DPS employee will review your documents, take a new photo for your license, and ask you to sign a form confirming your information. You will also be asked why you need a replacement — lost, stolen, or damaged — because the reason affects the fee. If your license was stolen, have your police report number ready.

After you complete the process, you will pay the replacement fee. You cannot pay online; payment is cash, check, or debit card at the office. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license that you can use while you wait for your permanent card to arrive.

Replacement fees and what they cover

A replacement license for a lost or stolen license costs $16. A replacement for a damaged license also costs $16. These fees are lower than a standard renewal because you are not renewing your license's validity period — you are straightforward getting a new card with the same expiration date as your original license.

The fee covers the cost of producing the card and mailing it to you. It does not include any additional services such as a name change, address change, or vision correction update. If you need to change your address, name, or other information on your license at the same time, you will pay an additional renewal fee of $25 to $33 depending on how long you want your new license to be valid.

Mail-in replacement and when you can use it

You can replace your license by mail only if your current license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, and you do not need a new photo. Mail replacement is useful if your license was damaged but you do not need to update your photo or personal information.

To replace by mail, read the process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-44) from the DPS website. Fill it out, include a check or money order for $16, and mail it along with your damaged license to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks by mail, which is longer than in-person replacement.

If you need a new photo, a name change, or an address change, you must go to a DPS office in person. Mail replacement does not give you the option to update your photo or personal details.

If your license was stolen

Report the theft to your local police department and ask for a police report number. You do not need the full written report — just the report number. Bring this number when you go to the DPS office to explore for your replacement.

Reporting the theft protects you if someone tries to use your license fraudulently. It also helps the DPS track whether your license number has been compromised. When you explore for your replacement, tell the DPS employee that your license was stolen and provide the police report number. The replacement fee remains $16 whether your license was lost or stolen.

Temporary license while you wait

After you complete your process at the DPS office, you will receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 45 days. This temporary license allows you to drive legally while your permanent card is being mailed to you. You must carry this paper license with you when you drive; it is not valid without the paper itself.

Your permanent license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If more than 10 business days pass and you have not received your license, contact the DPS to check the status. You can call the DPS customer service line or visit a DPS office in person to verify that your license was mailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license online?

No. Texas does not offer online replacement for lost, stolen, or damaged licenses. You must go to a DPS office in person or use mail-in replacement if your license expired less than two years ago and you do not need a new photo. Online services are limited to address changes and renewals for licenses that are still valid.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You can still replace it at any DPS office in Texas. Bring the same documents you would bring for any replacement: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Texas residency. You do not need a police report unless you want to document that your license was stolen rather than lost.

How long is my replacement license valid?

Your replacement license is valid for the same length of time as your original license. If your original license expired in 2027, your replacement license will also expire in 2027. You are not getting a new validity period — you are getting a new card with the same expiration date.

What if my address changed since I got my original license?

You can update your address at the same time you replace your license. Bring proof of your new address along with your other documents. You will pay both the $16 replacement fee and an additional $25 to $33 renewal fee depending on how long you want your new license to be valid.

Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?

No. Your replacement license is mailed directly to your address on file. You cannot have it mailed to someone else's address or pick it up at a DPS office. If you are moving before your license arrives, update your address with the DPS before you leave, or wait until after you move to explore for your replacement.