What documents to bring to the DPS office
To renew your Texas driver license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current license. Texas requires at least one document from each category. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will not process your renewal without all three.
For identity, bring your current Texas driver license, passport, birth certificate, or military ID. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days. Your name on the residency document must match the name on your identity document, or you will need to bring additional paperwork showing a legal name change.
Bring your current license itself—even if it is expired. If your license was lost or stolen, tell the DPS officer when you arrive; they will help you through the process differently. You do not need to bring your Social Security card, but you will need to provide your Social Security number at the counter.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring one proof of identity (license, passport, birth certificate, or military ID), one proof of residency dated within 90 days, and your current license to any DPS office.
- Your name must match exactly on both your identity and residency documents, or bring a court order or marriage certificate showing a legal name change.
- You can renew in person at any DPS office, by mail if your license is not expired and you meet age and vision requirements, or online through the Texas DPS website if you are between 18 and 84.
- The renewal fee varies by license type and validity period; standard renewals cost less than replacements for lost or stolen licenses.
- Processing takes about 30 minutes in person, but mail and online renewals may take two to four weeks to arrive.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
Walk into any Texas DPS office during business hours with your documents and be prepared to wait. Bring your identity document, residency proof, current license, and the renewal fee. You will fill out form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) at the office—you do not need to print it ahead of time.
The DPS officer will check your documents, take a new photo, and may ask you to read a vision test. If you fail the vision test, you will be told on the spot and given options to correct it or renew with restrictions. Most people finish the entire process in 30 minutes or less. You will receive a temporary paper license good for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you.
If you are over 79 years old, you must renew in person—mail and online renewal are not available to you. If you have medical conditions that affect your driving, bring any relevant documentation; the DPS may add restrictions to your license.
Mail renewal if your license is not expired
You can renew by mail only if your current license has not expired yet. Print form DL-43 from the Texas DPS website, fill it out completely, and mail it with a copy of your identity document, a copy of your residency proof, and your current license to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee—do not send cash.
Mail renewal takes two to four weeks. You will not receive a temporary license, so your current license remains valid during processing. If your vision has changed or you need to update your address, mail renewal may not be the right choice; the DPS cannot conduct a vision test by mail, and address changes sometimes require in-person verification.
Do not mail your original documents if you can avoid it. Make copies instead. If you must send originals (for example, a birth certificate), request certified copies from the issuing agency first and keep one copy for yourself.
Online renewal through the Texas DPS website
If you are between 18 and 84 years old and your license is not expired, you can renew online at the Texas DPS website. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method. The online system will ask you to confirm your address and vision status; if you answer that your vision has changed, you will be directed to renew in person instead.
Online renewal costs the same as mail renewal and takes about two weeks for your new license to arrive. You will not receive a temporary license, so keep your current one safe. The online system is available 24 hours a day, but processing happens during business hours, so applications submitted late at night may not begin processing until the next morning.
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are in a hurry and meet the age and vision requirements. If you have moved recently and your address on file with the DPS is outdated, update it in person or by mail first—the online system uses the address already in the system.
Renewal fees and what they cover
Standard renewal fees depend on how long you want your license to be valid. A five-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, the replacement fee is higher than a standard renewal. Military members and veterans may be may have access to to discounts; ask at the DPS office or check the Texas DPS website for current rates.
The renewal fee covers the new plastic card and processing. It does not cover additional documents like certified copies of your birth certificate or name-change paperwork. If you need those documents, order them from the issuing agency separately and pay their fees.
Payment methods vary by renewal type. In-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Mail renewals accept check and money order only. Online renewals accept debit card and credit card only.
What happens if your name has changed
If you married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your last license, bring proof of the name change along with your other documents. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change is required. Your identity document and residency proof must show your current legal name, or bring both the old and new versions.
If your residency document still shows your old name, bring an additional document in your new name—a bank statement, utility bill, or lease agreement dated within 90 days. The DPS needs to see that you are the same person and that your current legal name is what you claim it is.
Do not assume the DPS has your name-change paperwork on file from another agency. Bring the original or a certified copy. If you lost the original, order a certified copy from the courthouse or vital records office before you go to the DPS.
Expired license and late renewal
You can still renew an expired license in person, by mail, or online—expiration alone does not disqualify you. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, you may be required to renew in person and retake the written test. Call your local DPS office to confirm the rules before you go.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have submitted a renewal process. Do not drive until your new license arrives. If you are stopped by police, show them your temporary paper license (if you renewed in person) or your old license with proof of your renewal process (if you renewed by mail or online).
If your license expired while you were out of state or unable to renew due to a medical emergency, bring documentation of that circumstance when you renew in person. The DPS has discretion to waive the written test requirement in hardship cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I do not have a current address in Texas?
No. You must have a Texas address to hold a Texas driver license. If you have moved out of state, you need to get a license from your new state. If you are temporarily out of state but still a Texas resident, use your Texas address on your renewal process.
What if my identity or residency documents do not match my current name?
Bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal name change. If one document shows your old name and one shows your new name, bring both. The DPS will not process the renewal without proof that both names belong to the same person.
Do I need to take the written test to renew?
No, not for a standard renewal. You only take the written test if your license has been expired for more than two years or if the DPS officer has reason to believe you are not safe to drive. A vision test is always given during in-person renewal.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed. Mail and online renewals take two to four weeks total. If you need your license faster, renew in person and use the temporary license until the plastic card arrives.
Can I renew my license if I owe child support or have unpaid traffic fines?
The DPS will not renew your license if you owe child support or have a suspension on your record for unpaid traffic fines. Resolve the debt or suspension first by contacting the court or the Texas Attorney General's office, then renew. You can check your driving record on the Texas DPS website to see if there are any holds.