What You'll Pay to Renew in Texas

A standard five-year driver's license renewal in Texas costs $25. If you choose an eight-year license instead, the fee is $40. These are the only two renewal options available to most drivers, and the price does not change based on where you live in the state or which Texas Department of Public Safety office you visit.

The eight-year license costs more upfront but means you will not need to renew again for eight years instead of five. Some people choose it to avoid the hassle of renewing more often; others stick with the five-year option because the lower cost matters more to them right now. Both are valid choices, and you pick which one when you pay.

These fees cover the license itself and the processing. Texas does not charge separate process fees or administrative costs on top of the renewal price.

Key Takeaways

  • A five-year Texas driver's license renewal costs $25, and an eight-year renewal costs $40.
  • You choose your license length when you pay — there is no separate decision step.
  • You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at any Texas DPS office.
  • Online renewals through the Texas DPS website cost the same as in-person renewals and use the same fee structure.
  • If you renew by mail, include a check or money order; Texas DPS does not accept credit cards by mail.

How to Pay When You Renew in Person

When you walk into a Texas DPS office to renew, you will tell the staff member whether you want the five-year or eight-year license. They will tell you the fee, and you pay it right then. Texas DPS accepts cash, personal checks, debit cards, and credit cards at the counter.

Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease works), and proof of Social Security number if you do not have a Social Security card with you. The staff will verify your information, take your photo, and process the payment before you leave. The whole visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the office is.

Online Renewal Payment

If you renew online through the Texas DPS website, you will enter your payment information during the process. Texas DPS accepts debit cards and credit cards only for online renewals — not cash or checks. The fee is the same: $25 for five years or $40 for eight years.

Online renewal is faster than going to an office, but you must meet certain requirements: your license cannot be expired by more than two years, you cannot have a medical condition that affects your driving, and you cannot have changed your name or address since your last renewal. If any of those explore to you, you will need to renew in person instead.

Renewing by Mail

Texas allows mail renewal for some drivers. If you are renewing by mail, you must include a check or money order for the renewal fee — Texas DPS does not accept credit cards through the mail. Make the check payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety."

Mail renewal takes longer than online or in-person renewal because your process has to travel to a processing center, be reviewed, and then your new license has to be mailed back to you. The whole process usually takes three to four weeks from the day Texas DPS receives your envelope. Like online renewal, mail renewal has restrictions: your license cannot be expired by more than two years, and you cannot have changed your name or address.

What Happens If Your License Is Expired

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a Texas DPS office in person. The fee is still $25 or $40 depending on which length you choose, but the office staff will need to verify your identity more thoroughly because your license is too old to use as proof.

Bring your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number on it, a birth certificate or passport, and proof of your current address. The process takes longer than a standard renewal — usually 45 minutes to an hour — because the staff has to run additional checks.

Military and Overseas Renewal Fees

If you are stationed overseas or deployed with the military, Texas allows you to renew by mail without the two-year expiration limit. The fee is still $25 or $40. You will need to include a copy of your military orders or a letter from your commanding officer along with your check or money order.

If you are a Texas resident living abroad for work or other reasons (not military), you can renew online if your license is not expired by more than two years. If it is expired longer than that, you will need to return to Texas in person or use mail renewal with military-style documentation.

Senior Driver Renewal Fees

Texas offers shorter renewal periods for drivers age 85 and older. Instead of five or eight years, you can renew for one, two, or three years. The fee is $25 for any of these shorter periods — it does not increase based on how many years you choose. This option exists because some older drivers prefer more frequent check-ins with the state, or because their doctors recommend it.

You must renew in person at a Texas DPS office to choose a shorter renewal period. The staff will ask about your health and driving ability, and you may be asked to take a vision test or a brief driving skills test. The renewal fee itself stays $25 no matter which length you pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the full renewal fee if I renew early?

Yes. Texas does not prorate the fee based on how early you renew. If you renew six months before your license expires, you still pay the full $25 or $40. Your new license will be valid for five or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired.

What if I lose my license before I renew it?

You will need to replace it first, which costs $11 for a duplicate license. Once you have the replacement, you can renew it normally and pay the standard $25 or $40 renewal fee. You cannot combine the two into one transaction.

Can I renew my license if I owe a traffic ticket or child support?

Texas will not renew your license if you have unpaid child support or certain outstanding court fines. You will need to resolve those issues first. If you try to renew online or by mail, your process will be rejected. If you go in person, the staff will tell you what you owe and where to pay it before they can process your renewal.

Is there a discount if I renew multiple licenses at once?

No. Each license renewal is charged separately at the full rate. If you are renewing your license and your teenager is renewing theirs, you each pay $25 or $40 depending on which length you choose.

What if I change my address during renewal?

You can update your address at the same time you renew, and there is no extra fee. If you are renewing in person, tell the staff member about the address change and bring proof of your new address. If you are renewing online or by mail, you cannot change your address — you will need to renew in person instead.