Renewing Your License in Dallas: The Basic Process
In Dallas, you renew your driver's license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), not through a city office. You can renew in person at a DPS driver license office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Texas DPS website. Most renewals in Dallas take place at one of the DPS offices located throughout Dallas County — the main office is at 4413 N. Westmoreland Road, but there are several others in suburban areas.
Your renewal timeline depends on when your license expires and what type of license you hold. Texas driver's licenses are valid for eight years (or five years if you are over 79). You can renew up to one year before your expiration date, which means you have a wide window to complete the process without rushing. However, driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas, so plan ahead rather than waiting until the last day.
The cost of renewal in Texas is $33 for an eight-year license or $16 for a five-year license if you are over 79. You must pay in cash, check, or debit card at the DPS office; online renewals accept credit and debit cards. Mail renewals require a check or money order.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew your Dallas driver's license in person at a DPS office, by mail if you have not had a name change or address change, or online through the Texas DPS website.
- Texas licenses are valid for eight years, so you have a full year before expiration to renew without penalty.
- The renewal fee is $33 for a standard eight-year license; bring cash, check, or debit card to a DPS office or use a credit card for online renewal.
- If you renew online or by mail, you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days; in-person renewal produces a temporary paper license when ready.
- You do not need a new photo or vision test if you are renewing a standard license and have not had a name change.
Renewing Online Through the Texas DPS Website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You can renew online only if your license has not expired more than two years ago, you have no name change, no address change, and no corrections needed on your record. You must also have a valid email address on file with the DPS.
To renew online, visit the Texas DPS website (dps.texas.gov), navigate to the driver license section, and select the online renewal option. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and allow you to pay the $33 renewal fee with a credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation email when ready, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal does not include a new photo, so your current photo remains on your new license. This is acceptable for standard renewals but means your appearance on the license may be noticeably different from your current look if several years have passed.
Renewing by Mail From Dallas
Mail renewal is an option if you meet the same conditions as online renewal: no expired license, no name change, no address change, and no corrections needed. You must complete the process form DL-44 (available on the DPS website or at any DPS office) and mail it to the Texas DPS with a check or money order for $33.
Include a copy of your current driver's license (front and back) and mail the packet to the address listed on the DPS website for your region. Processing time for mail renewals is typically 7 to 10 business days from the date the DPS receives your process, though mail delivery itself adds time on both ends. Plan for two to three weeks total.
Mail renewal carries a small risk: if the DPS finds any issue with your process or cannot read a document clearly, they will contact you by mail, which delays the process further. For this reason, many people in Dallas prefer in-person or online renewal for speed and certainty.
Renewing In Person at a Dallas DPS Office
In-person renewal is the most straightforward option if you have time to visit a DPS office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement with your name and current Dallas address), and payment ($33 cash, check, or debit card). You do not need a new photo or vision test for a standard renewal.
The main DPS driver license office in Dallas is at 4413 N. Westmoreland Road. There are also offices in Irving, Arlington, Plano, and other Dallas County suburbs. Wait times vary by location and time of day; early morning or mid-week visits typically have shorter lines than afternoons or Saturdays. You can check current wait times on the Texas DPS website before you go.
When you arrive, take a number and wait to be called. The DPS staff will verify your identity, check your address, process your payment, and issue you a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on the temporary license while you wait for the permanent one.
What to Do If Your License Has Expired or Your Information Has Changed
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must renew in person at a DPS office. You will also need a new photo and vision test. Bring your current or expired license, proof of residency, and payment.
If your name has changed (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must visit a DPS office in person and bring proof of the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DPS will take a new photo and conduct a vision test. The fee remains $33.
If your address has changed, you can update it at any DPS office or online through the DPS website without renewing your license. However, if you are renewing and your address on file is outdated, the DPS will mail your new license to the old address unless you update it first. Visit the DPS website or call ahead to update your address before you renew.
DPS Office Locations and Hours in the Dallas Area
The main DPS driver license office in Dallas is located at 4413 N. Westmoreland Road, Dallas, TX 75211. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, though hours vary by location and may change seasonally. The DPS website lists all Dallas County offices with their specific hours.
Suburban DPS offices in the Dallas area include locations in Irving, Arlington, Plano, Garland, Mesquite, and Frisco. If you live in one of these areas, visiting a nearby office may be faster than traveling to downtown Dallas. Each office handles renewals, so there is no advantage to visiting the main office unless it is most convenient for you.
You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal at most DPS offices, but some offices in high-traffic areas may offer appointment scheduling through the DPS website. Check before you go; if appointments are available, booking one can save you significant wait time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renewing in Dallas
The most common mistake is waiting until your license has expired. Once it expires, you lose the option to renew online or by mail and must visit a DPS office in person, which takes more time. Renew during the year before expiration to keep your options open.
Another frequent error is bringing incomplete proof of residency. The DPS requires a document that shows both your name and your current Dallas address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement works; a credit card bill or ID without an address does not. Check the DPS website for the full list of acceptable documents before you go.
If you are renewing by mail, do not send your original license — send a copy. The DPS will not return your original, and you will have no ID while waiting for your new license. Similarly, do not assume your address is current in the DPS system; verify it online or call ahead, because a mailed license sent to an old address is a common delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license if I live in Dallas but my license was issued in another state?
No. You must first convert your out-of-state license to a Texas license by visiting a DPS office in person with your current out-of-state license, proof of residency in Dallas, and proof of Social Security number. You will take a vision test and have a new photo taken. Once you have a Texas license, you can renew it using any of the methods described above.
What happens if I drive on an expired license in Dallas?
Driving on an expired license is a traffic violation in Texas. You can be stopped and cited, which results in a fine and a mark on your driving record. If your license expired more than two years ago, you also cannot renew by mail or online and must visit a DPS office in person. Renew before expiration to avoid this.
How long is my temporary paper license valid while I wait for my permanent license?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license should arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, so you should receive it well before the temporary expires. If you do not receive your permanent license within two weeks, contact the DPS to check the status.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine in Dallas?
Texas does not automatically block license renewal for unpaid traffic fines, but some courts may request a hold on your license. If the DPS system shows a hold, you will not be able to renew until the hold is cleared. Contact the Dallas court that issued the ticket to resolve the fine or set up a payment plan.
Do I need a new photo if I renew my license in Dallas?
Not for a standard renewal. If your license has not expired, your name has not changed, and your address has not changed, the DPS will use your current photo. If your license expired more than two years ago or your name changed, you will need a new photo taken at the DPS office.