What form you need and where to get it
Texas does not use a paper form to renew your driver's license. Instead, you renew online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, in person at a DPS office, or by mail if you meet specific conditions. The online renewal process is the fastest route — it takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person.
If you are renewing by mail, you will need to send in your current license, a completed process, and payment. Texas calls this the mail renewal option, and it is only open to people whose licenses are not suspended, who do not need a new photo, and who have not had certain violations in the past five years.
If you cannot renew online or by mail, you must go to a DPS office in person. You will fill out the process there, provide documents, have your photo taken, and pay the fee. No form arrives in the mail ahead of time — the office provides it when you arrive.
Key Takeaways
- Texas offers online renewal through the DPS website for most drivers, which is faster and cheaper than renewing in person.
- Mail renewal is available only if your license is not suspended, you do not need a new photo, and you have no recent violations or address changes.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office requires your current license, proof of residency, proof of identity, and payment; no form is mailed to you in advance.
- Your Texas driver's license is valid for eight years, and you can renew it up to one year before it expires.
Online renewal through the DPS website
To renew online, go to the Texas DPS website and select the driver's license renewal option. 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 pull up your record.
Online renewal works only if your address has not changed, you do not need a new photo, and your license is not suspended. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, the system will tell you that you must renew in person. The fee for online renewal is lower than in-person renewal — currently $25 for a standard eight-year license, though fees can change.
After you complete the online process and pay, your new license will be mailed to the address on file. It typically arrives within two to three weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Mail renewal if you are may be able to access
Mail renewal is available only to drivers who meet all of these conditions: your license is not suspended or revoked, you do not need a new photo, your address has not changed, and you have not had certain violations in the past five years (such as a DWI conviction or a license suspension for failure to pay child support).
To renew by mail, you must request a renewal process from the Texas DPS. You can do this online through the DPS website or by calling the DPS customer service line. Once you receive the process, you will fill it out, include your current license, and mail everything along with payment to the address provided.
Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically four to six weeks from the time the DPS receives your packet. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you should renew online or in person instead, because driving on an expired license is illegal even if your renewal is in process.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
If you cannot renew online or by mail, you must visit a DPS office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the past 90 days), and payment. The office will provide the process form when you arrive — you do not need to bring one with you.
You can walk in to most DPS offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Many offices now offer online appointment scheduling through the DPS website, which can save you time. Check your local office's hours and whether appointments are available before you go.
In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes to an hour from start to finish. You will have your photo taken, sign the process, and pay the fee. Your new license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Documents and fees you will need
For any renewal method, you will pay a fee. Online renewal costs $25 for a standard eight-year license. In-person renewal costs $27 for a standard eight-year license. Mail renewal costs $25. These fees are current as of 2024 but may change — check the DPS website to confirm the current amount before you renew.
For in-person renewal, you must bring proof of identity and proof of residency. Proof of identity includes a passport, birth certificate, military ID, or state ID from another state. Proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the past 90 days. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of residency in Texas.
If you are renewing by mail, you will mail your current license along with the process and payment. Do not mail your license unless you are certain you are may be able to access for mail renewal, because you will not be able to drive legally until your new license arrives.
When you cannot renew and must explore for a new license
If your license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation — this usually means paying outstanding fines, completing a required course, or waiting out a suspension period. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew normally.
If your license has been lost or stolen, you cannot renew it by mail. You must renew in person and report the loss to the DPS office when you arrive. The office will issue a replacement license with a new number.
If your license expired more than two years ago, Texas treats it as a new process rather than a renewal. You will need to take a written test and a driving test, not just renew. If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can still renew without retesting.
Real ID and what it means for renewal
Texas offers both standard driver's licenses and Real ID-compliant licenses. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. A standard license does not have the star and cannot be used for those purposes after May 7, 2025.
When you renew, you can choose to upgrade to a Real ID license or keep a standard license. If you want a Real ID, you must renew in person — you cannot upgrade online or by mail. You will need to bring additional documents: a birth certificate or passport, proof of a Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2), and proof of residency.
A Real ID license costs the same as a standard license. If you do not need to fly domestically or enter federal buildings, a standard license is sufficient and can be renewed online or by mail if you are may be able to access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas driver's license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip and want to make sure your license arrives in time, or if you want to upgrade to a Real ID license. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will still expire eight years from the date you renew.
What happens if my license expires while I am waiting for my renewal to arrive?
Driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if your renewal is in process. If you renew online or by mail and your license expires before the new one arrives, you should have renewed in person instead. If this happens, contact the DPS to check the status of your renewal. If it is delayed, you may need to renew in person to get a license when ready.
Do I need to pass a test to renew my Texas driver's license?
No, not for a standard renewal. You do not need to take a written test or a driving test unless your license has been expired for more than two years, or unless the DPS has reason to believe you are not may have access to to drive. If you are upgrading to a Real ID license, you also do not need to test — you just need to provide additional documents.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
You can renew your license online or by mail if you have an unpaid traffic ticket, but the DPS may suspend your license if the fine goes unpaid long enough. If your license is already suspended for an unpaid fine, you cannot renew until you pay it or set up a payment plan. Contact the court that issued the ticket to find out what you owe and your options.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Online and mail renewals typically take two to three weeks from the time the DPS processes your request. In-person renewals also take two to three weeks for the new license to arrive by mail. If you need a license when ready, in-person renewal is your only option, but you will still need to wait for the new one to arrive by mail — you cannot take it with you the same day.