What You'll Pay to Renew Your Texas License

A standard five-year driver's license renewal in Texas costs $25. If you're renewing an eight-year license (available only to drivers age 85 and older), the cost is $16. These are the base fees charged by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and they do not vary by county or location.

The $25 fee covers the license itself and the processing. You pay this amount whether you renew online, by mail, or in person at a Texas DPS office. Some third-party vendors, like certain tax assessor-collector offices, may charge an additional service fee on top of the state fee — typically $5 to $10 — if you choose to renew through them rather than directly with DPS.

If you're adding a Real ID endorsement to your license during renewal, there is no extra charge. Real ID is included in the standard $25 renewal fee. However, if you need to replace a lost or damaged license before your renewal date, that replacement costs $11 and is a separate transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • A five-year Texas driver's license renewal costs $25, paid once every five years.
  • Renewing online through the Texas DPS website costs the same $25 as renewing by mail or in person.
  • Third-party vendors like tax assessor-collector offices may add a service fee of $5 to $10 on top of the state fee.
  • Real ID endorsement is included in the $25 renewal fee and requires no additional payment.
  • A replacement license for a lost or damaged card costs $11 and is separate from renewal fees.

How to Pay When You Renew Online

If you renew through the Texas DPS website (license.texas.gov), you pay the $25 fee by credit card, debit card, or e-check at the time you submit your process. The payment is processed when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation number. You cannot pay by cash or check when renewing online.

Online renewal is available if your license is not suspended, you have no medical conditions that require a vision test, and your address hasn't changed since your last renewal. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person at a DPS office or through the mail.

Paying by Mail or In Person

If you renew by mail, you send a check or money order for $25 to the Texas DPS address listed on the renewal form. Do not send cash through the mail. Mail renewals typically take four to six weeks from the time DPS receives your process.

If you renew in person at a DPS office, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Most offices accept all four payment methods, though it's worth calling ahead to confirm. In-person renewals are processed the same day in most cases, and you'll leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed to you.

When You Renew Through a Tax Assessor-Collector Office

Many Texas counties allow you to renew your license at the local tax assessor-collector office instead of a DPS office. These offices charge the $25 state fee plus their own service fee, which ranges from $5 to $10 depending on the county. You'll pay both fees at the time of renewal.

The advantage is convenience — tax assessor-collector offices are often closer to home and may have shorter wait times than DPS offices. The disadvantage is the added cost. If you want to avoid the extra fee, you can renew online or at a DPS office instead.

What Happens If Your License Is Suspended or Expired

If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go in person to a DPS office, and you'll need to resolve the suspension before the renewal can be processed. The $25 renewal fee still applies, but you may also owe reinstatement fees depending on why your license was suspended.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. A new license process costs $25 and requires you to pass a written test and vision test. If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew it normally for $25.

Additional Costs You Might Encounter

If you need a duplicate license (a second copy of your current license), that costs $11. This is different from a replacement — a duplicate is issued while your original is still valid, whereas a replacement is for a lost or damaged card.

If you're renewing and also need to update your address, change your name, or add a medical condition notation, there is no extra charge — these updates are included in the $25 renewal fee. However, if you need a new photo because your appearance has changed significantly, DPS may require you to visit an office in person rather than renewing online.

If you're renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher. A five-year CDL renewal costs $100. If you're renewing both a regular license and a CDL, you pay both fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the $25 renewal fee in installments?

No. Texas DPS does not offer payment plans for license renewals. The full $25 (or $16 for drivers 85 and older) must be paid in one transaction when you submit your renewal process.

Do I have to pay extra if I renew early?

No. The renewal fee is $25 regardless of whether you renew 30 days before your expiration date or on the day it expires. Early renewal does not cost more, and it extends your license expiration date by five years from the date you renew.

What if I'm renewing and also need a Real ID?

Real ID is included in the $25 renewal fee. You do not pay extra. When you renew, you can request the Real ID endorsement at no additional cost, as long as you bring the required documents (proof of citizenship, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Texas residency).

Is there a fee if I renew online versus in person?

No. The state fee is $25 whether you renew online, by mail, or at a DPS office. The only way the cost differs is if you use a third-party vendor like a tax assessor-collector office, which adds its own service fee on top of the $25 state fee.

What if I lose my license before my renewal date?

A replacement license costs $11 and is separate from your renewal fee. If you replace a lost license and then renew later, you pay both the $11 replacement fee and the $25 renewal fee. The replacement does not extend your expiration date — you still renew on your original five-year schedule.