How to Renew Your Texas Driver's License or ID Card

Texas lets you renew your driver's license or ID card online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

The method you use depends on whether your license or ID is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need a new photo. If your Texas driver's license or ID card is expiring soon or has already expired, you can renew it without taking a written test or vision test in most cases — but you cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need a new photo, or if you have certain address or name changes.

Texas residents can renew online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website if they meet the requirements, renew by mail by sending documents to DPS, or walk into a DPS driver's license office for in-person renewal. Each method has different timelines, costs, and document requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if your license is not expired and you do not need a new photo.
• Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and costs less than in-person renewal but requires you to send original documents to DPS.
• In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license has been expired for more than two years, you need a new photo, or you have certain name or address changes.
• Your Texas driver's license or ID card is valid for six years, and DPS sends renewal notices about 90 days before expiration.
• You will need your Social Security number, current license or ID number, and proof of residency for any renewal method.

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest and most convenient option if your current license or ID is still valid and you do not need a new photo. You can renew online at the Texas DPS website using your driver's license or ID number, date of birth, and Social Security number. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card.

Online renewal is not available if your license or ID has been expired for more than two years, if you need a new photo, if you have changed your name, if you have changed your address and need to update it on your license, or if you have certain medical or legal restrictions on your record. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person at a DPS office.

After you complete online renewal, DPS mails your new license or ID card to the address on file. Delivery typically takes seven to ten business days. You can continue to use your current license or ID until the new one arrives.

Mail renewal by sending documents to DPS

You can renew by mail if your license or ID is not expired and you do not need a new photo. To renew by mail, you must complete the process form (Form DL-44 or Form DL-43, depending on whether you are renewing a driver's license or ID card), include a copy of your current license or ID, and send both to the DPS address listed on the form along with the renewal fee.

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date DPS receives your documents. You will need to include proof of residency — such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days — if you have changed your address since your last renewal. Do not send original documents; send copies only, because DPS will not return them.

The renewal fee for mail renewal is the same as online renewal. You can pay by check or money order made out to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mail your documents to the address shown on the DPS website or on the renewal notice you received in the mail.

In-person renewal at a DPS driver's license office

In-person renewal is required if your license or ID has been expired for more than two years, if you need a new photo, if you have changed your name, or if you have certain address or legal changes that cannot be processed online or by mail. You can walk into any DPS driver's license office in Texas without an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Bring your current license or ID, proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form), and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 90 days). If you have changed your name, bring the document that shows the change — such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have changed your address, bring proof of your new address.

At the office, you will have your photo taken, pay the renewal fee, and receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days while DPS processes your permanent card. Your new license or ID card will be mailed to you within seven to ten business days. In-person renewal takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is.

Renewal fees and what they cover

The renewal fee for a Texas driver's license is $33 for a six-year renewal. The renewal fee for a Texas ID card is $25 for a six-year renewal. These fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you renew in person and need a new photo, there is no additional charge — the photo is included in the renewal fee.

Your renewed license or ID card will be valid for six years from the date of renewal. DPS will send you a renewal notice about 90 days before your license or ID expires, which tells you the expiration date and renewal options available to you.

What to do if your license or ID has been expired for more than two years

If your Texas driver's license or ID card has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DPS driver's license office. In-person renewal requires the same documents as a standard renewal — your expired license or ID, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency — but you will also have to pass a vision test and may have to answer questions about your driving record or medical history.

If your license or ID expired more than two years ago, you should bring it with you to the DPS office along with all required documents. If you have lost your expired license or ID, bring a copy of it if you have one, or bring another form of identification such as a passport or state ID from another state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas driver's license if I have moved out of state?

No. You must renew your Texas driver's license or ID card while you are a Texas resident. If you have moved to another state, you should obtain a driver's license or ID card from your new state of residence. If you are temporarily out of state but still a Texas resident, you can renew online or by mail.

What happens if I renew my license but it arrives after my current one expires?

Your current license remains valid until your new one arrives, even if the expiration date has passed. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or return it to a DPS office. You can use your new license when ready upon receipt.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew my Texas license?

No, not unless you choose to or unless your current photo is more than eight years old. If you renew online or by mail, your current photo will be used. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DPS office.

Can I renew my Texas ID card if I do not have a Social Security number?

You will need to provide a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to renew. If you do not have either, you must renew in person at a DPS office, where staff can help you with alternative documentation.

How do I know if I am may be able to access to renew online?

You are may be able to access to renew online if your license or ID is not expired, you do not need a new photo, you have not changed your name, and you do not have certain medical or legal restrictions on your record. The Texas DPS website will tell you whether online renewal is available for you when you enter your license number and date of birth.