Yes, you can renew your Texas driver's license before it expires

Texas allows you to renew your driver's license up to one year before the expiration date on your current license. This means if your license expires in December 2025, you can start the renewal process as early as December 2024. You do not have to wait until your license is about to expire or has already expired.

The renewal process itself is straightforward, but the method you choose — online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office — depends on how much time you have and whether you need a new photo. Understanding your options now can save you a trip or a wait later.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew your Texas driver's license up to one year before it expires, giving you flexibility in timing.
  • Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if you are renewing without a new photo and your license is not suspended or revoked.
  • Mail-in renewal takes about two to three weeks and works for most drivers, but you will need to include your current license and a check or money order.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if you need a new photo, want to change your address, or have had a license suspension.
  • Your new license will be mailed to you after renewal, so plan ahead if you need it by a specific date.

Online renewal: the fastest route if you may have access to

The Texas DPS online renewal system is available 24 hours a day and takes about 10 minutes. You will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is $61 for a five-year license or $97 for an eight-year license.

Online renewal works only if your license is not suspended or revoked, you do not need a new photo, and your address has not changed. If any of these do not explore to you, you will need to use mail or in-person renewal instead. After you complete the online renewal, the DPS will mail your new license to the address on file, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days.

Mail-in renewal: no office visit required

You can renew by mail if you meet the same conditions as online renewal: no suspension or revocation, no new photo needed, and no address change. To start, read the DL-44 form from the Texas DPS website or request one by mail.

Mail your completed DL-44 form along with your current driver's license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a copy of proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease) to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your packet. Because mail delivery adds time on both ends, plan to send your renewal at least four weeks before you need the new license in hand.

In-person renewal at a DPS office

You must renew in person if you need a new photo, want to update your address, have had a license suspension or revocation, or are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). You will also need to renew in person if you are changing your name or gender marker.

Visit your local DPS office with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form). Bring two forms of identification if you are updating your address. The office will take your photo, process your renewal, and issue a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Wait times vary by location and time of day; many offices are less crowded early in the morning or mid-week.

What to bring and what it costs

The renewal fee in Texas is $61 for a five-year license or $97 for an eight-year license. You pay the same fee whether you renew early or wait until your license expires. Payment methods depend on how you renew: online renewal takes debit or credit cards, mail-in renewal requires a check or money order, and in-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

For any renewal method, have your current license ready. If you are renewing by mail or in person, bring proof of residency (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government mail with your current address) and proof of your Social Security number. If you are updating your address at an office, bring two forms of ID. If you are renewing a CDL or updating your name or gender marker, bring additional documents — the DPS website lists these by category.

Timeline: when to start your renewal

If you are renewing online, you can wait until a few weeks before your license expires because the process is fast and you receive your new license within 7 to 10 days. If you are renewing by mail, start at least four to five weeks before your expiration date to account for mail delivery on both ends and processing time. If you are renewing in person, you can usually complete it the same day, though you will still wait 7 to 10 days for your permanent license to arrive by mail.

Renewing early is useful if you travel soon after your license expires, need your license for a job or identification purpose, or straightforward want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. There is no penalty for renewing early, and your new license will be valid for the full term (five or eight years) from the date it is issued, not from your old expiration date.

What happens if you let your license expire

If your license expires before you renew, you can still renew it, but the process changes slightly. An expired license can be renewed by mail or online for up to two years after expiration. After two years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and driving test, depending on how long it has been expired.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have already submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by police, you can show proof that you have applied for renewal (such as a receipt from an online renewal or a mailed process), but this does not may provide you will avoid a citation. Renewing before your license expires keeps you legal and avoids this risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will renewing early change my expiration date?

No. Your new license will expire five or eight years from the date it is issued, not from your old expiration date. If you renew one year early, your new license will be valid for five or eight years from that renewal date.

Can I renew online if my address has changed?

No. Online renewal works only if your address has not changed. If you have moved, you must renew by mail (including proof of residency) or in person at a DPS office. In-person renewal is faster if you need the updated address on your license right away.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

After you complete your renewal (online, by mail, or in person), the DPS mails your new license to you. Delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days. If you renewed in person, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while you wait for the permanent one.

What if my license has been suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew online or by mail if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a DPS office in person. The office will tell you whether you can renew or whether you must complete other steps (such as paying a fine or completing a course) before renewal is possible.

Can I renew my license if I am out of state?

Yes. Online and mail-in renewal both work from anywhere. If you need to renew in person and are out of state, you can visit a Texas DPS office when you return, or contact your local office to ask about options for your specific situation.