When You Can Renew Your Texas Driver's License

Texas lets you renew your driver's license up to one year before it expires

You can walk into a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office and renew your license anytime during the year before your expiration date. If your license expires on March 15, 2025, you can renew it starting March 15, 2024. You do not have to wait until the last minute, and renewing early does not shorten how long your new license lasts — you still get the full validity period from the date you renew.

Texas issues driver's licenses that are valid for either 5 years (if you are under 85) or 2 years (if you are 85 or older). Your new license will be valid for that same period, starting from the day you renew, regardless of when you explore within that one-year window.

Key Takeaways

You can renew your Texas driver's license anytime during the 12 months before it expires, and your new license validity period starts from your renewal date, not your old expiration date.
Texas offers online renewal for most people, which costs less and takes minutes, but you must be under 85 and have a license that is not suspended or revoked.
In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license is suspended, revoked, if you are 85 or older, or if you need to change your name or address on the license itself.
You will need your current Texas driver's license or ID card, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of Social Security number to renew in person.
DPS offices are often busy; you can check wait times online and make an appointment through the DPS website to avoid long lines.

Online renewal is faster and cheaper if you are under 85

If your license is not suspended or revoked and you are under 85 years old, you can renew online through the Texas DPS website. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $16 (compared to $25 for in-person renewal), and you receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to visit an office at all.

To renew online, you will need your current Texas driver's license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will also need to pay with a credit or debit card. The system will verify your information against state records and, if everything matches, issue your new license on the spot.

Online renewal is not available if your address has changed, if you want to change your name on the license, if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), or if your license has been suspended or revoked. In those cases, you must go to a DPS office in person.

In-person renewal at a DPS office: what you need and how long it takes

If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a Texas DPS office. Bring your current Texas driver's license or ID card, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days), and proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

The in-person renewal process usually takes 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how busy the office is. DPS offices do not take appointments for routine renewals at most locations, but you can check the DPS website to see current wait times and find the least busy office near you. Some offices do offer appointment slots; check your local office's page to see if yours does.

In-person renewal costs $25 for a 5-year license (if you are under 85) or $16 for a 2-year license (if you are 85 or older). You can pay with cash, check, or card at most offices.

When you must renew in person instead of online

Several situations require you to show up at a DPS office. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew online — you must go in person and resolve the suspension or revocation first. If you are 85 or older, online renewal is not available; you must renew in person every two years. If you want to change your name or address on the license itself, you must do that in person, even if you could otherwise renew online.

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you cannot renew online under any circumstances. CDL holders must renew in person and may need to pass a medical examination depending on the type of CDL you hold. If your current license is damaged, lost, or stolen, you will need to explore for a replacement in person rather than a renewal.

What happens if you let your license expire

If your license expires and you do not renew it within a certain window, you lose the ability to renew and must explore for a new license instead. In Texas, if your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must submit a new process, which requires taking the written test and the driving test again, and paying the full process fee.

If your license expired less than two years ago, you can still renew it by going to a DPS office in person. You will pay the renewal fee, not the process fee, and you will not have to retake the tests. However, if you have been driving on an expired license, you can be cited for driving without a valid license, which is a traffic violation in Texas.

Renewing by mail or through a third-party service

Texas does not offer mail-in renewal through DPS directly. However, if you are a Texas resident living outside the state or abroad, you can renew through an authorized third-party service. These services charge a fee on top of the state renewal fee — typically $10 to $25 extra — and handle the paperwork and mailing for you. You can find a list of authorized third-party renewal services on the Texas DPS website.

Some people use third-party services even within Texas for convenience, but they cost more than going to a DPS office or renewing online. The third-party service still sends your process to DPS, so the processing time is similar to in-person renewal.

Real ID compliance and your Texas driver's license renewal

When you renew your Texas driver's license, you can choose whether to get a Real ID-compliant license or a standard license. A Real ID license has a gold star in the top right corner and meets federal identification standards for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A standard license does not have the star and cannot be used for those purposes after May 7, 2025.

If you want a Real ID license, you must renew in person at a DPS office and bring additional documents: an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a passport, or a passport card. You will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number and proof of your current address, just as you would for a standard renewal. Real ID licenses cost the same as standard licenses.

If you renew online, you will receive a standard license without the Real ID star. You can upgrade to Real ID at any time by visiting a DPS office in person and providing the required documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas driver's license if it is suspended?

No. You cannot renew a suspended license online or in person until the suspension is lifted. You must contact the Texas DPS or the court that issued the suspension to find out how to clear it. Once the suspension is removed from your record, you can renew normally.

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

Online renewals are mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewals are issued on the spot if you pass the photo and background check, though some offices may mail it to you instead. Check with your local DPS office to confirm their process.

What if my address changed since my last license?

You must renew in person at a DPS office if you want to update your address on the license. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 90 days) along with your current license and Social Security proof. Online renewal will not let you change your address.

Do I have to renew my license before it expires, or can I renew after?

You can renew up to one year before expiration. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it in person at a DPS office as long as it expired less than two years ago. If it expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new license and retake the tests.

Is there a fee difference between renewing online and in person?

Yes. Online renewal costs $16, while in-person renewal costs $25 for a 5-year license (under 85) or $16 for a 2-year license (85 and older). If you use a third-party service, you pay the state fee plus an additional service charge.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.