Renewing your Texas license online through txt.texas.gov

Texas lets you renew your driver license online at txt.texas.gov — the official Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) website — if you meet a few basic requirements. You do not need to visit a driver license office, take a new photo, or retake any tests. The whole process takes about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal works only if your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical conditions that changed since you last renewed, and your license is not more than two years expired. If any of those do not explore to you, you will need to renew in person at a TxDPS office instead.

Key Takeaways

  • You renew online at txt.texas.gov by entering your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • Online renewal costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, paid by debit or credit card at the time you submit.
  • Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can drive on your old license until it arrives.
  • You cannot renew online if your license is suspended, revoked, more than two years expired, or if you have new medical conditions to report.
  • If online renewal is not available to you, you must renew in person at a TxDPS driver license office.

What you need before you start

Gather these three pieces of information before you go to txt.texas.gov: your current Texas driver license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. TxDPS uses these to verify your identity and pull up your record.

You will also need a valid debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee. Texas does not accept cash, check, or money order for online renewals — only Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover.

Step-by-step: renewing online at txt.texas.gov

Go to txt.texas.gov and look for the "Renew Your Driver License" option on the homepage. Click it to start the renewal process.

Enter your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. TxDPS will search for your record and tell you right away whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you see a message that you cannot renew online, the system will explain why — usually because your license is suspended, expired too long ago, or you have a medical condition to update.

If you are may be able to access, review your current information on the screen. Check that your name, address, and other details are correct. If your address has changed, you can update it during this step. If anything else needs to change — your name, for example — you must renew in person instead.

Choose your license term: four years or eight years. The four-year license costs $16; the eight-year license costs $32. Select your choice and move to payment.

Enter your debit or credit card information and submit your payment. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save or print this number — you may need it if you have questions about your renewal.

What happens after you submit

TxDPS processes online renewals in the order they are received. Your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

If your address changed during renewal, make sure TxDPS has the correct mailing address. If your new license does not arrive within two weeks, contact TxDPS at 1-888-589-6789 to check the status. Have your confirmation number ready.

When you cannot renew online

Online renewal is not available if your license is suspended or revoked, if it has been expired for more than two years, or if you have a new medical condition to report to TxDPS. You also cannot renew online if you need to change your name, correct your date of birth, or update your sex designation.

If any of these explore, you must renew in person at a TxDPS driver license office. You can find the office nearest you and check wait times at txt.texas.gov. Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form).

Renewal fees and what they cover

A four-year Texas driver license costs $16 to renew online. An eight-year license costs $32. These are the only fees — TxDPS does not charge extra for online processing or shipping.

Your renewal fee covers the new license card itself and the cost of mailing it to you. It does not include any fees for address changes, name changes, or other updates, because those require in-person renewal.

If your renewal is denied or delayed

Sometimes TxDPS flags a renewal for manual review — for example, if your record shows a recent traffic conviction or if the system cannot verify your identity. When this happens, you will see a message at txt.texas.gov telling you that your renewal cannot be completed online. The message usually explains the reason.

If your renewal is denied, contact TxDPS at 1-888-589-6789 or visit a driver license office in person. A staff member can review your record and tell you what needs to happen before you can renew. Do not wait until your license expires to resolve the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license online if it is already expired?

Yes, as long as it expired less than two years ago. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a TxDPS office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?

TxDPS mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days of processing your renewal. You can drive on your old license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive it within two weeks, call 1-888-589-6789 with your confirmation number.

What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?

You can update your address during online renewal at txt.texas.gov. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address. If you need to change your address but are not renewing your license, you can update it separately at a TxDPS office or online through the TxDPS website.

Can I renew online if my license is suspended?

No. You cannot renew online if your license is suspended or revoked. You must resolve the suspension first — usually by paying a fine, completing a required course, or meeting another condition set by TxDPS. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew online or in person.

What payment methods does txt.texas.gov accept?

txt.texas.gov accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You must pay by debit or credit card — cash, check, and money order are not accepted for online renewals. If you prefer to pay another way, renew in person at a TxDPS office.