What Texas Offers Online and Who Can Use It
Texas allows you to renew your driver license online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website if you meet specific requirements. You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, or if you need to change your address, name, or other personal information. You also cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than two years, or if you are under 18 years old.
The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal. You will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days after your process is processed. During that time, you can print a temporary license from the DPS website to use while you wait.
If you do not meet the requirements for online renewal, you will need to visit a DPS driver license office in person. The DPS website has a locator tool to find the office nearest to you.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your current license is valid (not suspended, revoked, or expired for more than two years) and you have not changed your address or name.
- Online renewal costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- You will receive your new license by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can print a temporary license when ready after submitting your process.
- You must have a valid email address and a payment method (debit or credit card) to renew online.
- If you cannot renew online, you must visit a DPS driver license office in person with the required documents.
Step-by-Step Process for Online Renewal
Start by going to the Texas DPS website and selecting the online renewal option. You will need your current driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in. The system will pull up your record and show you the information on file.
Review all the information displayed — your name, address, date of birth, and other details. If anything is incorrect, you cannot proceed with online renewal; you will need to visit a driver license office in person to make changes. If everything is correct, proceed to the next step.
You will then be asked to confirm your mailing address and choose your renewal term (four or eight years). Enter your email address and select your payment method. Texas accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number and a link to print your temporary license.
Keep your confirmation number for your records. The DPS will mail your new license to the address you provided. You can check the status of your renewal process on the DPS website using your confirmation number.
Documents and Information You Need Before Starting
You do not need to upload or mail any documents to renew online. However, you must have the following information ready before you begin:
- Your current Texas driver license number
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
- A valid email address
- A debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover)
If you do not have your license number, you can look it up on the DPS website using your name and date of birth, but you will still need your Social Security number to proceed. If you have lost your license or do not have access to this information, you will need to visit a driver license office in person.
When Your License Expires and Renewal important date
Your Texas driver license expiration date is printed on the front of your card. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. The DPS recommends renewing at least two weeks before your expiration date to may support your new license arrives before the old one expires.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew online as long as it expired less than two years ago. If it expired more than two years ago, you must visit a driver license office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test.
Texas does not send renewal reminders by mail or email, so mark your expiration date on a calendar or set a phone reminder. You can also check your expiration date anytime by logging into your DPS account online.
Temporary License and What to Do While You Wait
After you submit your online renewal process, you can when ready print a temporary license from the DPS website. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and can be used for driving, identification, and other purposes while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
Print the temporary license on white paper and carry it with you. It is not laminated and will wear quickly, so handle it carefully. If it becomes damaged or unreadable before your permanent license arrives, you can print another copy from the DPS website using your confirmation number.
Your new permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If more than 10 business days have passed and you have not received it, contact the DPS to check the status of your process. Have your confirmation number ready when you call.
Common Reasons Online Renewal Will Not Work
The most common reason the online system rejects an process is a mismatch between the information you enter and the information in the DPS database. If your name, address, or date of birth has changed, you cannot renew online. You must visit a driver license office in person to update your information first, then you can renew online at a later time.
If your license has been suspended or revoked, the online system will not allow you to renew. You must resolve the suspension or revocation at a driver license office before you can renew. This may involve paying a reinstatement fee or completing other requirements depending on why your license was suspended.
If your license expired more than two years ago, the online system will reject your process. You will need to visit a driver license office in person. Depending on how long it has been expired, you may be required to retake the written test, vision test, or both.
If you are under 18 years old, you cannot renew online. You must visit a driver license office in person with a parent or guardian and your original documents.
Payment Methods and Fees
Texas accepts four payment methods for online renewal: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You cannot pay by check, money order, or cash online. Your payment is processed when ready when you submit your process.
The renewal fee is $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. These are the only two options available for online renewal. There are no additional fees for processing or mailing. If your payment is declined, the DPS will send you an email with instructions on how to resubmit your process.
Keep your receipt or confirmation number for your records. If you need to dispute a charge or have questions about your payment, contact the DPS customer service line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license online if I changed my address?
No. If you have moved, you must visit a driver license office in person to update your address before you can renew online. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement, along with your current license and proof of identity.
What if I don't receive my new license within 10 business days?
Contact the Texas DPS to check the status of your process. Have your confirmation number ready. If there is a delay, the DPS can reissue your license or investigate whether it was lost in the mail. You can continue to use your printed temporary license while you wait.
Can I renew online if my license was suspended for unpaid traffic tickets?
No. You must resolve the suspension at a driver license office in person. This usually involves paying the outstanding fines or completing a defensive driving course. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew online or in person.
Do I need to take a new photo for online renewal?
No. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. Your new license will have the same photo unless you choose to visit a driver license office in person to take a new one.
What happens if my payment is declined during online renewal?
The transaction will be cancelled and your process will not be submitted. The DPS will send you an email with instructions to resubmit your process with a different payment method. Your card issuer may have blocked the transaction, so contact your bank if the problem continues.