Where to renew your license in Carrollton

Carrollton does not have its own Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. You will need to visit a DPS Driver License office in a nearby city. The closest options are in Addison (about 5 miles north) or Dallas (multiple locations, 10 to 15 miles south). You can also renew by mail or online if you meet certain conditions, which often takes less time than a visit.

Before you go to an office or submit anything by mail, check the Texas DPS website to confirm current hours and any wait times. Some offices require you to book an appointment online first, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointment slots fill quickly during lunch hours and late afternoons, so arriving early in the day usually means a shorter wait.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online at texas.gov/dps if your license is not suspended, you have not had a name change, and your address is current in the system.
  • Mail renewal works for standard renewals but takes 4 to 6 weeks, so plan ahead if your license expires soon.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS office in Addison or Dallas is fastest if you need your new license quickly or do not meet online requirements.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
  • Renewal fees in Texas are $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license, paid at the time of renewal.

Renewing online through the Texas DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest option if your situation qualifies. You can renew online if your current license is valid (not expired or suspended), you have not changed your name since your last renewal, your address on file with DPS is correct, and you have not had any major violations or medical suspensions. The entire process takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person.

Go to texas.gov/dps and select "Renew Your Driver License Online." You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). Texas will mail your new license to the address on file. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need it faster, you can pay an extra fee for expedited mail, though this is not always available for all renewal types.

Renewing by mail from Carrollton

Mail renewal is an option if you cannot renew online and do not want to visit an office. You will need to complete Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License) or Form DL-43 (Renewal process), available on the Texas DPS website. Print the form, sign it, and mail it along with your current license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee ($33 or $66 depending on the license term you choose).

Send your packet to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 15731, Austin, TX 78761-5731. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date DPS receives your process. Mail your renewal at least 6 weeks before your license expires to avoid driving with an expired license. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.

Visiting a DPS office in Addison or Dallas

The DPS Driver License office in Addison is located at 4848 Belt Line Road, Addison, TX 75001. This is the closest office to Carrollton and usually has shorter wait times than Dallas locations. The Dallas area has multiple offices; the main one is at 4201 E. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76010 (just south of Carrollton). Check texas.gov/dps for the full list of Dallas-area locations and their hours before you go.

Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days), and your Social Security number or a document showing it (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099). If you are renewing a standard license without changes, the visit usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You will pay the renewal fee on the spot and receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.

What to do if your license is expired or suspended

If your license has already expired, you cannot renew online. You must visit a DPS office in person. Bring the same documents as a standard renewal. The fee is the same, but the office will process your renewal as a new issuance rather than a renewal, which may take slightly longer.

If your license is suspended (for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or medical reasons), you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the Texas DPS or the court or agency that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do to clear it. Once the suspension is removed, you can renew online, by mail, or in person.

Renewing a commercial driver license (CDL) in Carrollton

Commercial driver licenses cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must visit a DPS office in person. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, your Social Security number or document showing it, and a current medical certificate (Form MCSA-5875) if your CDL requires one. The renewal fee is $33 for a four-year CDL or $66 for an eight-year CDL.

CDL renewals often take longer than standard license renewals because the office must verify your medical status and commercial driving record. Plan for a 45-minute to 90-minute visit. If you need a new medical certificate, you will have to obtain that from a certified medical examiner before you renew your CDL at the DPS office.

Preparing for your renewal visit or process

Start the renewal process at least 6 to 8 weeks before your license expires. If you are renewing by mail, this gives you time to receive your new license before the old one expires. If you are visiting an office, this timeline prevents long waits during the final weeks before expiration.

Verify your address is correct in the Texas DPS system before you renew. If you moved to Carrollton or changed your address recently, update it first by visiting a DPS office or by mail. An incorrect address will cause your new license to be mailed to the wrong place. You can also update your address online at texas.gov/dps if you have a valid license and a Social Security number on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online if I just moved to Carrollton?

Only if your address change is already recorded in the Texas DPS system. If you recently moved and have not updated your address yet, you cannot renew online. Visit a DPS office or mail in your renewal with your new proof of residency so DPS can update your file at the same time.

How long does a renewed license take to arrive by mail?

Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days for online renewals and 4 to 6 weeks for mail-in renewals after DPS processes your process. Expedited mail is sometimes available for an extra fee but is not may provide for all renewal types. Check your renewal confirmation for the expected delivery date.

What counts as proof of residency for renewal in Carrollton?

A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days and showing your name and Carrollton address. A government-issued ID with your current address also works. The document must show your full name and current street address.

Can I renew my license if it is suspended for unpaid traffic fines?

No. You must pay the fines or resolve the underlying issue first. Contact the court or agency listed on your suspension notice to find out what is required. Once the suspension is cleared, you can renew online, by mail, or in person.

Is there a difference in cost between a four-year and eight-year license renewal?

Yes. A four-year renewal costs $33, and an eight-year renewal costs $66. You choose which term you want when you renew. The eight-year license costs more but means you will not need to renew again for eight years instead of four.