You can renew your Texas driver's license by phone, but only if you meet specific conditions

Texas allows phone renewal for driver's licenses, but the state limits it to people whose licenses are not expired by more than two years and who have no medical conditions or restrictions that changed since their last license was issued. If you meet those requirements, you can call the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 1-888-589-6556 to renew without visiting a driver's license office.

The phone renewal process is faster than going in person, but it does not work for everyone. If your license has been expired for longer than two years, if you need to update your address, if you have new medical information to report, or if you want to change your photo, you will need to renew in person instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Phone renewal works only if your license expired within the last two years and you have no new medical conditions or address changes to report.
  • Call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 during business hours to start a phone renewal; you will need your driver's license number and a payment method ready.
  • Your new license will be mailed to the address on file, so if you have moved, you must renew in person instead.
  • The phone renewal fee is the same as in-person renewal and varies depending on how many years you are renewing for.
  • If you do not meet the phone renewal requirements, you can renew online through the Texas DPS website or visit a driver's license office in person.

Who can renew by phone in Texas

To renew your Texas driver's license by phone, your current license must have expired within the last two years. If it has been expired longer than that, the state requires you to renew in person or online instead.

You also cannot have any new medical conditions, vision problems, or other health changes since your last license was issued. If your doctor has told you that your vision or hearing has changed, or if you have been diagnosed with a condition that affects your ability to drive, you must renew in person so the DPS can review your medical information.

Finally, your address must not have changed. If you have moved since your last license was issued, you cannot use phone renewal because your new license will be mailed to the address on file. You would receive it at your old address, which defeats the purpose. In that case, renew online or in person.

What you need before you call

Have your current Texas driver's license in front of you when you call. You will need to provide your driver's license number to the DPS representative. If you cannot find your license number, you can look it up on your license itself—it appears in the upper right corner.

You will also need a payment method. Texas accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks over the phone. Have the card or account information ready before you dial. The DPS will not process your renewal without payment, so you cannot call back later to pay.

Know how many years you want to renew for. Texas offers one-year, two-year, four-year, five-year, and six-year renewals. The longer the renewal period, the higher the fee. Ask yourself how long you plan to keep your current address and whether you want to update your photo soon—if you do, a shorter renewal might make sense.

The phone renewal process step by step

Call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. central time. Wait times can be long during lunch hours and late afternoon, so calling early in the morning often means a shorter hold.

When a representative answers, tell them you want to renew your driver's license by phone. They will ask you to confirm your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Answer carefully—mistakes here can delay your renewal or send your license to the wrong address.

The representative will ask whether you have any new medical conditions or address changes. Answer honestly. If you say no when the answer is yes, your renewal may be rejected later, or you may receive a license that does not reflect your current situation.

Next, you will choose your renewal period (one to six years) and provide payment information. The representative will tell you the fee before charging your card. Once payment goes through, your renewal is complete. You will receive a confirmation number—write it down in case you need to check on your license later.

How long it takes and what happens next

After you hang up, the Texas DPS will mail your new license to the address on file. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the time your renewal is processed. You should receive your license within two to three weeks of your phone call, though it can take longer during busy periods.

Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. You can continue to use it for driving and identification. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it in a safe place—do not carry both at the same time.

If more than three weeks pass and you have not received your license, call the DPS again at 1-888-589-6556 with your confirmation number. They can check the status of your renewal and tell you whether it is still in the mail or whether something went wrong.

When phone renewal will not work

If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by phone. You must renew in person at a Texas driver's license office or online through the DPS website. The same rule applies if you have moved, if you have new medical information to report, or if you want to change your photo.

If you are under 18, you also cannot renew by phone. Minors must renew in person with a parent or guardian present. If you are 18 or older, phone renewal is available as long as you meet the other requirements.

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a license with a motorcycle endorsement, phone renewal may not be available for all renewal types. Call the DPS to ask whether your specific license can be renewed by phone, or use the online renewal option instead.

Your other renewal options in Texas

If phone renewal does not work for you, the Texas DPS offers online renewal through its website. Online renewal has the same requirements as phone renewal—your license must have expired within two years, and you cannot have new medical conditions or address changes. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you pay the same fee as you would over the phone.

In-person renewal at a driver's license office works for everyone, regardless of how long your license has been expired or what has changed. You will need to bring documents that prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number. In-person renewal takes longer—you may wait 30 minutes to an hour at a busy office—but it is the only option if your license has been expired for more than two years or if you need to update your address or medical information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license by phone if I have a new address?

No. If you have moved, your new license will be mailed to the address on file, which is your old address. You must renew in person or online so you can update your address before your new license is mailed. Call the DPS or visit the Texas DPS website to find out which option works best for your situation.

What if I call to renew by phone and the representative says I do not meet the requirements?

The representative will tell you why you cannot renew by phone and will direct you to the online renewal option or to a driver's license office. Write down the reason so you know what to fix before you try again. If you disagree with their decision, ask to speak to a supervisor.

Do I have to pay the same fee for phone renewal as I would in person?

Yes. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew by phone, online, or in person. The fee depends on how many years you are renewing for—one year costs less than six years. The representative will tell you the exact fee before you provide payment.

What if my payment is declined when I call to renew?

If your credit card or debit card is declined, the representative will ask you to provide a different payment method. You can use another card or an electronic check. If all your payment methods fail, you will need to call back another day or renew in person or online instead.

Can I renew my license by phone if it is about to expire but has not expired yet?

Yes. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. Phone renewal works the same way whether your license is still valid or has recently expired, as long as it has not been expired for more than two years.