You can update your Texas driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you change your address without renewing your license early. The fastest route is the online system at the DPS website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you prefer not to use the online tool, you can mail a form to DPS or walk into a driver's license office in person.
Your address must match what DPS has on file for your license to be valid. If you move and do not update it, your license is still legal to drive with, but it creates problems: traffic stops, mail from the state, vehicle registration, and insurance claims all become harder to handle. Some insurance companies will not process claims if your address on file does not match your actual residence.
Key Takeaways
- The online address change tool at the Texas DPS website is free and takes about 10 minutes, with no appointment needed.
- You can also mail Form DL-43 to the DPS address processing center, though it takes two to three weeks to process.
- In-person updates at any Texas driver's license office take a few minutes and require your current license and proof of your new address.
- Your address update does not change your license expiration date or require you to pay a renewal fee.
- Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days.
Update your address online through the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS online services portal and select the address change option. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth to log in. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm it, then show you a summary before you submit.
Once you submit online, the change takes effect when ready in the DPS system. You do not receive a new physical card in the mail — your current license remains valid with the old address printed on it, but DPS records show your new address. If you want a card with the new address printed on it, you would need to renew your license, which costs money and is not required just for an address change.
The online tool is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you run into technical problems or cannot log in, you can use the mail or in-person options instead.
Mail Form DL-43 to update your address by post
read or request Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) from the DPS website or any driver's license office. Fill in your new address on the form, sign it, and mail it to the DPS address shown on the form. Include a copy of proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days.
Processing by mail takes two to three weeks. DPS will update your address in their system, but you will not receive a new card. Your current license remains valid and legal to use during and after the address change.
Keep a copy of what you mail for your records. If you do not hear back within four weeks, contact the DPS to confirm they received it.
Update your address in person at a driver's license office
Walk into any Texas driver's license office with your current license and proof of your new address. Bring a document dated within the last 60 days: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or government mail. The staff will update your address on the spot, and the change takes effect when ready.
You do not need an appointment for an address change at most offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times can save you a trip. The update is free and takes a few minutes.
As with online and mail updates, you will not receive a new card with the new address printed on it unless you pay to renew your license.
What counts as proof of your new address
DPS accepts documents dated within the last 60 days that show your name and new address. Acceptable documents include:
- Utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone)
- Lease or rental agreement
- Mortgage statement or property tax bill
- Government mail (tax return, voter registration, court document)
- Bank or credit card statement
- Insurance policy or statement
The document must show your name and the address you are moving to. If your name on the document does not match your license exactly (for example, a middle initial is missing), bring a second document that shows both versions of your name, or bring an official name change document if you have legally changed your name.
Your address change does not affect your license expiration or cost
Updating your address does not renew your license, extend its expiration date, or cost you money. Your license expiration date stays the same whether you change your address or not. When your license does expire, you will renew it through the normal renewal process, which is separate from an address change.
If you are renewing your license at the same time you need to change your address, you can do both in one transaction — either online, by mail, or in person. The renewal fee applies to the renewal, not to the address change itself.
What happens if you do not update your address
Your license remains legal to drive with even if the address is wrong. However, problems can arise: police may question why your address does not match your residence, mail from DPS or the state may go to your old address, and your vehicle registration may not match your license. Insurance companies sometimes refuse to process claims if your address on file does not match where you actually live.
If you move and do not update your address, update it as soon as you can. There is no penalty for updating late, and doing it sooner prevents confusion during traffic stops or when dealing with state agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get a new license card when I change my address?
No. Your current card remains valid and legal to use. The address printed on it will not change unless you renew your license, which is a separate process that costs money. DPS updates your address in their system, but the physical card stays the same.
How long does an address change take?
Online changes take effect when ready. Mail takes two to three weeks. In-person updates at a driver's license office take effect the same day, usually within a few minutes of completing the transaction.
Can I change my address if my license is suspended or expired?
Yes. You can change your address online, by mail, or in person regardless of your license status. An address change is separate from renewal or reinstatement. However, if your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive until you clear the suspension through the proper channels.
What if I do not have proof of my new address?
You need a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and new address. If you just moved and do not have a utility bill or lease yet, ask your landlord or property manager for a signed letter on their letterhead stating your move-in date and new address. Some offices will accept this in place of a standard document.
Can I change my address for someone else?
No. The person whose license it is must make the change themselves, either online, by mail, or in person. A parent cannot change an adult child's address, and a spouse cannot change their partner's address without their involvement.