Texas lets you renew online if you meet specific requirements
You can renew your Texas driver's license online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website if your license is not expired by more than two years, you have no medical conditions that need to be reviewed, and you have not changed your name or address since your last renewal. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal, and you pay by credit or debit card. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Not everyone can renew online. If your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to update your address or name, if you wear corrective lenses and your last renewal was more than eight years ago, or if you have a medical condition flagged in your record, you must renew in person at a DPS office.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works only if your license expired within the last two years and nothing about your medical status or personal information has changed.
- The fee is $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, paid by credit or debit card at the time of renewal.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up in person or have it expedited through the online system.
- If you need to change your address, name, or medical information, or if your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a DPS office.
Step-by-step process for renewing online
Start by going to the Texas DPS website and selecting the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will pull up your record and confirm your personal information.
Review the information on screen carefully. If anything is wrong — your address, your name, your height, your eye color — stop and renew in person instead, because the online system cannot make corrections. If everything matches, you move to payment. Enter your credit or debit card information and complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number by email and on screen; save or print this for your records.
After you submit, your process goes to the DPS for processing. You do not need to do anything else. Your new license will arrive at the address on file. If you have moved recently but have not updated your address with DPS yet, your license will go to your old address, and you will need to contact DPS to have it reissued to the correct location.
Who cannot use the online renewal system
The online system is closed to you if your license has been expired for more than two years. Texas considers a license that old to require a fresh process rather than a renewal, which means you must visit a DPS office in person, bring proof of residency and identity, and pay the standard renewal fee plus any late fees.
You also cannot renew online if you have a medical condition or disability that DPS has flagged in your file. This includes conditions that affect your ability to drive safely, such as seizure disorders, severe vision problems, or certain neurological conditions. DPS requires an in-person review and may ask for a medical report from your doctor before issuing a new license.
If you wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) and your last renewal was more than eight years ago, you must renew in person. DPS requires a vision test at that point. Similarly, if you need to change your name or address, you cannot do it online — you must go to a DPS office with the required documents.
What happens if you renew online but should not have
If you submit an online renewal and the DPS system later discovers you did not meet the requirements — for example, your license was expired longer than you thought, or a medical flag was in your file — your renewal will be rejected. DPS will notify you by mail and tell you to renew in person instead. You will not lose the fee you paid, but you will have to start over and visit an office.
To avoid this, double-check the expiration date on your current license before you start. If you are unsure whether a medical condition is flagged in your record, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 before you renew online. A few minutes on the phone can save you the frustration of a rejected renewal.
Delivery and what to do if your license does not arrive
Your renewed license is mailed to the address DPS has on file for you. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete your online renewal. You cannot choose expedited shipping or pick up your license in person through the online system.
If your license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DPS by phone at 1-888-589-6556 or through the DPS website. Have your confirmation number ready. DPS can check the status of your renewal and, if necessary, reissue your license to a different address or investigate if it was lost in the mail.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, your old license remains valid until it expires, even though you have already paid for the renewal. You can carry both licenses if you want, but you are not required to.
Cost and payment methods for online renewal
A four-year renewal costs $16, and an eight-year renewal costs $32. These are the standard DPS fees and do not vary based on where or how you renew. You pay by credit card or debit card only — the online system does not accept cash, check, or money order.
The fee is non-refundable once you submit your renewal. If your renewal is rejected because you did not meet the requirements, you do not get the money back, but you can renew in person and will not be charged twice. Some people choose to renew in person the first time to avoid the risk of paying and then having to pay again.
When to renew in person instead
Renewing in person at a DPS office takes longer — you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on the office and time of day — but it solves problems the online system cannot. If you need to change your name, address, or medical information; if your license has been expired for more than two years; if you have a medical condition in your file; or if you wear corrective lenses and it has been more than eight years since your last renewal, you must go in person.
You will need to bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport). If you are changing your name, bring the document that proves the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Bring your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number on it. Fees for in-person renewal are the same as online: $16 for four years or $32 for eight years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license 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. Texas treats renewals that old as new applications and requires an in-person visit, proof of identity, and proof of residency. You will pay the standard renewal fee plus any applicable late fees.
What if I moved and my address changed since my last renewal?
You cannot update your address through the online renewal system. You must renew in person at a DPS office and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. If you renew online without updating your address first, your new license will be mailed to your old address.
Do I need a vision test to renew online?
No vision test is required for online renewal. However, if you wear corrective lenses and your last renewal was more than eight years ago, you must renew in person and will have a vision test at that time. If your last renewal was within eight years, you can renew online without a test.
How long does it take to get my license after I renew online?
Your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete your online renewal. There is no expedited option through the online system. If your license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to check the status.
What if I made a mistake on my online renewal form?
If you notice a mistake before you submit, you can go back and correct it. If you have already submitted and paid, you cannot edit your renewal online. Contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to report the error. Depending on what the error is, DPS may correct it when your license is processed, or you may need to renew again in person.