You can update your Texas driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you change your address without renewing your license early. The fastest route is the online system at the DPS website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you prefer not to use the online tool, you can mail a form to DPS or walk into a driver license office in person. Your new address will appear on your license the same day (in person) or within one to two weeks (by mail or online).

You do not need a new photo or to retake a test. DPS straightforward updates the address in their system and mails you a replacement card with the same license number and expiration date. The process is separate from vehicle registration — your car's registration address can stay the same or change independently.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change tool at the DPS website is free and the fastest option, taking about 10 minutes from start to finish.
  • You can also mail Form DL-43 to the DPS address on the form, or visit a driver license office in person with proof of your new address.
  • Your replacement card arrives by mail within one to two weeks and keeps your same license number and expiration date.
  • Proof of your new address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or other official mail showing your name and current address.

Update your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS online services portal and select the address change option. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm it. You can pay the replacement card fee (currently $11) by debit or credit card.

After you submit, DPS mails your replacement card to the new address you entered. The card arrives within one to two weeks. Your old card remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can use it for identification in the meantime. You will receive an email confirmation of your request.

Mail Form DL-43 to DPS

read or request Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) from the DPS website or any driver license office. Fill in your new address on the form. You do not need to complete the entire process — only the address section needs to be filled in. Include a copy of proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or official mail from a government agency showing your name and current address.

Mail the form and proof to the DPS address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the replacement card fee (currently $11) made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mail delivery typically takes one to two weeks, and DPS processing adds another one to two weeks. Your replacement card will be mailed to your new address once processed.

Visit a DPS driver license office in person

Bring your current driver's license and proof of your new address to any Texas DPS driver license office. Proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or other official document showing your name and new address. You will fill out a short form at the office and pay the replacement card fee (currently $11) by cash, check, or card.

The office will print your replacement card on the spot. You can take it with you when ready. Your new address will be active in the DPS system right away. If you need your card mailed instead, ask the office staff — some locations offer that option, though you will receive it by mail rather than in person.

What counts as proof of your new address

DPS accepts documents that show your name and current address together. A recent utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. Other acceptable documents include a lease agreement or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, insurance documents, or official mail from a government agency like the IRS or Social Security Administration.

The document must be recent — generally within the last 60 days. If you just moved and do not have a utility bill yet, a lease or rental agreement works just as well. If you are staying with someone else temporarily and do not have a document in your name at that address, ask DPS what alternatives they accept, as policies can vary by office.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

Online requests are processed within one to two weeks, and your card is mailed to your new address. Mail-in requests take longer because of postal delivery time plus DPS processing — typically two to three weeks total. In-person requests at a DPS office are the fastest: you walk out with your card the same day if you request it printed on site.

Your old license remains valid until your new card arrives. You can use it for identification, voting, or any other purpose. Once the new card arrives, the old one is no longer valid, though you do not need to destroy it. Your license number stays the same, and your expiration date does not change — you are only updating the address printed on the card.

Updating your address does not change your vehicle registration

Your driver's license address and your vehicle registration address are separate records in Texas. Changing one does not automatically change the other. If you want your vehicle registration to show your new address as well, you will need to update that separately through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can do that online, by mail, or at a local county tax assessor-collector's office.

Some people update both at the same time for convenience, while others leave their registration address unchanged. There is no requirement to match them, though having matching addresses can make it easier if you need to renew your registration or handle other vehicle matters later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to update my address before my license expires?

No. You can update your address at any time, and it does not affect when your license expires. Your replacement card will have the same expiration date as your original license. You only need to renew your license when that expiration date arrives.

What if I moved out of state?

If you no longer live in Texas, you should not update your Texas license address. Instead, you will need to get a driver's license from your new state. You can keep your Texas license as a form of ID, but it will no longer be valid for driving once you establish residency elsewhere.

Can I update my address if my license is expired?

No. You must renew your license first if it has expired. You cannot update the address on an expired license. Contact DPS about renewal options, which may be done online, by mail, or in person depending on how long your license has been expired.

Will updating my address affect my driving record or insurance?

Updating your address does not change your driving record. Your insurance company may want to know about your address change, so contact them separately to update their records. Some insurers adjust rates based on location, so notifying them is important for your policy.

How much does it cost to update my address?

The replacement card fee is currently $11, whether you update online, by mail, or in person. There are no additional charges. If you use the online system, you pay by debit or credit card. By mail, you send a check or money order. In person, you can pay cash, check, or card.