Texas driver's license fees depend on the license type and how long you want it to last

A standard Texas driver's license costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. A Real ID-compliant license costs $32 for four years or $64 for eight years. If you are renewing by mail or online, the fee is the same. If you are replacing a lost or stolen license, you pay $11. Commercial driver's licenses (CDL) cost more and have different renewal periods — a four-year CDL is $100, and an eight-year CDL is $200.

Texas also charges additional fees for certain services: a duplicate license costs $11, a name change on your license costs $11, and a corrected license (for errors the DMV made) is free. If you need your license faster than standard processing, Texas does not offer expedited service at the DMV counter, but you can renew online or by mail if you meet the requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard four-year Texas driver's license costs $16; an eight-year license costs $32.
  • Real ID licenses cost $32 for four years or $64 for eight years and are required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 2025.
  • Commercial driver's licenses cost $100 for four years or $200 for eight years.
  • Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards cost $11, and duplicate licenses also cost $11.
  • You can renew online or by mail for the same fee as an in-person renewal if you meet Texas residency and age requirements.

Standard driver's license versus Real ID: the cost difference

Texas offers two types of standard driver's licenses: a regular license and a Real ID-compliant license. The regular license costs half as much ($16 for four years, $32 for eight years) but cannot be used to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. A Real ID license costs $32 for four years or $64 for eight years and meets federal identification standards.

If you already have a regular license and want to upgrade to Real ID without renewing, you cannot do that in Texas — you must wait until your renewal date or pay to renew early. Early renewal is possible but costs the full renewal fee, not a partial upgrade fee. Most people choose to wait and upgrade when their current license expires.

To get a Real ID license, you must bring proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and proof of Social Security number to a Texas DMV office. You cannot renew a Real ID license online or by mail; you must appear in person at least once every eight years.

Commercial driver's license costs and renewal periods

A commercial driver's license (CDL) in Texas costs $100 for a four-year license or $200 for an eight-year license. These fees are significantly higher than standard licenses because CDLs require a written knowledge test, a skills test, and a medical examination. You must pass all three before the DMV will issue or renew a CDL.

CDL renewals cannot be done online or by mail — you must renew in person at a Texas DMV office. If your CDL expires, you cannot legally operate a commercial vehicle, and you will need to retake the skills test to restore it. Some employers require you to maintain a CDL with a current medical certificate, which adds an additional cost if your doctor charges for the exam.

If you hold a CDL but no longer need it, you can surrender it and convert to a regular driver's license. You will pay the regular license renewal fee, not a CDL fee, but you will need to appear in person to make the change.

Replacement and duplicate license fees

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged and no longer usable, Texas charges $11 to replace it. A replacement license is a new card with a new license number. If you straightforward want an extra copy of your current license (a duplicate), that also costs $11. Both replacements and duplicates can be ordered online through the Texas DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

If you order a replacement or duplicate online, you will receive it by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you order by mail, allow 2 to 3 weeks. If you need the license sooner, you must go to a DMV office in person, though Texas does not offer same-day service — you will receive your card within 1 to 2 business days after your visit.

If your license was damaged because the DMV issued it incorrectly (for example, a misspelled name or wrong address), you can request a corrected license at no charge. You must bring proof of the error and appear in person or submit the request by mail with documentation.

How to pay and what payment methods Texas accepts

At a Texas DMV office, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted. If you renew online through the Texas DMV website, you must pay with a debit or credit card. If you renew by mail, you can include a check or money order payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety."

Online renewal is the fastest and cheapest way to pay because there is no processing delay — your payment is processed when ready, and your new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer because the DMV must receive your payment, process it, and then mail your license.

When you might pay more than the standard fee

You pay the full renewal fee if you renew early — for example, if your license expires in six months but you renew now, you still pay the full four-year or eight-year fee. Texas does not prorate fees based on how much time remains on your current license.

If you need to correct information on your license (such as a name change due to marriage or a corrected address), you may need to renew early. A name change costs $11 and requires you to appear in person with a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. An address change can be done online for free if you are updating your mailing address only, but if you are changing your residential address, you may need to renew and pay the full renewal fee.

If you are a Texas resident who was previously licensed in another state and you want to convert your out-of-state license to a Texas license, you pay the standard Texas license fee ($16 or $32 for a regular license, $32 or $64 for Real ID). You do not pay a conversion fee — you straightforward pay for a new Texas license.

Online and mail renewal: same cost, different timelines

Online renewal and mail renewal cost the same as in-person renewal. You are not charged extra for the convenience of renewing from home. However, not everyone is may be able to access to renew online or by mail — you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Texas license, have no medical or vision restrictions, and meet other requirements set by the Texas DMV.

If you renew online, your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, allow 2 to 3 weeks. If you renew in person at a DMV office, you receive your license within 1 to 2 business days. The fee is the same regardless of which method you choose, so the decision comes down to how quickly you need the license and whether you meet the may be able to access requirements for online or mail renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the full renewal fee if my license is still valid?

Yes. Texas does not offer partial renewals or prorated fees. If you renew before your current license expires, you pay the full fee for a new four-year or eight-year license. The only exception is if the DMV made an error on your license — in that case, a corrected license is free.

What happens if I let my license expire?

If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can renew it by paying the standard renewal fee. If it has been expired for more than two years, you must explore for a new license, which requires you to pass a written test and vision test and pay the standard license fee. You will also need to provide proof of identity and residency again.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about the license type?

No. Once you pay for a license and it is issued, the fee is not refundable. If you paid for an eight-year license and later decide you want a four-year license, you cannot get a refund — you must wait until your eight-year license expires to renew for a shorter period.

Is there a fee to change my address on my Texas license?

If you are only updating your mailing address, you can change it online for free. If you are changing your residential address, you may need to renew your license and pay the standard renewal fee, depending on whether your new address is still in Texas and whether you have other changes to make.

Do military members or seniors get a discount on license fees?

Texas does not offer discounts on driver's license fees for military members, seniors, or other groups. All drivers pay the same standard fee based on the license type and renewal period they choose.