Yes, you can hold both a Texas ID card and a driver's license, but you will only use one to identify yourself at any given time

Texas allows you to possess both documents simultaneously. However, the state's Department of Public Safety (DPS) will issue you only one primary identification document that is currently valid. If you hold a valid driver's license, you cannot also hold a valid ID card — one must be expired or surrendered. The same rule applies in reverse: if you hold a valid ID card, your driver's license cannot be active.

This matters because many people think they need to choose one or the other permanently. In reality, you can switch between them by letting one expire and renewing the other, or by surrendering one document and requesting the other. The process is straightforward, but understanding when and why you might want to make that switch is what actually saves you time and money.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas will not issue you a valid driver's license and a valid ID card at the same time — one document must be expired or surrendered.
  • You can switch from a driver's license to an ID card (or vice versa) by surrendering the first document when you renew or by requesting a replacement.
  • An ID card costs less than a driver's license and lasts longer, making it a practical choice if you no longer drive regularly.
  • If you let your driver's license expire without renewing it, you can obtain an ID card without surrendering anything — the expired license straightforward stays inactive.
  • Surrendering a document is faster than waiting for expiration and takes only a few minutes at a DPS office or approved county tax assessor location.

Why Texas limits you to one valid ID document

The restriction exists because both documents serve the same core purpose: proving your identity to government agencies, employers, banks, and law enforcement. Issuing two active documents to the same person would create confusion in state records and make identity verification harder, not easier. DPS tracks which document is your current primary ID, and that tracking system cannot accommodate two valid documents simultaneously.

This is not unique to Texas. Most states follow the same rule. The goal is to maintain a single, clear record of who you are and what your current legal identification status is. When you need to prove your identity, you present whichever document is currently valid.

How to switch from a driver's license to an ID card

If you no longer drive regularly or want to save money on renewal fees, you can switch to an ID card. The process depends on whether your driver's license is still valid or already expired.

If your driver's license is still valid: Visit a DPS office or an approved county tax assessor location and ask to surrender your driver's license in exchange for an ID card. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number or a document showing it. You will pay the ID card fee, which is lower than a driver's license renewal. DPS will cancel your driver's license when ready and issue your ID card on the spot or within a few business days, depending on the location.

If your driver's license has already expired: You do not need to surrender anything. straightforward explore for an ID card as if you were a new applicant. Bring proof of identity (expired driver's license works), proof of residency, and your Social Security number. Your expired license will remain in the system as inactive, and your new ID card becomes your primary document.

How to switch from an ID card back to a driver's license

If you start driving again or need a driver's license for work, you can switch back. The steps are similar to switching the other direction.

If your ID card is still valid: Go to a DPS office or approved tax assessor location and surrender your ID card to obtain a driver's license. Bring your current ID card, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You will pay the driver's license fee. DPS will deactivate your ID card and issue your driver's license.

If your ID card has expired: explore for a driver's license without surrendering anything. Your expired ID card stays in the system as inactive. You will need proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.

Cost and validity period differences

A Texas ID card and a driver's license have different fees and renewal schedules. An ID card typically costs less than a driver's license and is valid for eight years (for applicants age 60 and older, it is valid for ten years). A driver's license costs more and is valid for eight years as well, though renewal fees differ between the two.

Because ID cards cost less and last as long as driver's licenses, many people who do not drive switch to an ID card to reduce their renewal expenses. If you renew every eight years, the savings add up. Check the current fee schedule on the DPS website, as fees can change.

What happens if you try to hold both at once

If you attempt to renew a driver's license while your ID card is still valid, DPS will ask you to choose. You cannot complete the renewal without surrendering the ID card or canceling the driver's license renewal. The same applies if you try to renew an ID card while holding a valid driver's license.

If you somehow end up with two valid documents in your possession (which is rare), the second one is invalid and should not be used for identification. Using an invalid document for identification purposes can create legal problems, so contact DPS when ready to clarify which document is your active ID.

Where to surrender a document or switch IDs

You can surrender a document and obtain a new one at any DPS Driver License office across Texas. You can also use an approved county tax assessor office in many counties — not all counties participate, so check the DPS website to see if yours does. Some approved vendors also handle ID card issuance, though not all services are available at every location.

Bring your current valid document, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number or a document showing it. If you are renewing rather than switching, bring your current document and proof of residency. Processing times vary: some locations issue your new document the same day, while others mail it within a few business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep an expired driver's license and get an ID card without surrendering anything?

Yes. Once your driver's license expires, it is no longer valid, so you can obtain an ID card without surrendering it. Your expired license will remain in the DPS system as inactive. You straightforward explore for an ID card using the standard process.

What if I need both documents for different reasons?

You can only hold one valid document at a time. If you need a driver's license for driving and an ID card for other purposes, you would need to switch back and forth by surrendering one and obtaining the other. Most people choose whichever document they use most often and stick with it.

Do I lose my driving privileges if I surrender my driver's license for an ID card?

Yes. Surrendering your driver's license means you are no longer legally permitted to drive. If you need to drive again later, you must reapply for a driver's license, which involves the full process process, not just a straightforward switch.

How long does it take to switch from one document to the other?

If you surrender a document in person at a DPS office, the new document is often issued the same day or within a few business days. If you let your current document expire first and then explore for the new one, the timeline is the same. Plan for a visit to a DPS office or approved tax assessor location, which typically takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Can I renew my driver's license by mail if I also have an ID card?

No. If you hold a valid ID card, you cannot renew a driver's license by mail or online. You must visit a DPS office or approved location in person and surrender your ID card before the driver's license renewal can be processed.