What form you need and where to get it

To renew your Texas driver license by mail or in person, you will use Form DL-43, the official process for Texas Driver License. This is the only form the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) accepts for standard renewals. You can get it three ways: read it from the DPS website (dps.texas.gov), pick one up at any Texas DPS office, or request one by mail from DPS.

If you are renewing online instead, you do not need to print or mail anything — you will complete the renewal directly on the DPS website without Form DL-43. Online renewal is available if your license is not suspended, you have not had a name change since your last renewal, and your license has not been expired for more than two years.

Form DL-43 is free. You do not need to buy it or pay to read it. The form itself is one page, printed front and back, and takes about 10 minutes to fill out by hand.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL-43 is the only form Texas DPS accepts for mail-in or in-person renewals, and you can read it free from dps.texas.gov or pick one up at any DPS office.
  • You will need to include a proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current license or ID with your completed form if you are renewing by mail.
  • Online renewal through the DPS website skips the form entirely and takes about 15 minutes if your license meets the may be able to access rules.
  • Mail-in renewals typically take 4 to 6 weeks from the date DPS receives your packet, while in-person renewals are usually done the same day.
  • If your name has changed, your license is suspended, or your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot use Form DL-43 and must renew in person at a DPS office.

What information to fill in on Form DL-43

The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, current address, phone number, and email address. You will also enter your current Texas driver license number and the date it was issued. At the bottom, you sign and date the form in front of a notary public or at a DPS office — you cannot mail in a form with only your signature; it must be notarized or signed in person.

Do not use a nickname or shortened version of your name. Write your name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or other legal document. If you have changed your name since your last renewal — through marriage, divorce, or court order — you cannot use Form DL-43 by mail. You must go to a DPS office in person and bring the legal document that proves the name change.

Leave blank any field that does not explore to you. For example, if you do not have a middle name, leave that line empty. If you have not moved since your last renewal, write your same address. The form does not ask for your Social Security number, but DPS will match your identity using the information you provide and the documents you send with it.

Documents you must send with your form

When you mail Form DL-43 to DPS, you must include three things: your completed and notarized form, a proof of identity, and a proof of residency. Do not send your original documents — send copies. DPS will not return them.

Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a military ID, a school or work ID with your photo, or a previous Texas driver license or ID card. The document must show your full legal name and date of birth. If you send a school or work ID, it must be current and issued by a government agency or a recognized institution.

Proof of residency must show your current Texas address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank statement, an insurance policy, or a government letter addressed to you at your current address. The document must be dated within the last 90 days. A utility bill in your name is the fastest and most common choice.

If you are renewing in person at a DPS office, you can bring originals or copies of these documents — DPS staff will verify them on the spot. You do not need a notarized signature if you sign the form in front of a DPS employee.

Where to mail your completed form

Mail your completed Form DL-43, copies of your identity and residency documents, and your current license to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 15731, Austin, TX 78761-5731. Use regular mail, not certified or priority mail — DPS processes all mail in the order it arrives, and faster mail does not speed up the review.

DPS typically receives mail within 5 to 7 business days of when you drop it in the mailbox. Once they receive it, processing takes another 4 to 6 weeks. Your new license will be mailed to the address you listed on the form. If you move before your new license arrives, you can update your address on the DPS website or call DPS to have the license forwarded.

Do not send cash or a check with your form. DPS does not accept payment by mail for renewals. If you are renewing in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DPS office.

When you can and cannot use Form DL-43

Form DL-43 works for a standard renewal — your license is not suspended, your name has not changed, and your license has not been expired for more than two years. If any of those conditions do not explore, you must renew in person at a DPS office instead.

You also cannot use Form DL-43 if you need to change your address, phone number, or email on your license. You can update your address online through the DPS website without renewing, or you can change it when you renew in person. If you are renewing by mail with Form DL-43, your new license will show the address you write on the form, so make sure it is current before you mail it.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, or if it was suspended for any reason, you must go to a DPS office. Bring your Form DL-43 (completed but not notarized), your identity and residency documents, and your expired or suspended license. A DPS employee will help you finish the renewal in person.

Online renewal as an alternative to mailing Form DL-43

If you meet the rules for online renewal, you can skip Form DL-43 entirely and renew on the DPS website. You will answer the same questions the form asks — name, address, date of birth, license number — and upload a photo of yourself. The process takes about 15 minutes. You will pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card, and your new license will arrive by mail in 4 to 6 weeks.

Online renewal is faster than mailing because you do not have to wait for DPS to receive your mail or for a notary to sign your form. However, you can only renew online if your license is not suspended, your name has not changed, and your license has not been expired for more than two years. If you do not meet those rules, you must use Form DL-43 or renew in person.

To start an online renewal, go to dps.texas.gov, find the Driver License section, and look for the "Renew Online" link. You will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in.

Renewal fees and what they cover

A standard Texas driver license renewal costs $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license. You choose the length when you renew. The fee is the same whether you renew by mail, online, or in person. If you renew by mail with Form DL-43, you do not pay until DPS processes your form — they will bill you, and your license will not be issued until payment is received. If you renew online or in person, you pay when ready by card or cash.

The renewal fee covers the cost of producing and mailing your new license. It does not include any other services, such as changing your address or correcting information on your license. If you need to change your address, you can do that free on the DPS website at any time, or you can change it when you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license if it expired more than two years ago?

No, you cannot use Form DL-43 or online renewal if your license has been expired for more than two years. You must renew in person at a DPS office. Bring your expired license, proof of identity, proof of residency, and a completed Form DL-43 (you can print it and bring it with you, or DPS will provide one). A DPS employee will process your renewal on the spot.

Do I need to get my Form DL-43 notarized if I renew in person?

No. If you sign the form in front of a DPS employee at a DPS office, it does not need to be notarized. You only need a notary signature if you are mailing the form to DPS. Many banks and libraries offer notary services for free or a small fee.

What happens if I mail Form DL-43 but DPS loses it?

DPS processes thousands of renewals by mail each month, and lost forms are rare. However, if you do not receive your new license within 8 weeks of mailing your form, contact DPS to check the status. You can call the DPS Driver License customer service line or check your renewal status on the DPS website using your license number. If your form was lost, DPS will ask you to resubmit it or renew in person.

Can I change my address on my license without renewing?

Yes. You can update your address free on the DPS website without renewing your license. Go to dps.texas.gov, find the Driver License section, and look for the "Change Address" option. You will need your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Your new address will appear on your license the next time you renew.

What if my name changed since my last renewal?

You cannot use Form DL-43 by mail if your name has changed. You must renew in person at a DPS office and bring the legal document that proves the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DPS will issue a new license with your updated name on the same day.