You can renew online, by mail, or in person—but the method depends on how long it has been expired

If your Texas driver's license has expired, you have options for renewal, but they narrow based on how far past the expiration date you are. Texas allows online renewal for licenses expired less than two years, mail renewal for licenses expired less than four years, and in-person renewal at a DPS office for any expired license. The sooner you renew, the more routes remain open to you.

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas. You can be stopped, ticketed, and your vehicle can be impounded. The fine for driving with an expired license starts at $200 and can go higher depending on how long it has been expired. Renewing now prevents that risk and is faster than dealing with a traffic stop.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Texas DPS website works if your license expired less than two years ago and you have no medical conditions or address changes.
  • Mail renewal is available if your license expired less than four years ago, takes about two to three weeks, and costs $16 for a five-year renewal.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license expired four or more years ago, and you will need to pass a vision test and bring proof of residency.
  • You cannot legally drive on an expired license in Texas, even if you have a renewal process pending.
  • If you have a medical condition, name change, or address change, you must renew in person regardless of expiration date.

Online renewal for licenses expired less than two years

The fastest route is the Texas DPS online renewal portal at dps.texas.gov. You can renew there if your license expired within the last two years, you have no medical conditions listed on your current license, and your address has not changed. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a five-year renewal or $32 for an eight-year renewal.

You will need your current Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address. After you complete the online form and pay by credit or debit card, the DPS mails your new license to the address on file. Delivery takes about two to three weeks. You can drive legally during this time if you print and carry your renewal confirmation receipt.

Online renewal is not available if you wear corrective lenses and your prescription has changed, if you have a medical condition code on your license, or if you need to update your address, name, or organ donor status. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Mail renewal for licenses expired less than four years

If your license expired between two and four years ago, or if you do not meet the online requirements, you can renew by mail. read the DL-44 form from the DPS website, fill it out, and mail it with your current license, a check or money order for $16 (five-year) or $32 (eight-year), and proof of residency to the address listed on the form. The DPS processes mail renewals in the order received, which typically takes two to three weeks.

Proof of residency can be a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current address. Your name on the document must match the name on your license, or you must include a document showing your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but does not require a trip to a DPS office. However, if you need to update your address, change your name, or add or remove medical conditions, the DPS may reject your mail process and require you to renew in person instead.

In-person renewal at a DPS office

If your license expired four or more years ago, you must renew in person at a Texas DPS Driver License office. You will also need to renew in person if you have a medical condition on your license, need to change your address or name, or want to add or remove an organ donor designation.

Bring your expired license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement), and proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). You will pass a vision test and have your photo taken. The renewal costs $16 for five years or $32 for eight years. Most DPS offices issue your new license on the spot, though some locations mail it instead.

Wait times at DPS offices vary by location and time of day. Many offices allow you to check wait times online before you go. Early morning visits on weekdays are typically faster than afternoons or weekends. Some offices offer appointment scheduling through the DPS website, which can reduce your wait.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than four years

If your license expired more than four years ago, the DPS treats it as a new process rather than a renewal. You must renew in person, pass a written knowledge test and a driving test in addition to the vision test, and provide the same documents as a standard in-person renewal. This process takes longer and is more involved than a standard renewal.

You cannot legally drive while waiting for this renewal. If you need to drive before your appointment, you can request a temporary driving permit from the DPS office, though availability varies by location. Call your local DPS office to ask whether they issue temporary permits and what the process is.

Driving with an expired license and insurance coverage

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas, and your auto insurance may not cover you if you are in an accident. Most insurance policies require you to have a valid, current license to be covered. If you are stopped and ticketed for driving with an expired license, you face a fine of at least $200, and the fine increases if your license has been expired for more than one year.

If you are in an accident while driving on an expired license, your insurer may deny your claim or cancel your policy. Even if the accident was not your fault, the other driver's insurer may refuse to pay your claim. Renewing your license before you drive protects both your legal standing and your insurance coverage.

Renewing your license if you are out of state

If you are living outside Texas temporarily, you can renew by mail or online if your license has been expired less than two years (online) or four years (mail). You do not need to be in Texas to renew, and the DPS will mail your new license to any address you provide, including an out-of-state address.

If you have moved to another state permanently and no longer live in Texas, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state instead of renewing your Texas license. Once you have a valid license from your new state, you no longer need to maintain a Texas license. However, if you still own property in Texas or plan to return, renewing your Texas license may be simpler than switching later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to the DPS office to renew my expired license?

No. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you are driving to renew it. You must have someone else drive you, use a rideshare service, or take public transportation to the DPS office. Alternatively, renew online or by mail if your license has been expired less than two or four years, respectively.

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

A five-year renewal costs $16, and an eight-year renewal costs $32. These fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If your license has been expired more than four years and requires a new process, the cost may be higher due to the written and driving tests.

What if I lost my expired license and do not have it to mail in?

If you are renewing by mail and cannot locate your expired license, contact your local DPS office to request a duplicate or replacement. You can also renew in person without your old license by bringing your proof of residency and Social Security number. The DPS can look up your record in their system.

Will my insurance cover me while I wait for my renewal to arrive?

Most insurance policies require a valid, current license to provide coverage. If you are in an accident while your license is expired, your insurer may deny your claim. Contact your insurance agent before you drive to confirm whether you are covered during the renewal period, and ask whether they require you to carry a renewal confirmation receipt.

Can I renew my license online if I wear glasses?

You can renew online if you wear glasses and your prescription has not changed. However, if your prescription has changed or you are unsure, you must renew in person so the DPS can conduct a new vision test. Online renewal uses your current vision correction status from your existing license.