Texas driver's license renewal costs $25 for a standard five-year license

The renewal fee for a standard Texas driver's license is $25, and that covers a five-year license. If you choose to renew for eight years instead, the cost is $40. These are the fees you pay to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) when you renew in person or by mail. No additional charges are added on top of these amounts unless you request optional services like a duplicate license or a name change.

The fee structure has remained stable, but it applies only to standard licenses. If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a license with special endorsements, your renewal cost may differ. The best way to confirm your exact fee is to check the DPS website or call your local DPS office before you renew, since your specific license type determines what you owe.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard five-year Texas driver's license renewal costs $25, and an eight-year renewal costs $40.
  • You pay the fee only once when you renew, whether you renew by mail, online, or in person at a DPS office.
  • Commercial driver's licenses and licenses with special endorsements have different renewal fees that you should verify before you renew.
  • The Texas DPS website shows your renewal may be able to access and fee amount before you complete the transaction.

How to pay your renewal fee

When you renew by mail, you include a check or money order with your process packet. The DPS will not process your renewal until payment clears, so allow extra time if you pay by check. If you renew in person at a DPS office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card on the spot.

Online renewal through the DPS website accepts credit and debit cards only. You cannot pay by check or cash online. The payment is processed when ready, and your new license is mailed to you within one to two weeks after approval.

When you might pay more than the standard fee

The $25 or $40 renewal fee covers your license itself. If you request additional services at the same time, those cost extra. A duplicate license costs $11, and a name change on your license costs $20 in addition to the renewal fee. A corrected license (to fix an error the DPS made) is free.

If you renew by mail and the DPS finds an issue with your process—such as a missing signature or unclear photo—they may ask you to visit an office in person to complete the renewal. That visit itself is free, but it delays your license arrival by several weeks.

Renewal by mail versus in person

Renewing by mail costs the same as renewing in person: $25 for five years or $40 for eight years. The difference is in how you submit payment and documents. By mail, you send a check or money order. In person, you pay at the counter and walk out with a temporary paper license the same day while your plastic license is mailed to you.

Not all licenses can be renewed by mail. If your license has been suspended, if you have a medical condition that requires DPS review, or if your photo is more than ten years old, you must renew in person. The DPS website tells you whether your license is may be able to access for mail renewal before you decide which method to use.

What happens if you renew late

If your license has already expired, you still pay the standard renewal fee of $25 or $40. Texas does not charge a penalty or late fee for renewing after your expiration date. However, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, and you may face a traffic citation if you are stopped.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may be required to pass a written test and vision test again, even though you are renewing rather than getting a new license. The DPS will notify you if this applies to you. In that case, you pay the renewal fee plus any fees for the tests themselves.

Renewal fees for military members and seniors

Texas offers a discounted renewal fee for active-duty military members stationed outside Texas. The fee is $10 instead of $25 for a five-year license. You must provide military identification and proof of out-of-state assignment. This discount is available by mail or in person.

Drivers aged 85 and older can renew for a shorter period—two years instead of five or eight—and pay a reduced fee of $13. This shorter renewal cycle allows the DPS to verify that older drivers are still safe to drive more frequently. The two-year renewal is available in person only, not by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license online and pay the $25 fee?

Yes. Online renewal through the Texas DPS website costs the same as mail or in-person renewal: $25 for five years or $40 for eight years. You pay by credit or debit card, and your new license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. Not all licenses are may be able to access for online renewal—the DPS website will tell you whether yours is.

What if I renew for eight years instead of five?

An eight-year renewal costs $40 instead of $25. You save money per year, but you pay more upfront. Eight-year renewals are available to drivers aged 18 to 84. Drivers 85 and older can only renew for two years at a time.

Do I have to pay the renewal fee if I renew by mail?

Yes. You must include payment with your mail process. Send a check or money order for $25 or $40 to the DPS address listed on the renewal form. The DPS will not process your process until the payment is received and clears.

Is there a fee to renew if my license was suspended?

You still pay the standard $25 or $40 renewal fee. However, if your license was suspended, you cannot renew by mail—you must visit a DPS office in person. The office visit itself is free, but you may need to provide documents showing the suspension has been cleared before the DPS will renew your license.

What if I lose my license after I renew and need a duplicate?

A duplicate license costs $11 and is separate from the renewal fee. If you need a duplicate within the same renewal cycle, you pay $11 only. If you renew and then lose your license before it arrives, contact the DPS to report it lost and request a duplicate for $11.