Where to renew your license in Lubbock

In Lubbock, you renew your driver's license at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Division office. The main location is at 5302 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79412. This is the only DPS office in Lubbock County where you can complete a renewal in person.

You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your license type and how long it has been expired. Not all renewal methods work for all drivers — your may be able to access depends on your age, whether you wear corrective lenses, and when your license last expired.

The Lubbock DPS office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no Saturday or evening service. You do not need an appointment; the office operates on a first-come, first-served basis, though wait times can run 30 minutes to over an hour during lunch and late afternoon.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard five-year licenses cost $45 in Texas; Real ID-compliant licenses cost $60 and require proof of citizenship or lawful presence.
  • You can renew online or by mail only if your license is not expired, you are between 18 and 84, and you do not need a vision test or corrective lens change.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number.
  • If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person and may need to pass a written test and vision exam.
  • Real ID licenses require a birth certificate, passport, or state-issued ID proving citizenship; standard licenses do not.

Documents you need for an in-person renewal

Bring your current Texas driver's license or ID card. If your license is lost or stolen, you will need to explore for a replacement instead of a renewal, which requires additional steps.

You must also bring proof of residency. Texas accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank or credit union statement, or government-issued mail (such as a tax return or court document) dated within 90 days of your visit. A cell phone bill does not count. If you have moved recently and your current license shows an old address, bring both the old proof and new proof.

Have your Social Security number ready. You do not need to bring a card, but you must know the number. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring documentation of your immigration status instead.

If you are renewing a Real ID license (marked with a gold star in the top right corner), bring one document proving citizenship or lawful presence: a U.S. birth certificate, passport, passport card, certificate of naturalization, or permanent resident card. A standard license renewal does not require this.

Online and mail renewal options

You can renew online through the Texas DPS website if all of these conditions are true: your license is not expired, you are between 18 and 84 years old, you do not wear corrective lenses or your prescription has not changed, and you do not need to update your photo. Online renewal costs $45 for a standard license and takes about 7 to 10 business days for your new license to arrive by mail.

Mail renewal follows the same rules as online renewal. You send your current license, a completed DL-44 form (available on the Texas DPS website), and a check or money order for $45 to the DPS office. Mail renewal typically takes 3 to 4 weeks. Do not send cash.

If you wear corrective lenses, your vision has changed, or your license is already expired, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to the Lubbock DPS office in person.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license expired less than two years ago, you can still renew it at the DPS office without retaking the written test or vision exam. Bring the same documents as a standard renewal. The fee is still $45 for a standard license.

If your license has been expired for two years or longer, you must renew in person and you will be required to pass the written knowledge test and a vision exam. You may also need to provide a new photo. This process takes longer than a standard renewal — plan for 45 minutes to an hour at the office. The fee remains $45.

You cannot drive legally on an expired license, even if you have started the renewal process. If you are stopped by police, an expired license can result in a traffic citation.

Real ID versus standard license renewal

Texas offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a Real ID-compliant license. A Real ID license has a gold star in the top right corner and meets federal identification standards for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A standard license does not.

Real ID renewal costs $60 instead of $45 and requires proof of citizenship or lawful presence (birth certificate, passport, or similar document). Standard renewal costs $45 and does not require citizenship documentation. Both are valid for driving in Texas.

If your current license is a standard license and you want to switch to Real ID, you must renew in person at the Lubbock DPS office and bring citizenship documentation. You cannot upgrade online or by mail. If you are renewing a Real ID license, you can renew online or by mail if you meet the other conditions (not expired, no vision change, no photo update needed).

Fees and payment methods at the Lubbock office

A standard five-year driver's license renewal costs $45. A Real ID license costs $60. Both prices are set by Texas and do not vary by location. The Lubbock DPS office accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you are renewing by mail, send a check or money order only — do not send cash.

If you are renewing a license that expired more than two years ago and must retake the written test, there is no additional fee beyond the $45 or $60 license cost. The test itself is free.

Common mistakes to avoid at the Lubbock DPS office

Bringing proof of residency dated more than 90 days old is the most common reason for rejection. Check the date on your utility bill or bank statement before you go. If your current address does not match your license, bring both old and new proof.

Arriving without your Social Security number or a way to verify it can delay your renewal. You do not need the card itself, but you must know the number. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring immigration documentation instead.

Attempting to renew a Real ID license online or by mail when your vision has changed will result in rejection. If you wear glasses or contacts and your prescription has changed, you must renew in person so the office can update your vision correction code.

Forgetting that you cannot drive on an expired license, even while your renewal is being processed, can result in a traffic stop and citation. Do not wait until your license expires to start the renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have an out-of-state address?

No. To renew a Texas license, you must show proof of a Texas address dated within 90 days. If you have moved out of state, you must surrender your Texas license and obtain a license from your new state. If you are temporarily out of state but still a Texas resident, bring a utility bill or lease from your Texas address.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?

You cannot renew a lost license. You must first obtain a replacement license, then renew it later. A replacement costs $45 and requires the same documents as a renewal. You can do both in one visit to the Lubbock office, but they are two separate transactions.

How long does it take to get my renewed license after I visit the Lubbock office?

If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready. Your plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving while you wait for the permanent one.

Do I need an appointment to renew at the Lubbock DPS office?

No. The office operates first-come, first-served. However, you can check current wait times on the Texas DPS website before you go. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits than lunch time or Friday afternoon.

Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked status?

No. You must clear any suspension or revocation before you can renew. Contact the Texas DPS directly or visit the office to find out why your license is suspended and what steps you need to take to restore it.