How to renew your Texas driver's license
You can renew your Texas driver's license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in three ways: online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Which method you use depends on whether your license has expired, how long it's been expired, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew online if they're may be able to access, because it takes minutes and you can do it from home.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice tells you which renewal method you can use. If you don't receive one, you can still renew — just check the DPS website or call your local office to confirm your may be able to access before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, costs $25 for a five-year license or $50 for an eight-year license, and you receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need a new photo, or if you have certain medical or legal restrictions on your record.
- Mail renewal uses the same form and fees as online renewal but takes longer — typically 15 to 20 business days — and requires you to mail in documents yourself.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license expired more than two years ago or if you need a new photo, and you should bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or legal presence.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it; you must resolve the suspension or revocation first through the DPS.
Online renewal: fastest option if you're may be able to access
Online renewal through the DPS website is the quickest path if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago. You'll need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The process takes about 10 minutes.
The fee is $25 for a five-year license or $50 for an eight-year license, paid by credit or debit card. Once you submit your process, the DPS mails your new license to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
You cannot renew online if your license expired more than two years ago, if you're changing your name or address, if you need a new photo, or if you have medical conditions or legal restrictions that require a DPS review. In those cases, you'll need to renew by mail or in person.
Mail renewal: slower but no office visit required
Mail renewal uses the same may be able to access rules as online renewal — your license must not be expired more than two years, and you cannot be changing your name, address, or photo. You'll complete Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License), include a copy of your current license, and mail everything to the DPS address listed on the form.
The fee is the same as online renewal: $25 for five years or $50 for eight years. You can pay by check or money order. Mail renewal typically takes 15 to 20 business days from the time the DPS receives your envelope, so add time for mail delivery both ways. You can drive on your current license while you wait.
Mail renewal makes sense if you prefer not to go online or if you don't have a credit card. However, if your documents get lost in the mail or the DPS needs more information from you, the process will take longer. Keep a copy of everything you send.
In-person renewal at a DPS office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need a new photo, if you're changing your name or address, or if you have medical or legal restrictions that need review. You'll also renew in person if you want to upgrade your license type — for example, from a standard license to a Real ID-compliant license.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and proof of citizenship or legal presence (a birth certificate, passport, or immigration document). If you've changed your name, bring the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Visit the DPS website to find your nearest office and check wait times. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require appointments. The fee is the same as online or mail renewal. You'll take a new photo at the office, and your new license is usually ready to pick up the same day or within a few days. Some offices mail it to you instead — ask when you arrive.
What happens if your license is suspended or revoked
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it. Suspensions and revocations happen for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, DWI convictions, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. The DPS will not process a renewal process until the suspension or revocation is lifted.
To learn about your license is suspended or revoked, check the DPS website or call your local DPS office. If it is, you'll need to resolve the underlying issue — pay the fine, resolve the child support matter, complete a DWI education program, or wait out the suspension period — before you can renew. Once the issue is resolved, you can renew through any of the three methods above.
Real ID compliance and license upgrades
Texas driver's licenses come in two types: standard licenses and Real ID-compliant licenses. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. If your current license is not Real ID-compliant and you want to upgrade during renewal, you must renew in person.
To upgrade to Real ID, bring the same documents you would for any in-person renewal, plus an original or certified copy of your birth certificate or passport. The fee is the same — $25 for five years or $50 for eight years. If you renew online or by mail, your new license will be the same type as your current one.
Timeline and what to expect after you renew
The timeline depends on which method you choose. Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days for delivery. Mail renewal takes 15 to 20 business days from receipt, plus mail time. In-person renewal is usually same-day or within a few days, depending on the office.
Your new license is valid for five or eight years from the issue date, depending on which term you chose. The expiration date is printed on the front of the license. You can continue to drive on your current license until your new one arrives, even if the current one has expired — as long as you've submitted a renewal process and it's being processed.
If you don't receive your new license within the expected timeframe, contact the DPS office where you applied. Have your process number or confirmation email ready. The DPS can check the status and reissue the license if it was lost in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I owe traffic fines or child support?
No. If you owe traffic fines or child support, your license will be suspended and you cannot renew it. You must pay the fines or resolve the child support matter first. Contact the court or the Texas Attorney General's office to find out what you owe and how to pay it.
What if I've moved and my address on file is wrong?
If you've moved, you can update your address during renewal. Online and mail renewal do not allow address changes, so you must renew in person. Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement — along with your current license and proof of citizenship.
How long does a Real ID license take to arrive?
Real ID licenses are processed the same way as standard licenses. If you renew in person, you'll receive it same-day or within a few days. If the DPS mails it, expect 7 to 10 business days. Real ID does not change the processing time.
Can I renew my license if it's been expired for five years?
No. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or legal presence. You'll take a new photo and receive your new license within a few days.
What if I need my license before the new one arrives?
You can continue to drive on your current license while your renewal is being processed, even if it has expired — as long as you've submitted the renewal process. If you need proof that you've applied, the DPS can issue a temporary paper license at an office visit, though this is not common for standard renewals.