Where to renew your Fort Worth driver license

In Fort Worth, you renew your driver license at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. The main office serving Fort Worth is located at 1701 Westmoreland Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104. You can also visit other DPS locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area if that location is inconvenient.

You do not have to renew in person for every renewal. Texas allows online renewal for certain drivers — those with a standard Class D license who are not changing their address, adding organ donor status, or correcting their name. Online renewal costs less and takes minutes from home. You can renew online at the official Texas DPS website.

If you cannot renew online, you must visit a DPS office in person. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also schedule an appointment online to reduce wait time. Appointments often fill up weeks in advance, so book early if your license is expiring soon.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal is available for most standard Class D license holders and costs less than in-person renewal, but you cannot change your address or name online.
  • The main Fort Worth DPS office is at 1701 Westmoreland Avenue, and you can also visit other DPS locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
  • You can schedule an appointment online to avoid long waits, though walk-ins are accepted at all DPS offices.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number or a document showing your number.
  • Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days if you renew in person; online renewal takes 1 to 2 weeks.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your current driver license to the DPS office. If your license is expired, bring it anyway — it still serves as identification.

You also need proof of residency. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current Fort Worth address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill or credit card statement will not work.

Finally, bring proof of your Social Security number. You can bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a document from the Social Security Administration. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a birth certificate or passport instead, though the DPS prefers documents that show your number directly.

Renewal fees and payment methods

An in-person renewal of a standard Class D license costs $33 for an eight-year license. Online renewal costs $25. You can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card at the DPS office. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only.

If you are renewing a commercial driver license (CDL), the cost is higher — $100 for eight years — and you cannot renew online. You must visit a DPS office in person and pass a written test if your CDL is expiring.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may have to retake the written test and vision test even for a standard renewal. Ask the DPS office when you call or book your appointment whether your specific situation requires testing.

How long the process takes

If you renew in person at a DPS office, you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Do not throw away the paper license — it is valid identification until your plastic license arrives.

Online renewal takes longer. Your new license will be mailed to you within 1 to 2 weeks. You will not receive a temporary license, so plan ahead if you need to show a valid license before then.

Wait times at the Fort Worth DPS office vary by time of day and day of week. Mornings and weekdays are usually faster than afternoons and Saturdays. If you schedule an appointment, your visit typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.

What happens if your license is expired

You can still renew an expired license at any DPS office. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, you will have to retake the written test and vision test. You may also have to provide additional documents proving your identity and residency.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have renewed it and are waiting for the new one to arrive. Once you submit your renewal process at a DPS office, you receive a temporary paper license that is valid when ready. Use that as your proof of a valid license until your plastic license arrives.

Renewing if you have changed your name or address

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you must renew in person. Bring a document proving your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot change your name through online renewal.

If you have moved to a new address in Fort Worth or elsewhere in Texas, you can renew online only if you do not need to update your address. If you want your new address on your license, you must renew in person. Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.

Renewing a license that was suspended or revoked

If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot straightforward renew it. You must first contact the Texas DPS to understand why it was suspended and what steps you need to take to restore it. Suspensions can result from unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations.

Once your suspension is lifted, you can renew your license normally. If you are unsure whether your license is still suspended, call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 or check your status online at the DPS website. Bring any documents the DPS tells you to bring when you visit to renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. Texas allows you to renew your license up to one year before it expires. Renewing early does not extend your license expiration date — your new license will expire eight years from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew. Plan your renewal for the month your license expires to get the full eight years.

What if I lost my current license?

You can still renew, but you will need to bring additional identification. Bring a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card along with your proof of residency and Social Security proof. The DPS will issue you a replacement license during the renewal process.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

Walk-ins are accepted at all DPS offices, but wait times can be long — sometimes 1 to 2 hours. Scheduling an appointment online reduces your wait to 15 to 30 minutes. Appointments fill up quickly, especially near the end of the month, so book as soon as you know you need to renew.

Can I renew my license by mail?

No. Texas does not offer mail-in renewal for driver licenses. You must either renew online or visit a DPS office in person. Online renewal is the closest option if you want to avoid going to an office.

What if my address is outside Fort Worth but I want to renew there?

You can renew at any DPS office in Texas, regardless of where you live. However, your license will show the address on your proof of residency. If you bring a Fort Worth address, your license will show that address. If you live elsewhere, bring proof of your actual address to may support your license is correct.