How to renew your Texas driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Texas driver's license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in three ways: online at Texas.gov/GetMyDL, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Online renewal is fastest and costs $25 for a five-year license or $40 for an eight-year license. You must renew before your license expires — Texas does not allow grace periods for expired licenses, and driving on an expired license is illegal.
Your renewal method depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you have a Real ID, and how soon you need it. If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online and must visit a DPS office in person. If you are over 79 years old, you must renew in person every two years.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through Texas.gov/GetMyDL takes about 7 to 10 business days and costs $25 for five years or $40 for eight years.
- Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks and requires you to send your current license, a completed DL-44 form, and a check to the DPS address provided on the form.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license expired more than two years ago or if you are over 79 years old.
- You do not need a Real ID to renew a standard driver's license, but if you want a Real ID you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship and residency.
- Texas does not allow you to drive on an expired license, even for one day, so plan your renewal before your expiration date.
Online renewal: fastest option if your license is current
Online renewal is available if your current license is still valid and you have not renewed online in the past 12 months. Go to Texas.gov/GetMyDL, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and answer security questions. You will pay $25 for a five-year license or $40 for an eight-year license by debit or credit card. Your new license will arrive in 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal does not let you change your address, add a Real ID, or update your photo. If you need any of these changes, you must renew in person. You also cannot renew online if your license is suspended, revoked, or has restrictions that need updating.
Mail renewal: slower but no office visit required
Mail renewal is available if your license expired less than two years ago. read or request the DL-44 form from the DPS website, fill it out completely, and mail it with your current license and a check for $25 (five-year) or $40 (eight-year) to the address shown on the form. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date DPS receives your envelope.
Mail renewal does not include a new photo, so your old photo stays on your license. You cannot change your address, add a Real ID, or update any other information. If you need a photo update or address change, renew in person instead. Keep a copy of your DL-44 form and the check number in case your mail is lost.
In-person renewal: required for expired licenses and Real ID upgrades
Visit a DPS office if your license expired more than two years ago, you are over 79 years old, you want to add or renew a Real ID, or you need to change your address or photo. Bring your current license (or expired license if it is more than two years old), proof of identity, and proof of Texas residency. Processing takes about 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your plastic card is mailed.
If you want a Real ID, bring your current license, a certified birth certificate or passport, and a document showing your current Texas address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). Real ID renewal costs $25 for five years or $40 for eight years, the same as a standard license. Your Real ID will have a gold star in the upper right corner and is required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025.
What to bring to a DPS office
The documents you need depend on whether you are renewing a standard license or upgrading to Real ID. For any in-person renewal, bring proof of identity such as a current or expired driver's license, passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate. You will also need proof of Texas residency — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days showing your current address.
If you are upgrading to Real ID, you must also bring proof of citizenship: a certified birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. You will need to provide your Social Security number; bring your Social Security card or any document that shows it. The DPS office will verify all documents before processing your renewal.
Costs and how long renewal takes
A standard five-year Texas driver's license costs $25, and an eight-year license costs $40. Both are valid for driving when ready after you receive them. Online renewal arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 45 days, and your plastic card arrives by mail in 1 to 2 weeks.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, the temporary paper license is legal for all driving purposes. Some insurance companies and banks may not accept it as proof of identity, so keep your old license as backup if possible.
What happens if your license expires
Driving on an expired Texas license is illegal and can result in a traffic ticket, fine, and points on your driving record. If you are pulled over, you must show a valid license. An expired license is not valid even if you have already started the renewal process. If your license is about to expire, renew it before the expiration date, not after.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew it by mail or in person (online is not available for expired licenses). There is no grace period in Texas, so renew as soon as you notice your license is expired to avoid driving illegally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license online if it is already expired?
No. Online renewal is only for valid licenses. If your license is expired, you must renew by mail or in person. Mail renewal is available if your license expired less than two years ago; in-person renewal is available no matter how long ago it expired.
Do I need a Real ID to renew my driver's license?
No. A standard driver's license is still valid for driving. Real ID is required only for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025. You can renew a standard license online, by mail, or in person. If you want to upgrade to Real ID, you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew in person?
You receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 45 days. Your plastic card arrives by mail in 1 to 2 weeks. The paper license is legal for all driving purposes during that time.
What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?
You can update your address only by renewing in person or online. Mail renewal does not allow address changes. If you renew online, you can update your address during the process. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days).
Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first clear the suspension or revocation through the DPS. Contact your local DPS office or visit Texas.gov/DPS to find out why your license is suspended and what steps you need to take to restore it.