Texas driver licenses renew every 8 years, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

Your Texas driver license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the front. You can renew it up to one year before that date, which gives you plenty of time to choose the method that works best for you. Most people renew online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website — it takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person. If you cannot renew online because of vision problems, a name change, or address issues, you can renew by mail or visit a DPS office in person.

The method you choose depends on what has changed since your last license and how quickly you need the new one. Online renewal is fastest and cheapest. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DPS office is the slowest option but necessary if you have a medical condition that affects your vision or if your license was suspended or revoked.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew your Texas driver license online up to one year before your birthday if you have no medical conditions, name changes, or address issues that require verification.
  • Online renewal costs $25 and takes about 10 minutes; your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • Mail renewal requires you to complete Form DL-44, include a check or money order, and mail everything to the DPS; processing takes two to three weeks.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if you have vision problems, a suspended license, or other restrictions that prevent online or mail renewal.
  • You will need your current Texas driver license number and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic check) to renew online.

Renewing online through the Texas DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest and cheapest option if your license is not suspended, revoked, or restricted for medical reasons. Go to the Texas DPS website and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the main menu. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and ask you to confirm your address and personal information.

The online renewal fee is $25, and you can pay with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. After you submit your payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely, if you have changed your name since your last license, or if you need to update your address to something other than what is currently on file. In any of those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Renewing by mail with Form DL-44

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal but does not require a trip to a DPS office. read or request Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License) from the Texas DPS website. Fill out the form completely, including your current license number, date of birth, and address. Sign and date the form in the spaces provided.

Include a check or money order for $25 made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Do not send cash. Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the DPS website — the address changes based on your county, so check the website before you mail anything. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your process. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided on the form.

Mail renewal is a good option if you prefer not to go online or if you have a name change that requires documentation. However, if your license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew by mail — you must appear in person at a DPS office.

Renewing in person at a DPS office

In-person renewal is required if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you have a medical condition that affects your vision or ability to drive, or if you need to update information that cannot be changed online or by mail. Visit your local DPS office with your current Texas driver license and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).

You will complete an process, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee of $25 in cash, by check, or by card. The DPS will issue you a temporary paper license that is valid for 45 days while your permanent license is being printed. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, the temporary license is your proof of licensure.

In-person renewal also allows you to update your address, correct your name, or change other information on your license at the same time. If you have a medical condition that requires a restriction on your license (such as corrective lenses or a hearing aid), the DPS will add that restriction during your in-person visit.

What documents and information you need

For online renewal, you need your current Texas driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You also need a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or electronic check account. That is all. You do not need to gather any physical documents or mail anything.

For mail renewal, you need your current license, a completed Form DL-44, and a check or money order for $25. You do not need to provide proof of address or other documents unless you are changing your name or address.

For in-person renewal, bring your current Texas driver license and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government document dated within the last 60 days. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you have a medical condition, bring documentation from your doctor if the DPS requests it.

Timeline and when your new license arrives

Online renewal is the fastest: your new license arrives within 7 to 10 business days after you submit your process. You can continue driving on your current license during this time. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your process, plus the time it takes for your envelope to reach the DPS office — typically one to two weeks total. In-person renewal is the slowest for receiving your permanent license, but you get a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 45 days.

If your license expires before your new one arrives, you can still drive legally on your current license if you have submitted a renewal process. The DPS considers you to be in the renewal process, and law enforcement will not cite you for an expired license if you can show proof that you have applied.

If you are traveling out of state or out of the country before your new license arrives, you can request an expedited renewal. Contact your local DPS office to learn about expedited options and any additional fees.

Renewing a license that has been suspended or revoked

If your license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must visit a DPS office in person. Suspension and revocation are different: a suspension is temporary and your license will be reinstated automatically on a certain date, while a revocation is permanent and you must meet specific requirements to get your license back.

Before you go to the DPS office, contact them to find out the reason for the suspension or revocation and what you need to do to resolve it. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, provide proof of insurance, or complete a defensive driving course. The DPS office can tell you exactly what is required in your case. Once you have met all requirements, you can renew your license in person at that same visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas driver license if I have moved out of state?

No. You must be a Texas resident to hold a Texas driver license. If you have moved to another state, you need to get a driver license from that state instead. You can contact the DPS to surrender your Texas license, or you can straightforward let it expire and get a new license where you now live.

What if my name has changed since I got my current license?

You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. You must renew in person at a DPS office and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The DPS will update your name during your visit and issue a new license with the correct name.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

If you renew online or by mail, the DPS will use your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, you will have a new photo taken. You can request a new photo during online or mail renewal by visiting a DPS office in person instead.

What happens if I renew my license but it arrives after my birthday?

Your current license remains valid as long as you have submitted a renewal process before the expiration date. If your new license arrives after your birthday, it is still legal to drive. The expiration date on your new license will be eight years from the date you renewed, not from your birthday.

Can I renew my license if I wear glasses or contacts?

Yes. If you wear corrective lenses, your license will have a restriction that says you must wear them while driving. This restriction appears on your license automatically based on your vision test. If you renew online or by mail, your current restriction will carry over. If you renew in person, you may be asked to take a vision test, and the DPS will update your restriction if your vision has changed.