Where to renew your license in Abilene

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) runs all driver license renewals in Texas. In Abilene, you can renew at the DPS Driver License office located at 4250 State Street, Abilene, TX 79602. This is the only location in Abilene where you can renew in person.

You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your situation. Not everyone is allowed to use these methods — your age, license type, and how long it has been expired all matter. The online and mail routes are faster and require no trip to the office, but they are not available to everyone.

Key Takeaways

  • The DPS Driver License office at 4250 State Street is the only in-person renewal location in Abilene, and you do not need an appointment — walk-ins are accepted during business hours.
  • Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if you are under 85, your license is not expired, and you have not renewed online in the past two years.
  • Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and works for most drivers, but you must send your current license and a completed form to the DPS office in Austin.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number to renew in person.
  • The renewal fee is $48 for a four-year license or $96 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card at the Abilene office.

In-person renewal at the Abilene DPS office

Walk-ins are welcome at the Abilene DPS Driver License office. You do not need to schedule ahead. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. Wait times vary, but arriving early in the morning or mid-week often means shorter lines.

Bring your current driver license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the past 90 days. If your address on your license is current, you may not need separate proof, but bringing it anyway prevents delays.

The renewal fee is $48 for a four-year license or $96 for an eight-year license. The Abilene office accepts cash, checks, and debit or credit cards. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You must be under 85 years old, your license must not be expired, and you must not have renewed online in the past two years. You also cannot have a commercial driver license (CDL) or a license with a motorcycle endorsement.

Go to the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov and select "Driver License Online Services." You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a debit or credit card to pay the $48 or $96 renewal fee. The process takes about 10 minutes. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you have had a name change since your last renewal, or if you need to update your address. If any of these explore, you must renew in person or by mail.

Mail renewal for drivers who cannot visit in person

Mail renewal works for most Texas drivers and takes two to three weeks from the time the DPS office receives your materials. Complete form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), which you can read from the DPS website or pick up at the Abilene office. Include your current license, a check or money order for $48 or $96 (made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety), and proof of residency if your address has changed.

Mail your completed form, license, and payment to the DPS office in Austin: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 15888, Austin, TX 78761-5888. Keep a copy of everything you send. Do not mail cash.

Your new license will be mailed to the address on your process. You can continue driving on your current license while you wait. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you are still legal to drive as long as the renewal is in process — but do not let more than 60 days pass without receiving it. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6789.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can still renew using any method — in person, by mail, or online (if you meet the other online requirements). The renewal fee stays the same.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to the Abilene DPS office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You may also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test, depending on how long the license has been expired and your age. Call the Abilene office at (325) 674-1207 before you go to ask whether you will need to take a test.

License types and special situations

Standard driver licenses renew using the methods described above. If you have a commercial driver license (CDL), a motorcycle endorsement, or a hazmat endorsement, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must renew in person at the Abilene office. Bring the same documents as for a standard renewal, plus any additional endorsement materials the DPS requires.

If you have a Real ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star in the top right corner), your renewal is the same as a standard license. If your current license does not have the star and you want one, you must renew in person and bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or state ID, plus proof of residency and Social Security number.

If you have changed your name since your last renewal, you must renew in person. Bring your current license, a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of residency, and your Social Security number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?

Yes, but the method depends on how long it has been expired. If it expired less than two years ago, you can renew by mail or in person. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at the Abilene DPS office and may need to pass a vision or knowledge test.

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

Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after the DPS processes your renewal. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive it within four weeks, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789.

What if I need my license before the new one arrives?

You can continue driving on your current license while your renewal is being processed. If you need proof that your renewal is pending, you can request a temporary paper license at the Abilene DPS office or through the online system, though this is rarely necessary.

Do I have to renew in Abilene if I live there?

No. You can renew at any DPS Driver License office in Texas, not just the one in Abilene. However, your new license will be mailed to the address on your process, regardless of where you renew. If you are traveling or prefer a different location, you can renew there instead.

What if my address changed since my last renewal?

You can update your address during renewal. If you renew in person or by mail, include proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If you renew online, you can update your address during the process. Your new license will be mailed to the new address.