Renewing Your Fort Worth Driver License: The Basic Steps

In Fort Worth, you renew your driver license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). You can renew in person at a DPS office in Tarrant County, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Texas DPS website. Most people renew in person because it takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary paper license the same day.

The fastest route is online renewal, which takes about 10 minutes if you are not changing your address, photo, or signature, and your license is not expired by more than two years. If you need a new photo or have other changes, you must go to a DPS office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works only if your license is not expired by more than two years and you are not changing your address, photo, or signature.
  • In-person renewal at a Tarrant County DPS office requires your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number, and takes about 30 minutes.
  • Mail renewal is available only if you have not renewed by mail in the past five years and meet other restrictions; it takes four to six weeks.
  • Your renewed license is valid for eight years if you are under 85 years old, or four years if you are 85 or older.
  • You can renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last moment.

Where to Renew in Person in Fort Worth and Tarrant County

The main DPS office in Fort Worth is located at 3600 East Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76103. This office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and handles renewals, new licenses, and other transactions. Wait times vary by time of day and day of week; mornings and early in the week are usually shorter.

Tarrant County also has a DPS office in Arlington at 2600 East Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010, with the same hours. If you live closer to Arlington or prefer that location, either office will renew your Fort Worth license. You do not have to renew at the office closest to your home.

Before you go, check the Texas DPS website for current wait times at each location. Some offices allow you to take a number online before you arrive, which can save time on busy days.

Documents You Need to Bring for In-Person Renewal

Bring your current driver license, even if it is expired. You also need proof of residency — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current Fort Worth address dated within the past 60 days. A cell phone bill or credit card statement does not count.

You need proof of your Social Security number. This can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement from ssa.gov. A tax return or paystub will not work on its own.

If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. If you are renewing your license for the first time after turning 85, you will need a medical examination form (Form DL-43) completed by a doctor.

Renewing Online Through the Texas DPS Website

Go to the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov and select "Online Services" or "Renew Your License Online." You will need your current driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information and tell you whether you are may be able to access for online renewal.

Online renewal works only if your license is not expired by more than two years, you are not changing your address, photo, or signature, and you have not renewed online in the past five years. If any of these conditions do not explore to you, the system will direct you to renew in person instead.

If you are may be able to access, you will pay the renewal fee (currently $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license for drivers under 85) by credit or debit card. Your new license will arrive by mail in seven to ten business days. You can print a temporary license from the website to use while you wait.

Renewing by Mail From Fort Worth

Mail renewal is available only if you have not renewed by mail in the past five years, your license is not expired by more than two years, and you are not changing your address, photo, or signature. You cannot renew by mail if you are 85 or older.

To renew by mail, call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 and request a renewal process form. Fill it out, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the form. The process takes four to six weeks from the time DPS receives your process.

Mail renewal is slower than in-person or online renewal, so use it only if you cannot visit a DPS office and do not meet the requirements for online renewal.

License Fees and How Long Your New License Is Valid

The renewal fee for a driver license in Texas depends on how long you want the license to be valid. An eight-year license costs $32 for drivers under 85. A four-year license costs $16. Drivers 85 and older must renew every four years and pay $16.

You can choose either the four-year or eight-year option when you renew, regardless of how long your previous license was valid. Some people choose the four-year option to renew more often if their address or other information changes frequently.

Payment methods vary by renewal type. In-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Online renewals accept credit and debit card only. Mail renewals require a check or money order.

What Happens If Your License Is Expired or Suspended

If your license is expired by more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This means going to a DPS office in person, taking a written test and a driving test, and paying the full new license fee (currently $32 for an eight-year license).

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the Texas DPS directly at 1-888-589-6556 to find out the status of your license and what you need to do to restore it.

If you are unsure whether your license is suspended, you can check the status on the Texas DPS website or call the number above. Do not wait until you are pulled over to find out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Fort Worth license if I moved out of state?

No. If you no longer live in Texas, you must surrender your Texas license and get a license from your new state. If you moved temporarily but still live in Fort Worth, you can renew by mail or online if you meet the requirements, even if you are out of state right now.

How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?

If you renew in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days. If you renew online, your license arrives in seven to ten business days. If you renew by mail, the entire process takes four to six weeks.

What if I need my license before it arrives?

When you renew in person or online, you receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 45 days. This counts as a valid driver license and you can use it to drive. If you need a license sooner than that, you cannot speed up the process — the mail delivery time is set by the postal service.

Can I renew if my address changed?

Yes, but you must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your new proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days) along with your other documents. You cannot renew online or by mail if your address has changed.

What if I lost my current license?

If your license is lost or stolen, you must explore for a replacement, not a renewal. Go to a DPS office in person with your proof of residency and proof of Social Security number. A replacement costs less than a full new license but more than a renewal. You will get a temporary license the same day.