Renew in Person at a Texas DPS Office

The most straightforward way to renew your Texas driver's license is to visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office in person. You walk in with your documents, complete the transaction, and walk out with a temporary paper license valid until your plastic card arrives by mail.

Texas has DPS offices in every major city and most counties. You can find the office nearest you on the Texas DPS website by entering your city or ZIP code. No appointment is required at most locations, though wait times vary widely — some offices have a 15-minute wait, others can run two hours or more, especially on Fridays and mid-month.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your last license, bring the document that proves it — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The renewal fee is $33 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license, paid by cash, debit card, or credit card.

Renew by Mail Without an Office Visit

You can renew by mail if you meet specific conditions. Your current license must not be expired by more than two years, you must be between 18 and 84 years old, your address on file must be current, and you cannot have any medical or vision restrictions that require testing or an in-person exam.

Request a renewal process by calling the Texas DPS at 1-844-DL-TEXAS (1-844-358-3927) or by visiting the DPS website and downloading the process form. Mail the completed form, your current license, and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address shown on the form. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date DPS receives your process. You will receive a temporary paper license by mail, valid until your plastic card arrives.

Mail renewal is slower than in-person renewal and offers no way to track your process once you send it. If your mail is lost or delayed, you have no recourse until you contact DPS weeks later. For this reason, many people choose the office visit even if they could mail it in.

Renew Online Through the Texas DPS Website

Texas does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You cannot renew through the DPS website, a third-party vendor site, or any other online portal. The only remote option is mail renewal, which requires you to print, sign, and mail a paper form.

Some third-party websites advertise Texas driver's license renewal services and charge a fee on top of the state renewal fee. These sites do not speed up the process and do not reduce your wait time. They straightforward collect your information and forward it to DPS, which processes it at the same pace as a form you mailed yourself. Avoid these services — they add cost and no benefit.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person renewal at a Texas DPS office is the fastest method and takes 15 minutes to two hours depending on the office and time of day.
  • Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks and is only available if your license is not expired by more than two years and you have no medical or vision restrictions.
  • Texas does not offer online renewal through the state website, and third-party renewal websites charge extra fees without speeding up processing.
  • You need your current license, proof of residency dated within 90 days, and the renewal fee ($33 for four years or $66 for eight years) to renew in person.
  • If your name has changed, bring the legal document that proves it — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

What Happens After You Renew

After you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while your plastic card is being produced and mailed. Your plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days in most cases, though it can take up to three weeks if there is a backlog.

If you renew by mail, you will receive the temporary paper license in the mail along with instructions. The timeline is longer because the form must travel to DPS, be processed, and then be mailed back to you. Do not plan to drive before you receive the temporary license in the mail.

Keep your temporary license with you while you drive. It is a valid form of identification and proof of licensure. Once your plastic card arrives, the temporary license is no longer needed.

Renewal Fees and Payment Methods

Texas charges $33 for a four-year renewal or $66 for an eight-year renewal. The fee is the same whether you renew in person or by mail. At DPS offices, you can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card. By mail, you must pay by check or money order — credit and debit cards are not accepted through the mail.

Some DPS offices accept payment by phone if you call ahead, though this is not standard at all locations. Call the office you plan to visit to ask whether they accept phone payment before you arrive.

There are no additional fees for standard renewal. If you need a replacement license because yours was lost or stolen, that is a separate transaction with its own fee ($11 for a replacement), and it is handled differently than a renewal.

When Your License Expires and Renewal important date

Your Texas driver's license expiration date is printed on the front of your card. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. If you wait until after it expires, you cannot renew — you must explore for a new license instead, which requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a vision test.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you are ineligible for mail renewal and must renew in person. If it has been expired for more than five years, you may be required to take a written driving test and vision test even in person, depending on your age and the reason for the lapse.

Renew before your expiration date. The cost is the same, the process is simpler, and you avoid the risk of driving on an expired license, which is illegal in Texas and can result in a traffic citation.

DPS Office Locations and Hours

Texas DPS driver license offices are located in cities and counties across the state. Hours vary by location — most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some locations offering Saturday hours. A few offices have extended evening hours one or two days per week.

Find your nearest office and its hours on the Texas DPS website. You can search by city, county, or ZIP code. If the office nearest you has a long wait time, you can visit an office in a neighboring city or county — your location does not matter as long as you bring valid identification and proof of residency.

Avoid visiting on Fridays and mid-month (around the 10th through the 20th) if possible. These are the busiest times, and wait times can exceed two hours. Early morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday typically has the shortest waits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Texas license if I moved to another state?

No. You must renew in Texas if your license is a Texas license. If you have moved permanently to another state, you should obtain a driver's license from that state instead. Texas will not renew a license for someone who no longer lives in Texas and is not a Texas resident.

What if my current license is suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must contact the Texas DPS to resolve the suspension or revocation first. Call 1-844-DL-TEXAS to find out the reason for the suspension and what steps you need to take to clear it before you can renew.

Do I need an appointment to renew at a DPS office?

No. Walk-ins are accepted at all Texas DPS driver license offices. However, some offices allow you to schedule an appointment online or by phone to reduce your wait time. Check the DPS website for your local office to see whether appointments are available.

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

Your plastic license is mailed to you after you renew. It typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days, but can take up to three weeks during busy periods. You can drive on your temporary paper license during this time.

What if I need to renew before my current license expires but I am out of state?

You must renew in person at a Texas DPS office or by mail. If you are out of state and cannot visit an office, mail renewal is your only option. Request the process form by phone or online, complete it, and mail it with your current license and the renewal fee to the address provided.