Change your address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

Texas lets you update your driver's license address without getting a new card. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) accepts address changes through three routes: online at the DPS website, by mail using Form DL-43, or in person at any DPS driver license office. Online is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home. By mail takes one to two weeks. In person is when ready but requires a trip to an office during business hours.

You do not need to renew your license to change your address. The change updates your record in the DPS system and on your driving record, even though your physical card keeps the old address printed on it. This matters for law enforcement stops and official record checks, but not for everyday use like voting or banking — those institutions typically look up your current address separately.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through the DPS website is free and takes minutes, but only works if your license is not suspended or expired.
  • Mailing Form DL-43 to the DPS address processing center costs nothing and requires only your license number and new address, but takes one to two weeks.
  • In-person changes at a DPS office are when ready but require proof of residency and a valid ID, and office wait times vary by location.
  • Your physical license card will still show your old address after the change — the address in the DPS system is what gets updated.

Changing your address online through the DPS website

Visit the Texas DPS website and select the address change option under driver license services. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Enter your new address and confirm it. The system will ask you to review the information before submitting. Once submitted, the change takes effect when ready in the DPS database.

This method works only if your license is currently valid and not suspended. If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, you must use the mail or in-person method instead. The online system also cannot process changes if there are holds or flags on your record — the system will tell you to contact a DPS office directly if that is the case.

Mailing Form DL-43 to update your address by post

read Form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the Texas DPS website or pick one up at any DPS office. Fill in your name, driver's license number, new address, and sign the form. Mail it to the DPS address processing center — the form itself lists the current mailing address. Include only the form; you do not need to send your license card or any other documents.

Processing by mail typically takes one to two weeks from the date DPS receives your form. There is no fee. This method works regardless of whether your license is expired or suspended, making it the fallback option when online submission is not available. Keep a copy of the form for your records in case you need to follow up.

Updating your address in person at a DPS office

Visit any Texas DPS driver license office with a valid ID and proof of your new address. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your name and new address — the document must be dated within the last 60 days. Bring your current driver's license. The office will update your address on the spot, and the change is effective when ready.

Wait times at DPS offices vary widely depending on location and time of day. Offices in smaller towns often have shorter waits than those in major cities. Some DPS offices allow you to check wait times online before you go. There is no fee for an address change. Your physical license card will not change — only the address in the DPS system updates.

What happens to your physical license card

Your driver's license card itself will continue to show your old address even after you change it in the DPS system. The printed address on the card does not update unless you renew your license or get a replacement card. Law enforcement and official DPS records will show your new address, but anyone looking at your physical card will see the old one.

If having your current address printed on the card matters to you — for example, if you use it for age verification at businesses — you can request a replacement card. This costs money and requires a trip to a DPS office, but you will receive a new card with your current address printed on it. Most people do not bother with this unless they are renewing anyway.

Timing and what to expect after you submit

Online changes take effect when ready. Mail submissions take one to two weeks. In-person changes are when ready. After your address updates, it will appear on your driving record within one to three business days. If you need proof of the change for a specific reason — such as updating voter registration or insurance — you can print your driving record from the DPS website or request an official copy at a DPS office.

Some government agencies and private companies pull your address from the DPS database automatically, so they may update on their own once DPS processes your change. Others require you to notify them separately. Check with your insurance company, voter registration office, and any other agencies that use your driver's license address to see whether they need you to report the change directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my address if I moved out of state?

No. If you moved out of Texas, you should get a driver's license from your new state instead of keeping a Texas license. Texas will not renew a license for someone who no longer lives in the state. Contact the DMV or equivalent agency in your new state to get a license there.

What if I do not have proof of residency for an in-person change?

Use the online method if your license is valid, or mail Form DL-43. Both routes require no proof of residency. If you must go in person and do not have a recent utility bill or lease, ask the DPS office which documents they accept — some offices are flexible about what counts as proof.

Can I change my address if my license is suspended?

Yes, but only by mail or in person. The online system will not process a change if your license is suspended. Use Form DL-43 by mail, or visit a DPS office with proof of residency and a valid ID. The address change is separate from the suspension status.

How long does it take for insurance companies to see my new address?

That depends on your insurance company. Some pull from the DPS database automatically and update within a few days. Others require you to call or log into your account and update it yourself. Contact your insurance company directly to confirm whether they need you to report the change.

Will my old address still work for voting or banking?

Voting and banking systems typically look up your address independently from your driver's license. Update your address with your bank, voter registration office, and any other institutions directly — do not rely on the DPS address change to reach them automatically.