Documents and fees you'll need to bring

To renew your Texas driver's license, you need to bring your current license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee. Texas charges $16 for a four-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DPS office.

Proof of residency means a document showing your name and current Texas address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days. A phone bill or insurance statement also works. You need only one document, and it must show your full name and street address.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or court order — bring the document that proves the change. This could be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, you cannot renew under a different name.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your current Texas driver's license, one proof of residency document dated within 90 days, and $16 or $32 depending on whether you want a four-year or eight-year renewal.
  • Proof of residency must show your full name and current address and can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement.
  • If your name has changed, you must bring the legal document proving the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
  • You can renew in person at any Texas DPS office, by mail if you meet age and medical requirements, or online through the DPS website if you are between 18 and 84 with no medical conditions.

Renewing by mail or online instead of in person

Texas allows some drivers to renew without visiting a DPS office. If you are between 18 and 84 years old, have no medical conditions that affect your driving, and your license is not suspended or revoked, you can renew online through the Texas DPS website. Online renewal costs $16 for four years or $32 for eight years, and you do not need to bring documents — you upload a photo during the process.

Mail renewal is available only if you are 65 or older. You send your current license, the renewal fee, and a completed DL-44 form to the address listed on the DPS website. Mail renewal takes longer than in-person or online renewal, typically two to three weeks, because the form must travel to a DPS office and your new license must be mailed back to you.

If you do not meet the requirements for online or mail renewal, you must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and the fee. In-person renewal is usually completed the same day.

What happens if your license has been suspended or expired for more than two years

If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it. You must first resolve the suspension with the Texas DPS. Suspensions happen for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or medical conditions reported to the DPS. Contact the DPS directly to find out why your license is suspended and what you must do to lift it.

If your license expired more than two years ago, renewal is not an option — you must explore for a new license instead. This requires taking the written test and vision test again, and you must bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. A new license costs $32 for eight years.

Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)

Commercial driver's licenses have stricter renewal rules than regular licenses. You must renew in person at a DPS office — online and mail renewal are not available. You need your current CDL, proof of residency, and the renewal fee, which is $32 for four years or $64 for eight years.

You must also pass a medical examination by a certified medical examiner and bring the completed Medical Examiner's Certificate (MCSA-5875) to the DPS office. The medical exam is not performed at the DPS office; you must schedule it separately with a doctor on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The exam costs money, but the amount varies by provider.

If your CDL is expired or suspended, the same rules explore as for regular licenses — you cannot renew a suspended license, and if it has been expired for more than two years, you must explore for a new one.

Bringing documents if you were born outside the United States

If you were born outside the United States, you need to bring proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency in addition to your current license and proof of residency. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory, Certificate of Naturalization, or Permanent Resident Card (green card).

If you are renewing online, you cannot use this method — you must renew in person at a DPS office so an employee can verify your citizenship or residency document. Bring the original document or a certified copy.

Renewing before your license expires versus after

You can renew your Texas license up to one year before it expires. Renewing early does not cost extra, and your new license will be valid for the full four or eight years from the date it is issued, not from the date your old license expired. Many people renew early to avoid the rush near the expiration date.

If your license has already expired, you can still renew it using the same process and documents. However, if it expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new license instead of renewing. Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have already submitted your renewal.

What to do if you cannot find your current license

If you have lost your license or it was stolen, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a replacement or a new license. A replacement costs $11 and takes about two weeks if you order it by mail or the same day if you explore in person. You need proof of identity and proof of residency, but not your old license.

If you cannot locate your license but believe it still exists, you can still explore for a replacement. The DPS will issue you a new one, and your old license will no longer be valid. If your old license turns up later, do not use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license if I moved out of state?

No. You must have a Texas address to renew a Texas license. If you have moved to another state, you should explore for a license in your new state instead. You can keep your Texas license as a form of identification, but you cannot renew it.

What if I do not have a proof of residency document?

You must have one of the accepted documents to renew. If you do not have a utility bill, lease, or bank statement in your name, ask your landlord, utility company, or bank for a copy. Some documents can be printed from online accounts. If you cannot obtain any of these, contact the DPS to ask about alternatives for your situation.

How long does it take to get my renewed license after I explore?

In-person renewal is usually completed the same day, and you can pick up your new license when ready or have it mailed to you. Online renewal takes about one to two weeks. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks because your process and new license must travel by post.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

If you renew online, you upload a new photo during the process. If you renew in person, the DPS takes a new photo at the office. If you renew by mail, your photo from your current license is used on your new license, so you do not need to provide a new one.

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets?

Unpaid traffic fines can result in a license suspension, which prevents renewal. If your license is suspended, contact the DPS or the court that issued the ticket to find out what you owe and how to pay it. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew normally.