Texas driver's licenses last between 5 and 8 years, depending on your age and the type of license you hold
A standard Texas driver's license is valid for 6 years from the date of issue if you are between 18 and 84 years old. If you are under 18, your license lasts 4 years. If you are 85 or older, your license is valid for 2 years. These timelines are set by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and do not change based on when you renew — the expiration date is always printed on the front of your card.
Your expiration date appears in the bottom right corner of your license. The format is MM/DD/YYYY. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, which means you do not have to wait until the last moment. Texas does not allow you to drive after your license has expired, even if you are only one day past the date printed on the card.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Texas driver's licenses for adults aged 18–84 are valid for 6 years from the issue date.
- Drivers under 18 receive a 4-year license, and drivers 85 and older receive a 2-year license.
- You can renew your license up to one year before the expiration date shown on your card.
- Expired licenses cannot be used for driving, even if expired by a single day.
- Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and other specialty licenses follow different expiration schedules.
Expiration dates for different age groups
Texas groups drivers by age to determine how long their license lasts. The age at which you receive your license determines the length of validity, not your current age. If you received your license at age 17, it will expire 4 years later, even if you turn 18 before that date.
| Your Age When License Is Issued | License Validity Period |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 4 years |
| 18 to 84 | 6 years |
| 85 and older | 2 years |
The 2-year license for drivers 85 and older is a safety measure. Texas requires these drivers to renew more frequently, which means more regular vision and medical checks. You cannot request a longer license even if you are in good health.
Commercial driver's licenses and other specialty licenses
A commercial driver's license (CDL) follows the same age-based rules as a standard license — 6 years for drivers 18 to 84, 4 years for drivers under 18, and 2 years for drivers 85 and older. However, federal law requires CDL holders to renew in person at a DPS office. You cannot renew a CDL by mail or online, even if you are renewing early.
Motorcycle endorsements and other endorsements added to a standard license expire on the same date as your base license. If your standard license expires in 2029, any endorsement on that license also expires in 2029. You do not renew endorsements separately.
When to renew before your license expires
Texas allows you to renew your driver's license up to one year before the expiration date. This means if your license expires on June 15, 2025, you can renew starting June 15, 2024. Renewing early does not shorten the life of your new license — your new license will be valid for the full 6 years (or 4 or 2 years, depending on your age) from the date you renew.
If you renew on June 15, 2024, your new license will expire on June 15, 2030. The expiration date resets to a new 6-year window each time you renew. This is why renewing early is often a good idea — it gives you a fresh 6-year window and prevents the stress of renewing at the last minute.
What happens if your license expires
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if your license expired yesterday. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can be cited for driving with an expired license. The offense is a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $500.
An expired license also cannot be used as proof of identity for other purposes — banks, employers, and government offices will not accept it. If you need to use your license as ID while it is expired, you will need to renew it first. Renewal typically takes 1 to 2 weeks if you renew in person at a DPS office.
Renewing your license before expiration
You have three ways to renew a standard driver's license in Texas: online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Online and mail renewal are faster and do not require you to visit an office, but they are only available if your license is not expired and you meet certain conditions.
To renew online, you must have a valid Texas driver's license, a Social Security number on file with DPS, and a valid email address. The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs $25. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Mail renewal requires you to send a completed process for Texas Driver License or ID (Form DL-43) to the DPS address listed on the form, along with the renewal fee. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal at a DPS office takes about 30 minutes and costs $25. You will receive your new license when ready if you choose the in-person option and pay for a temporary license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive after my license expires if I have already sent in my renewal?
No. You can only drive with an expired license if you have a temporary license issued by DPS. If you renew online or by mail, you cannot drive legally until your new license arrives. If you renew in person, you can request a temporary license that is valid while you wait for your permanent card.
Does my license expiration date change if I move to a different state?
No. Your Texas license expiration date does not change if you move. However, if you move to another state and want to drive there, you must obtain a license from that state. Texas will not extend or modify your expiration date based on a move.
What if I turn 85 before my current license expires?
Your license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it. When you renew, your new license will be valid for only 2 years because you are now 85 or older. The age-based validity period applies to the license you receive at renewal, not to your current age.
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?
Yes, but you will need to renew in person at a DPS office and may need to retake the written and driving tests. If your license has been expired for more than 2 years, you must treat it as a new license process and complete all testing and documentation requirements.
Do I need to renew my license on my birthday?
No. Your license expires on the specific date printed on the card, which is usually your birthday or the anniversary of when you received it, but you do not have to renew on that exact date. You can renew anytime up to one year before expiration or anytime after expiration.