Texas driver's license renewal costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license

The fee you pay depends on which renewal period you choose. A four-year renewal costs $16. An eight-year renewal costs $32. You pay this fee once, at the time you renew, whether you renew in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office or by mail.

These are the only fees the state charges for a standard renewal. If you need a duplicate license, a name change, or a corrected address, those are separate transactions with their own fees — but a routine renewal is one of those two amounts.

The fee covers the cost of producing and mailing your new license. Texas does not charge separate process, processing, or administrative fees on top of the renewal cost.

Key Takeaways

  • A four-year Texas driver's license renewal costs $16; an eight-year renewal costs $32.
  • You pay the fee once when you renew, whether you go to a DPS office or renew by mail.
  • No additional fees are charged for a standard renewal — the renewal fee covers production and mailing.
  • If you need a duplicate, name change, or address correction, those are separate transactions with different fees.
  • Payment methods at DPS offices include cash, check, debit card, and credit card; mail renewals require a check or money order.

How to pay your renewal fee

If you renew in person at a DPS office, you can pay with cash, a personal check, a debit card, or a credit card. Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity if your license has expired more than two years.

If you renew by mail, you must include a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash through the mail. Make the check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Include it with your renewal process and mail everything to the address listed on the renewal form.

Some DPS offices may accept online payment before you arrive, but this varies by location. Call your local DPS office or check the Texas DPS website to see if that option is available in your area.

When the renewal fee changes

Texas has not changed these renewal fees since 2009. The four-year renewal has remained $16 and the eight-year renewal has remained $32 for over a decade. However, state legislatures can raise fees, so it is worth checking the Texas DPS website or calling ahead if you are renewing after a long gap.

If you renew before your current license expires, you pay the standard renewal fee. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may have to take a written test and vision test in addition to paying the renewal fee — and you will need to renew in person rather than by mail.

Renewal by mail versus in-person renewal

The renewal fee is the same whether you renew by mail or in person — $16 for four years or $32 for eight years. The difference is in what you can do and how long it takes.

By mail, you fill out the renewal form, include your check or money order, and mail everything to the DPS. You cannot renew by mail if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to update your address, or if you need a new photo. Processing by mail takes two to three weeks after the DPS receives your process.

In person, you go to a DPS office, pay your fee, and usually leave with your license the same day or within a few days. You can update your address, get a new photo, and handle other changes at the same time. In-person renewal is the only option if your license has expired for more than two years.

What the renewal fee does and does not cover

The renewal fee covers the cost of producing your new license card and mailing it to you. It does not cover the cost of a replacement if you lose your license after you receive it, and it does not cover a duplicate license (a second copy of your current license).

If you lose your renewed license and need a duplicate, you pay a separate duplicate fee of $11 for a four-year license or $22 for an eight-year license. If you need to change your name, correct an error on your license, or update your address between renewals, those are separate transactions with their own fees.

The renewal fee also does not include the cost of a Real ID-compliant license, which is the same as a standard license in Texas — there is no extra charge to make your renewed license Real ID-compliant as long as you bring the required documents (a birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency).

Choosing between four-year and eight-year renewal

The choice between a four-year and eight-year renewal is yours. A four-year renewal costs $16 and means you renew more often. An eight-year renewal costs $32 and means you renew less often. Over 16 years, two four-year renewals cost $32 total, the same as two eight-year renewals, so the cost per year is identical.

Most people choose based on convenience. If you expect your address or name to change, or if you want a new photo more often, a four-year renewal may suit you better. If you want to renew less frequently and do not mind paying $32 at once, an eight-year renewal is the better choice.

You can switch between four-year and eight-year renewals each time you renew. There is no penalty for choosing the shorter period, and you can choose the longer period next time if you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the renewal fee online before I go to the DPS office?

Some DPS offices allow online payment before you arrive, but this is not available everywhere in Texas. Contact your local DPS office or check the Texas DPS website to see if online payment is an option in your area. If it is not, you can pay in person with cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

What if I cannot afford the renewal fee right now?

Texas does not offer payment plans or fee waivers for driver's license renewal. The fee is due in full when you renew. If your license is about to expire and you cannot renew yet, you can continue to drive on your current license until it expires. Once it expires, you cannot legally drive, and you will need to pay the renewal fee to get back on the road.

Do I pay the renewal fee if I renew early?

Yes, you pay the full renewal fee even if you renew before your current license expires. Early renewal does not reduce the fee. Your new license will be valid for four or eight years from the date you renew, not from the expiration date of your old license.

Is there a fee to renew my license if I am over 85 years old?

No. Texas does not charge a renewal fee for drivers age 85 and older. You still need to renew your license and meet the vision and knowledge requirements, but you do not pay the $16 or $32 fee. You will need to renew in person at a DPS office.

What happens if I do not pay the renewal fee?

If you do not pay the renewal fee, your renewal process will not be processed, and your license will expire. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive. You will need to pay the renewal fee in full to renew and restore your driving privileges.