Yes, you can renew your Texas driver's license online if you meet certain requirements

Texas allows online renewal through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, but not everyone is may be able to access. You can renew online if your license is not expired by more than two years, you have no medical conditions on file that need review, and you have not had certain violations or address changes. If you fall outside these rules, you will need to renew in person at a DPS office instead.

The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing by mail or in person. You will need your current license number, a valid payment method, and a mailing address in Texas. Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online only if your license expired within the last two years and you have no medical restrictions or recent violations.
  • The Texas DPS online renewal system costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, paid by debit or credit card.
  • Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving with your expired license until it arrives.
  • If you do not meet the online requirements, you must renew in person at a DPS office or by mail.
  • You cannot renew online if you have changed your address, have medical conditions flagged in the system, or have certain traffic violations.

Who can renew online in Texas

The Texas DPS limits online renewal to drivers who meet all of these conditions: your license has not been expired for more than two years, you have no medical conditions or restrictions on file, you have not had a license suspension or revocation, and your address has not changed since your last renewal. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person or by mail instead.

You also cannot renew online if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), a motorcycle endorsement, or a license with a hazmat endorsement. Drivers under 18 cannot renew online either. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, you can start the online process and the system will tell you before you pay.

Steps to renew online through the Texas DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS online services portal at dps.texas.gov and select "Renew a Driver License" from the menu. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and tell you whether you are may be able to access to renew online.

If you are may be able to access, you will review your current information and make any corrections (except your address — you cannot change it online). You will then choose your license type: a four-year license or an eight-year license. Next, you will enter your mailing address and payment information. Texas accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number by email.

Do not throw away your old license. You can continue to drive with it until your new one arrives. When your new license comes in the mail, destroy the old one or return it to a DPS office if you prefer.

Cost and payment methods for online renewal

A four-year Texas driver's license costs $16 to renew online. An eight-year license costs $32. These are the only two options available for online renewal; you cannot choose a different term. The fee is paid at the time you submit your renewal request, and Texas accepts all major credit and debit cards.

There are no additional fees for online renewal compared to in-person renewal at a DPS office. However, if you renew by mail instead, the cost is the same but the process takes longer — typically 15 to 20 business days instead of 7 to 10.

What happens after you submit your online renewal

After you pay, the Texas DPS processes your renewal and mails your new license to the address you provided. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. You will also get a confirmation email with your transaction number, which you can use to check the status of your renewal on the DPS website.

Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification. Once your new license arrives, you should destroy the old one or return it to a DPS office. If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DPS to check on the status.

When you cannot renew online and must go in person

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew online — you must renew in person at a DPS office. The same applies if you have changed your address since your last renewal, have medical conditions on file, or have had a license suspension or revocation. You also cannot renew online if you are renewing a CDL, adding an endorsement, or changing your name.

To renew in person, visit a DPS office with your current license (or expired license if it is less than two years past expiration), proof of Texas residency, and proof of Social Security number. The process takes about 30 minutes, and you can drive away with a temporary paper license the same day while your permanent license is mailed to you.

Renewing by mail as an alternative to online

If you do not want to renew online but still prefer not to visit a DPS office, you can renew by mail. You will need to read and print the DL-44 form from the Texas DPS website, fill it out, and mail it along with your current license and payment to the address listed on the form. The cost is the same as online renewal: $16 for four years or $32 for eight years.

Mail renewal takes 15 to 20 business days, which is slower than online renewal. You can only renew by mail if you meet the same may be able to access requirements as online renewal — your license cannot be expired by more than two years, and you cannot have medical restrictions or address changes. If you do not meet these requirements, you must renew in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license online if it expired more than two years ago?

No. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You will receive a temporary paper license the same day and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

What if I changed my address since my last renewal?

You cannot renew online if your address has changed. You must renew in person at a DPS office or by mail using the DL-44 form. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 90 days.

Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?

No. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and licenses with hazmat endorsements cannot be renewed online. You must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, proof of your Social Security number, and any medical certificates required for your endorsement.

How do I check the status of my online renewal after I submit it?

You can check the status on the Texas DPS website using your confirmation number, which was sent to your email after you paid. Go to dps.texas.gov and select "Check Driver License Status" to see where your license is in the renewal process.

Can I use my expired license while I wait for my renewed license to arrive?

Yes. Your expired license remains valid for driving and identification purposes until your new license arrives in the mail. Once your new license comes, you should destroy the old one or return it to a DPS office.