Where to Renew Your License in El Paso

In El Paso, you renew your driver's license at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License office. The main office is located at 4910 Montana Avenue, El Paso, TX 79903. There is also a satellite office at 9420 Viscount Boulevard, Suite B, El Paso, TX 79925. Both offices handle standard renewals, but hours vary — the Montana Avenue location typically stays open longer on weekdays.

You do not need an appointment to renew in person, but wait times can run 45 minutes to two hours during peak times (lunch hours and late afternoons on weekdays). Going early in the morning or on a Tuesday or Wednesday usually means a shorter wait. You can check current wait times on the Texas DPS website before you go.

If you cannot visit an office in person, Texas allows mail-in renewal for licenses that are not expired more than two years and do not require a vision test or address change. The mail-in process takes four to six weeks from the time DPS receives your materials.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew in person at either the Montana Avenue or Viscount Boulevard DPS office in El Paso, with no appointment needed but expect a wait of 45 minutes to two hours.
  • Mail-in renewal is available if your license expired less than two years ago and you do not need a vision test or address change, and takes four to six weeks.
  • You must bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
  • The renewal fee is $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license; you can pay by cash, check, or card at the office.
  • If your license has been expired more than two years, you cannot renew by mail and must take a vision test and written test in person.

Documents You Need to Bring

Bring your current Texas driver's license or ID card. If you have lost it, bring a document that shows your name and date of birth, such as a passport, birth certificate, or military ID. DPS will not issue a new license without proof of identity.

You also need proof of residency — a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your name and current El Paso address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A government check or tax return also counts. Bring the original or a certified copy; a photo of the document is not accepted.

Bring proof of your Social Security number. This can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a pay stub showing your full SSN. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a document issued by a federal or state agency that shows your SSN, such as a tax return or a military discharge paper.

If you are renewing by mail, you do not need to bring documents in person — you mail them with your process form. DPS will return your documents to you after processing.

In-Person Renewal at the DPS Office

Walk in with your documents during office hours. The Montana Avenue office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Viscount Boulevard office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on weekends. Hours can change, so check the Texas DPS website or call 915-834-4400 before you go.

When you arrive, take a number at the entrance. You will wait until your number is called. When you reach the window, hand the clerk your documents and tell them you are renewing. The clerk will verify your information, take a new photo, and ask you to sign. You will not take a written test or vision test unless your license has been expired more than two years.

Pay the renewal fee at the window. A four-year license costs $25; an eight-year license costs $50. You can pay with cash, a personal check, or a debit or credit card. You will receive a receipt and a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to your address on file.

Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, call the DPS office to report it.

Mail-In Renewal Process

You can renew by mail only if your license expired less than two years ago, you do not need a vision test, and you are not changing your address. Request the mail-in renewal form (Form DL-44M) from the Texas DPS website or call 915-834-4400 to have one mailed to you. You can also pick one up in person at either El Paso DPS office.

Fill out the form completely. Include your current license number, your full legal name, your date of birth, and your current address. Sign and date the form. Attach a copy of your proof of residency (the same documents listed above — utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government check). Do not send your original documents; DPS will return copies to you, but originals can be lost in the mail.

Mail the form and your proof of residency to: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0001. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($25 for four years or $50 for eight years) made payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety." Do not send cash.

DPS will process your renewal in four to six weeks from the date they receive your materials. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file. You can use your current license until it expires; the new one does not invalidate the old one during processing.

When You Cannot Renew by Mail

If your license has been expired more than two years, you cannot renew by mail. You must go to a DPS office in person, take a vision test, and pass a written test on Texas traffic laws. You will also need to provide the same documents as a standard renewal (current ID, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number).

If you are changing your address, you must renew in person. The DPS office will verify your new residency with the proof of residency document you bring. Mail-in renewal does not allow address changes because DPS cannot verify the new address without seeing you in person.

If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it. You must contact the DPS office or call 915-834-4400 to find out why it was suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it. Renewal is not possible until the suspension or revocation is lifted.

Fees and Payment Methods

A standard renewal costs $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license. These are the only two options available in Texas; you cannot choose a different term. The fee is the same whether you renew in person or by mail.

At the DPS office, you can pay with cash, a personal check, or a debit or credit card. If you are renewing by mail, send a check or money order only — do not send cash. Make the check or money order payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety."

There are no additional fees for a standard renewal. If you need a duplicate license (because you lost yours), the fee is $11 and you must go to the office in person. If you need to change your name on your license, there is no extra fee, but you must bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

What Happens After You Renew

If you renewed in person, you will receive a temporary paper license at the window. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and can be used to drive when ready. Your plastic card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once the plastic card arrives, the paper license is no longer valid.

If you renewed by mail, you will continue to use your current license until your new one arrives. There is no temporary license issued for mail-in renewals. Your new license will arrive within four to six weeks of DPS receiving your materials.

If your new license does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the DPS office at 915-834-4400. Have your license number and date of birth ready. DPS can check the status of your renewal and reissue your license if it was lost in the mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Texas does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You must renew either in person at a DPS office or by mail. There is no third-party website or service that can renew your license for you.

What if my address changed since my last renewal?

You must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your proof of residency showing your new El Paso address. The clerk will update your address in the system and print it on your new license. Mail-in renewal does not allow address changes.

Do I need to take a vision test to renew?

Not if your license is current and you are renewing in person or by mail. You will take a vision test only if your license has been expired more than two years. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them to the office.

How long is my temporary paper license valid?

Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days from the date it is issued. After 45 days, you must have your plastic license in hand to drive legally. If your plastic license has not arrived by day 45, contact DPS when ready.

What if I moved out of El Paso but still have a Texas license?

You can renew by mail from anywhere in Texas or the United States. You do not need to renew at an El Paso office. Mail your renewal form and proof of residency (showing your current address, wherever that is) to the Austin address listed in the Mail-In Renewal section above.