What form you need and where to get it
To change your address on a Texas driver's license, you fill out Form DL-43, the process for Texas Driver License. You do not need a separate address-change form — the DL-43 handles both new licenses and address updates. You can get the form from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, any DPS driver license office, or by mail if you request it.
Texas also lets you change your address online through the DPS website if your license is not suspended, revoked, or expired by more than two years. The online method is faster and costs nothing. If you cannot use the online option, you will mail or bring the completed DL-43 to a DPS office along with proof of your new address.
You do not need to renew your license to change your address — this is a separate transaction. Your license stays valid; only the address on it changes. The fee for an address change is $0 if you do it online, or $11 if you submit the form in person or by mail.
Key Takeaways
- Form DL-43 is the only form you need, and you can submit it online for free through the DPS website if your license is current and valid.
- If you mail or deliver the form in person, bring one document that shows your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days.
- Processing takes about 7 to 10 business days by mail and is when ready if you change your address online.
- You must update your address within 30 days of moving under Texas law, though the penalty for delay is a traffic citation, not license suspension.
How to change your address online
The fastest way is through the DPS online portal. Go to the Texas DPS website, select "Change Address," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. You will enter your new address and confirm it. The system will ask for your email address to send a confirmation. Your address updates when ready, and you do not pay a fee.
You can only use the online method if your license is valid and not suspended, revoked, or expired. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew it before you can change the address online. If your license is suspended or revoked, you must resolve that status first — contact a DPS office to find out what is required.
After you change your address online, you do not receive a new physical card in the mail. Your old card remains valid; the address on file with DPS straightforward updates. If you want a new card with the updated address printed on it, you can request one by mail or in person, though this is not required.
How to change your address by mail or in person
Complete Form DL-43 and gather one document that proves your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, government check, or insurance policy — anything dated within the last 90 days that shows your name and new address. A piece of mail from a government agency also works.
If you are mailing the form, send it to the DPS address listed on the form itself, along with your proof of address and a check or money order for $11. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current driver's license if possible. Mail processing takes about 7 to 10 business days from the date DPS receives it.
If you go in person to a DPS driver license office, bring your completed DL-43, your proof of address, and $11 in cash or card. You will be seen in order, and the transaction is usually done within minutes. Your new card will be mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue using your old card until the new one arrives.
What proof of address DPS will accept
Your proof document must show your name, your new address, and a date within the last 90 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet) is the most common choice. Lease agreements, mortgage statements, property tax bills, and homeowner's insurance policies all work. Bank statements, credit card statements, and government checks also count.
Mail from a government agency — such as a tax refund letter, voter registration card, or court document — is acceptable if it shows your name and address. Paychecks and pay stubs work if they show your address. A cell phone bill does not count unless it is from a major carrier and shows your service address.
You cannot use a post office box as your address on a Texas driver's license. If you are using a mail forwarding service or temporary address, bring a document that shows it is your actual residence, such as a lease or utility bill. If you have no permanent address, contact a DPS office to discuss your options.
The 30-day rule and what happens if you miss it
Texas law requires you to notify DPS of an address change within 30 days of moving. This is a legal requirement, not just a suggestion. However, the consequence is not license suspension — it is a traffic citation for failure to notify, which is a Class C misdemeanor. You can be fined up to $200.
In practice, DPS does not actively hunt for people who miss the important date. The citation usually comes up only if you are stopped for another reason and the officer notices your address is outdated. If you have moved and realize it has been longer than 30 days, update your address as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the more risk you carry.
If you receive a citation for failure to notify, you can often resolve it by showing proof that you have since updated your address. Bring your new DPS record or a confirmation email from the online change to traffic court or the prosecutor's office. Many courts will dismiss the citation if you can show you corrected it.
What happens after you submit your change
If you changed your address online, it takes effect when ready. You will receive a confirmation email. Your old license card remains valid and legal to use; the address on file with DPS is what has changed. If you are pulled over, the officer's system will show your new address.
If you mailed or submitted the form in person, DPS will process it within 7 to 10 business days. During that time, your old address is still on file. A new license card with your updated address will be mailed to your new address. You should receive it within 10 to 14 days after DPS processes the form, though this can vary.
If you do not receive your new card within three weeks of submitting the form, contact the DPS office where you submitted it. Bring your confirmation receipt if you have one. Cards occasionally get lost in the mail, and DPS can reissue one. There is usually no extra fee if the card was lost before it reached you.
Changing your address if your license is suspended or expired
If your license is suspended, you cannot change your address online. You must go to a DPS office in person or mail the form. Bring your completed DL-43, proof of address, and $11. The address change itself does not affect your suspension status — you will still be suspended after the address updates.
If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can change the address online or by mail or in person. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew your license before you can change the address. Renewal requires a new process, a vision test, and a new photo. Contact a DPS office or visit the website to start the renewal process.
If your license is revoked, contact a DPS office directly. Revocation is more serious than suspension, and you may need to meet specific conditions before you can update your address or renew. The DPS office can tell you what steps are required in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my address if I move?
Yes. Texas law requires you to notify DPS within 30 days of moving. The penalty for not doing so is a traffic citation and a fine up to $200. However, suspension does not happen automatically — the citation comes only if you are stopped or if you interact with DPS for another reason.
Can I change my address without renewing my license?
Yes. An address change is separate from renewal. Your license stays valid; only the address on file updates. You do not need a new photo, vision test, or renewal fee — just the $11 address-change fee if you do it by mail or in person. The online method is free.
How long does it take to get my new card after I change my address?
If you change your address online, it is when ready — no new card is mailed. If you submit the form by mail or in person, DPS processes it in 7 to 10 business days, and your new card arrives within 10 to 14 days after that. Your old card is still valid while you wait.
What if I do not have a utility bill or lease to prove my address?
You can use a bank statement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, government check, insurance policy, or mail from a government agency. Any document with your name, new address, and a date within the last 90 days works. If you have none of these, contact a DPS office to discuss other options.
Can I change my address at a DPS office without an appointment?
Yes. DPS driver license offices serve customers on a walk-in basis. You will be seen in order. Bring your completed DL-43, proof of address, and $11. Processing is usually quick — under 10 minutes. Wait times vary by location and time of day; early morning or mid-week is often faster.