Where to renew your license in Garland

In Garland, you renew your driver's license at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. Garland has one full-service DPS driver license office located at 2502 West Avenue J. This is where you'll go to renew in person, take a new photo, and pass any required vision test.

You can also renew by mail or online if you meet certain conditions — but not all renewals may have access to for those routes. The in-person office is your may provide option if you're unsure whether you're may be able to access for a faster method.

The Garland DPS office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no Saturday or Sunday service. You do not need an appointment; renewals are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, though wait times can run 30 minutes to over an hour during peak times like lunch hours and late afternoons.

Key Takeaways

  • The Garland DPS office at 2502 West Avenue J handles all in-person renewals and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions, and your renewal is not a duplicate or corrected license.
  • Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if you meet the requirements, and you can complete it from home in minutes.
  • Bring your current license, proof of Texas residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to renew in person.
  • Standard renewals cost $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license; fees are the same whether you renew in person, by mail, or online.

Renewing online through the Texas DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest route if you're may be able to access. You can renew at texas.gov/apps/dps/driverlicense from any computer or phone, and the process takes about 10 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

You are may be able to access to renew online if your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions or commercial driving privileges, and you are renewing a standard license (not a duplicate, corrected, or replacement license). Your license must also not be expired by more than two years.

To renew online, you will need your current Texas driver's license number, your date of birth, and your Social Security number or ITIN. You will also need to pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. Once you submit, you'll receive a confirmation number — keep this for your records.

Renewing by mail from Garland

Mail renewal is an option if you meet the same conditions as online renewal: no suspension or revocation, no medical restrictions, and a standard license that is not expired by more than two years. The main difference is that mail renewal takes longer — typically 2 to 3 weeks from the time DPS receives your process.

To renew by mail, contact the Garland DPS office or visit the Texas DPS website to request a renewal process form. Fill out the form completely, include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($25 for four years or $50 for eight years), and mail it to the address provided on the form. Do not send cash.

Include a copy of your current license and proof of your current Texas address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). Mail your packet to the address on the form and keep a copy of everything you send. Processing begins when DPS receives your envelope, not when you mail it.

What to bring if you renew in person at the Garland office

Bring your current Texas driver's license and one document that proves your current address in Texas. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail with your name and address will work.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your ITIN documentation. The DPS office will verify this information against state records.

If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, you cannot update your name on your new license.

Renewal fees and license validity periods

A standard four-year license costs $25 to renew. An eight-year license costs $50. The fee is the same whether you renew in person, by mail, or online. Texas does not offer a six-year option.

Your new license will be valid for the period you choose at the time of renewal. If you are over 85 years old, your license will be valid for four years only, regardless of which option you select. You cannot choose an eight-year license if you are 85 or older.

If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 45 days while your permanent card is being printed and mailed. If you renew by mail or online, you will not receive a temporary license — your current license remains valid until your new one arrives.

When your license is expired or about to expire

You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. If you wait until after it expires, you can still renew by mail or online as long as it has not been expired for more than two years. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at the Garland DPS office.

If your license is currently expired and you need to drive before your renewal arrives, renewing in person is your only option because you will receive a temporary license when ready. Mail and online renewals do not provide a temporary license.

Driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation, even if your renewal is in progress. Do not drive while waiting for your new license to arrive unless you have a temporary license from an in-person renewal.

Special situations: suspension, revocation, and medical restrictions

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it through any method. You must contact the Garland DPS office or the Texas DPS directly to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it. Renewal is not possible until the suspension or revocation is lifted.

If your license has medical restrictions (such as corrective lenses required, or automatic transmission only), you must renew in person. The DPS office will review your medical status and may require you to pass a vision test or provide updated medical documentation.

If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at the Garland DPS office. CDL renewals require a medical examination and may require a road test depending on your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I just moved to Garland from another state?

No. If your current license is from another state, you must explore for a new Texas license, not renew. You'll need to visit the Garland DPS office in person with your out-of-state license, proof of Texas residency, and proof of your Social Security number or ITIN. This is a new process, not a renewal, and the process is different.

What happens if I renew online but then need to change my address before my new license arrives?

Contact the Garland DPS office or call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to update your address on file. Provide your driver's license number and the new address. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address if you contact DPS before it ships. If it has already shipped to your old address, you may need to pick it up there or request a replacement.

Do I have to renew in Garland if I live there, or can I renew at any DPS office in Texas?

You can renew at any DPS office in Texas, not just Garland. However, if you renew by mail or online, you do not need to go to any office — you can do it from home. If you choose to renew in person, the Garland office is the most convenient option if you live in Garland.

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

Your permanent license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days after your in-person renewal. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 45 days. If your permanent license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Garland DPS office to check the status.

Can I renew my license if it was lost or stolen?

No. A lost or stolen license is a replacement, not a renewal, and requires an in-person visit to the Garland DPS office. Bring your proof of residency and Social Security number or ITIN. You will pay a replacement fee (different from a renewal fee) and receive a temporary license on the spot.