You can renew by mail, but only if you meet specific conditions

Texas allows mail renewal for driver's licenses, but only for certain people. You must have a valid license that is not suspended or revoked, you cannot have any address changes to report, and your license cannot be expired by more than two years. If you meet these conditions, you can mail your renewal process to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) without visiting a driver's license office.

The mail renewal process takes longer than renewing in person — typically four to six weeks from the time DPS receives your process. You will not have a valid license during this waiting period, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new license arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail renewal works only if your license is valid, not suspended, and expired no more than two years ago.
  • You must submit Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), your current license, and the renewal fee by mail to DPS.
  • Processing takes four to six weeks, during which you will not have a valid license to drive.
  • If your address changed, your license is suspended, or you need a new photo, you must renew in person at a DPS office instead.

Who can renew by mail in Texas

You are may be able to access for mail renewal if all of these explore: your current driver's license is valid and not suspended or revoked, you have not changed your address since your license was issued, your license expired no more than two years ago, and you do not need to update your name, gender marker, or other personal information on the license.

If your license is suspended for any reason — unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a medical suspension — you cannot renew by mail. You must resolve the suspension first by visiting a DPS office in person. The same applies if your license has been revoked.

If you moved to a new address, even within Texas, you cannot use mail renewal. Address changes require you to appear in person at a driver's license office so DPS can verify your residency.

What documents and fees you need to mail

You will need to send the following items together in one envelope: your completed Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), your current driver's license, and the renewal fee. Form DL-44 is available on the DPS website or you can request it by mail from DPS.

The renewal fee varies depending on the length of your new license. A four-year license costs $33, and an eight-year license costs $65. You can pay by check or money order made out to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Do not send cash.

Mail your complete process to the address listed on the Form DL-44 instructions. Keep a copy of everything you send, including the form and a photo of your check or money order, in case DPS needs to contact you about your process.

How long mail renewal takes and what to expect

From the moment DPS receives your mailed process, processing typically takes four to six weeks. This means you will not have a valid driver's license during that time. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you will be driving without a valid license, which is illegal in Texas.

DPS will mail your new license to the address on file with your current license. If you moved but did not update your address (which is why you may have access to for mail renewal in the first place), make sure your mail will reach you at that location, or contact DPS before mailing your process to update it.

If DPS finds a problem with your process — a missing signature, incorrect fee, or illegible information — they will contact you by mail. This adds additional weeks to the process. For this reason, double-check your form and make sure your check or money order is filled out correctly before you mail it.

When you must renew in person instead

If any of the following explore to you, mail renewal is not an option and you must visit a DPS office: your license is suspended or revoked, your license expired more than two years ago, you need to change your address, you need a new photo, you want to update your name or gender marker, or your license was lost or stolen.

You also must renew in person if you want to change your license class (for example, adding a motorcycle endorsement) or if you need to correct information on your license. In-person renewal at a DPS office typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license to drive while your permanent license is mailed to you.

How to track your mailed renewal process

DPS does not offer a tracking system for mailed renewal applications. Once you mail your form, you will not know the status until either your new license arrives or DPS contacts you about a problem.

If more than eight weeks have passed since you mailed your process and you have not received your new license, contact the DPS Driver License Division by phone or visit a local DPS office in person with your receipt or proof of mailing. Bring a copy of the form you sent and any correspondence from DPS.

Alternatives if mail renewal does not work for you

If you do not meet the requirements for mail renewal, you can renew in person at any DPS office. In-person renewal is faster — you will receive a temporary license to drive when ready and your permanent license within two weeks. You can also renew online if you have a Real ID-compliant license and meet certain other conditions, though online renewal also has restrictions similar to mail renewal.

Some DPS offices offer appointment scheduling through their website, which can reduce wait times. If you need to renew quickly — for example, because your license expires soon and you need to drive — scheduling an appointment in person is usually your fastest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew by mail if my license is expired by more than two years?

No. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DPS office. DPS treats licenses expired longer than two years as invalid for mail renewal purposes.

What if I moved but have not updated my address yet?

You cannot use mail renewal if you have moved. Mail renewal requires that your address has not changed since your license was issued. You must renew in person and update your address at the same time.

Do I need a new photo for mail renewal?

No. Mail renewal uses your current photo from your existing license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DPS office.

What happens if DPS loses my mailed process?

This is rare, but if your process does not arrive or gets lost, DPS will not contact you. If eight weeks pass without your new license, contact DPS with proof of your mailing (like a tracking receipt) and they can investigate or allow you to resubmit.

Can I mail my renewal process from outside Texas?

Yes, you can mail your process from anywhere. Use the mailing address on Form DL-44. Mail from outside the United States may take longer to arrive, so factor in additional time for international mail delivery.