How to Renew Your Expired Texas Driver's License

You can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on how long it has been expired

If your Texas driver's license has expired, you have three paths forward: renew online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, mail in your renewal, or visit a DPS office in person. Which one you can use depends on how long ago your license expired and whether you need to update your address or photo.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access — you can complete it in minutes from home and receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you cannot renew online, the mail-in process takes about two weeks. In-person renewal at a DPS office is the slowest but guarantees you walk out with a temporary license the same day.

Texas does not charge a penalty fee for renewing a license that has been expired for any length of time, though the renewal fee itself applies. You will need your Social Security number, current address, and payment method ready before you start.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you do not need to change your address or photo.
Mail-in renewal requires you to send your expired license, a completed form, and payment to the DPS; processing takes about two weeks.
In-person renewal at any DPS office is required if your license expired more than two years ago or if you need a new photo or address change.
Texas charges a standard renewal fee regardless of how long your license has been expired; there is no late penalty.
You can drive legally while your renewal is being processed if you have proof of your process — either a confirmation email from online renewal or a receipt from the mail or in-person process.

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website

Online renewal is the simplest route if your license expired fewer than two years ago and your address and appearance have not changed significantly. Go to the Texas DPS website, select "Renew Driver License," and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).

The system will ask you to confirm your current address and review your photo. If either needs to change, you cannot finish online — you will have to switch to mail-in or in-person renewal instead. Once you submit, you receive a confirmation email when ready. Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

The renewal fee for a standard driver's license is $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license. You choose the term length during the online process. Keep your confirmation email as proof of renewal in case you are stopped while driving before your new license arrives.

Mail-in renewal when online is not an option

If your license expired more than two years ago, or if you need to update your address or photo, you must renew by mail or in person. For mail-in renewal, read and print Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License) from the Texas DPS website, or request it by phone at 1-888-589-6789.

Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your expired license and payment to the address listed on the form. Payment can be by check or money order made out to "Texas Department of Public Safety." Do not send cash. Processing takes approximately two weeks from the date the DPS receives your envelope.

You will not receive a confirmation email with mail-in renewal, so keep your mailing receipt or a photo of the envelope as proof you sent it. Your new license arrives by mail once processing is complete. If you need to drive before it arrives, carry your expired license and the mailing receipt together.

In-person renewal at a DPS office

Visit any Texas DPS Driver License office if you need your license renewed the same day, or if you must update your photo or address. Bring your expired license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), your Social Security card or a document showing your number, and payment. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Most DPS offices do not require an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the Texas DPS website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times before you go. You can also schedule an appointment online at most locations to skip the walk-in line.

When you arrive, take a number and wait to be called. The staff member will take a new photo, verify your information, process your payment, and issue you a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving when ready.

What documents and information you need

For any renewal method, have your Social Security number and current address ready. If you are renewing in person, bring your expired license, proof of your current address (a recent utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement), and proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, a W-2, or a 1099 form).

If you are renewing by mail, you only need to send your expired license, the completed form, and payment — proof of address and Social Security are not required by mail. For online renewal, you will enter your Social Security number and confirm your address on screen, but you do not need to upload or mail any documents.

If your name has changed since your license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) to an in-person appointment. Name changes cannot be made online or by mail.

How long the process takes and what to expect

Online renewal is the fastest: you finish in minutes and your license arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Mail-in renewal takes about two weeks from the date the DPS receives your envelope, plus a few days for mail delivery on both ends. In-person renewal gives you a temporary license the same day and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

You can drive legally while your renewal is being processed. If you renewed online, keep your confirmation email. If you renewed by mail, carry your mailing receipt. If you renewed in person, you have a temporary paper license. Any of these counts as proof that you have applied.

If your new license does not arrive within 15 business days of explore online or in person, or within three weeks of mailing your process, contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to check the status. Have your driver's license number and Social Security number ready.

Renewing a license that expired more than two years ago

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew online — you must go in person or by mail. The DPS treats licenses expired longer than two years as requiring a fresh process rather than a straightforward renewal, which is why a new photo is mandatory.

The in-person process is identical to standard renewal: bring your expired license, proof of address, proof of Social Security number, and payment. You will have a new photo taken and receive a temporary license the same day. By mail, send Form DL-44, your expired license, and payment; the process takes about two weeks.

The renewal fee is the same regardless of how long your license has been expired. Texas does not charge a penalty or reinstatement fee for expired licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with an expired Texas license while my renewal is being processed?

Yes. Keep proof that you have applied: a confirmation email from online renewal, a mailing receipt from mail renewal, or the temporary paper license from in-person renewal. If you are stopped, show this proof along with your expired license. You are legally driving during the processing period.

What if I need to change my address when I renew?

You can change your address online during renewal if your license expired fewer than two years ago. If your license expired longer than that, or if you prefer to change your address separately, you can update it at any DPS office or by mail using Form DL-43. Address changes do not require a new photo or a renewal fee.

Do I have to get a new photo when I renew?

Not if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you renew online or by mail — your current photo stays on file. If your license expired more than two years ago, a new photo is required and you must renew in person or by mail. In-person renewal always includes a new photo if you want one, even if it is not required.

What happens if I lose my expired license before I can mail it in?

You can still renew by mail without your expired license — just send the completed form and payment. Include a note explaining that your license was lost. The DPS will process your renewal normally. For in-person renewal, bring a photo ID instead, such as a passport or state ID card.

How much does it cost to renew a Texas driver's license?

A four-year license costs $33 and an eight-year license costs $66. You choose the term length during renewal. The cost is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. There is no additional fee for renewing an expired license, no matter how long it has been expired.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.