Update your address at the Texas Department of Public Safety website, by mail, or in person at a driver license office

You can change your address on your Texas driver's license without renewing the license itself. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you update your address online through their website, mail in a form, or visit a driver license office in person. Online is the fastest route if you have your current license number and a valid email address. The address change takes effect when ready online, though your physical card will still show the old address until you renew.

Texas law requires you to notify DPS of an address change within 30 days of moving. If you get pulled over or stopped before you update, an officer may issue a citation for failure to report a change of address, though this is enforced inconsistently. More importantly, keeping your address current ensures you receive renewal notices, vehicle registration documents, and any official correspondence from the state.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change at the DPS website is free and takes a few minutes, and your new address is recorded when ready even though your physical card won't change.
  • You must update your address within 30 days of moving, and failing to do so can result in a citation if you are stopped by law enforcement.
  • If you update your address online or by mail, you do not need to renew your license unless it is already expiring soon.
  • When you eventually renew your license in person, DPS will print your current address on the new card.

Update your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS website and select the address change option under driver license services. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask for your new address and a valid email address where DPS can send confirmation. The entire process takes about five minutes.

After you submit, DPS sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Your address is updated in the DPS system right away, which means your record is correct for traffic stops, vehicle registration, and official mail. However, the physical card in your wallet will still show your old address until you renew your license. You do not need to do anything else unless you want the card itself updated sooner.

Mail a change of address form to DPS

If you prefer not to use the online system, you can print and mail Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) or Form DL-44 (process for Texas Identification Card) to the DPS address listed on their website. Include a copy of your current driver's license and proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 90 days. Mail the form to the DPS office listed in the instructions.

Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. DPS will send you a confirmation letter at your new address. Like the online method, your physical card will not change until you renew, but your address will be correct in the state system. Keep the confirmation letter in case you need proof that you reported the change.

Update your address in person at a driver license office

You can walk into any Texas driver license office and request an address change. Bring your current driver's license and proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement from the last 90 days). Tell the clerk you want to update your address without renewing your license. The clerk will process the change on the spot, and your address will be updated in the system when ready.

In-person updates are useful if you want to confirm the change was recorded correctly or if you are already at the office for another reason. You do not need an appointment for an address change at most offices, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Your physical license card will still show the old address until renewal.

What counts as proof of your new address

DPS accepts documents dated within the last 90 days that show your name and new address. Acceptable documents include utility bills (electric, gas, water, internet), lease agreements, mortgage statements, property tax statements, or government mail addressed to you at the new address. A bank statement or credit card statement with your name and address also works. You do not need multiple documents — one is enough.

If you do not have a document in your name yet (for example, if you just moved and utilities are still being set up), ask the DPS office what alternatives they accept. Some offices will accept a signed letter from your landlord or a notarized statement of residency. Call ahead to confirm what your local office will take.

When your physical card gets the new address

Your driver's license card itself will not show your new address until you renew your license. In Texas, licenses are valid for six or eight years depending on your age. When your renewal notice arrives (usually 45 days before expiration), you can renew in person, by mail, or online depending on your situation. At that time, DPS will print your current address on the new card.

If you want the card updated sooner, you can request an early renewal, but this requires paying the renewal fee and going through the full renewal process. For most people, waiting until the regular renewal date is the practical choice. Until then, your address in the DPS system is correct, which is what matters for official purposes.

Address changes and vehicle registration

Updating your driver's license address does not automatically update your vehicle registration address. You must handle those separately. When you update your driver's license, also log into your vehicle registration account on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website or visit a DMV office to update your registration address. This ensures registration renewal notices and vehicle-related mail reach you at the correct address.

If your registration and license addresses do not match, it is not illegal, but it can cause confusion if you are stopped or if you need to renew your registration. Keeping both current and matching is the clearest approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to update my address within 30 days, or is that just recommended?

Texas law requires you to notify DPS of an address change within 30 days. Failing to do so can result in a citation for failure to report a change of address if you are stopped by law enforcement. However, enforcement varies, and many people update later without incident. The safer practice is to update within the 30-day window.

What if I moved but do not have a utility bill or lease in my name yet?

Call your local driver license office and ask what documents they accept as proof of residency. Some offices accept a signed letter from your landlord, a notarized statement, or a government letter addressed to you at the new address. Having a backup option ready before you visit saves a trip.

Will updating my address online affect my vehicle registration?

No. Updating your driver's license address and vehicle registration address are separate processes. You must update your registration separately through the Texas DMV website or at a DMV office. Do both to keep your records consistent and may support you receive all official mail.

Can I update my address if my license is expired?

If your license is expired, you cannot update the address online. You will need to renew your license first, which requires an in-person visit to a driver license office. At that time, you can provide your new address and get a renewed card with the correct information.

How long does it take for my new address to show up in the system?

If you update online or in person, your address is recorded when ready in the DPS system. If you mail the form, processing takes two to three weeks. Your physical card will not change until you renew your license, which may be years away.