What You Need to Do to Replace Your Texas Driver License
To replace a Texas driver license, you must visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office in person. You cannot renew or replace a license by mail, phone, or online. The DPS will issue you a new license with a new number if your license was lost or stolen; if it was damaged but still readable, you may be able to exchange it for a replacement without a new number.
The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes at the office, though wait times vary by location and time of day. You will pay a replacement fee (currently $16 for a standard license, though this may vary), and you will leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you.
The main difference between a replacement and a renewal is that replacement is for a lost, stolen, or damaged license, while renewal is for one that has expired or is about to expire. If your license is expired and also lost or stolen, you will follow the replacement process, not the renewal process.
Key Takeaways
- You must go to a DPS driver license office in person; there is no online, mail, or phone option for replacement.
- Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it, proof of Texas residency, and a form of ID if you have one.
- The replacement fee is $16 for a standard license, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot.
- Your new plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days in most cases.
- If your license was stolen, you may want to file a police report first, though it is not required to get a replacement.
Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office
Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it. Acceptable documents include a Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a birth certificate or passport instead, though the DPS prefers the Social Security documents.
You also need proof that you live in Texas. The DPS accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail with your current address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill, insurance statement, or bank statement also works.
If you still have your license (it is damaged but not lost), bring it with you. If you do not have it, bring another form of ID if you have one—a passport, military ID, or state ID card. If you have no ID at all, tell the DPS staff when you arrive; they can still process your replacement, but it may take longer and you may need to answer additional questions to verify your identity.
Steps to Complete Your Replacement at the DPS Office
- Find your nearest DPS driver license office using the office locator on the Texas DPS website.
- Bring all required documents: proof of Social Security number, proof of Texas residency, and your damaged license or another form of ID if you have one.
- Arrive during office hours. Many offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some have extended hours or Saturday hours. Check your specific office's schedule online.
- Take a number or check in at the front desk. Wait for your turn.
- Tell the staff member that you need a replacement, not a renewal. Explain whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Answer questions about your identity and address. The staff member will verify your information in the DPS system.
- Sit for a new photo. Wear the same clothing and grooming you would for any ID photo.
- Pay the replacement fee ($16 for a standard license). You can pay by cash, check, or debit card at most offices; credit cards are not always accepted, so bring cash or a debit card.
- Receive your temporary paper license. This is valid for 30 days and can be used as proof of a valid Texas driver license.
- Your plastic license will be mailed to the address you provided. It usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
What Happens If Your License Was Stolen
If your license was stolen, you do not have to file a police report before you get a replacement. However, filing a report is a good idea if you are concerned about identity theft or if someone might use your license number fraudulently. You can file a report online through your local police department's website or by calling their non-emergency line.
When you go to the DPS office, mention that your license was stolen rather than lost or damaged. The DPS will issue you a new license with a new number. This new number will be different from your old one, which helps prevent misuse of your old license number. The DPS does not automatically cancel your old license, but since it was stolen, the new number protects you going forward.
If you are worried about identity theft, you can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) or freeze your credit. These steps are separate from the license replacement and are handled directly with the credit bureaus, not the DPS.
Fees and Payment Methods
The replacement fee for a standard Texas driver license is $16. This fee applies whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged. If you are replacing a license that was damaged in a way the DPS considers their fault (for example, if the office issued you a defective card), you may not have to pay the fee, but this is rare and you would need to speak with a manager at the office.
Payment methods vary by office. Most DPS driver license offices accept cash and debit cards. Some accept checks. Credit cards are not always accepted, so bring cash or a debit card to be safe. If you cannot pay at the time of your visit, you cannot complete the replacement that day; you will need to return with payment.
There is no additional fee for the temporary paper license or for mailing your new plastic card. The $16 covers everything.
How Long It Takes to Receive Your New License
You will receive a temporary paper license when ready when you leave the DPS office. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and can be used anywhere a driver license is required—at traffic stops, when opening a bank account, or when buying age-restricted items.
Your new plastic license is mailed to the address you provided at the office. In most cases, it arrives within 7 to 10 business days. During busy periods or if there are delays at the printing facility, it may take up to 30 days. The DPS does not send tracking information, so you will not know exactly when it will arrive.
If your new license does not arrive within 30 days, contact the DPS by phone or visit your local office in person. Bring your temporary paper license with you. The DPS can look up your order and tell you the status or issue you a new temporary license if yours has expired.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not assume you can renew your license instead of replacing it. If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must follow the replacement process, even if your license is also expired. Trying to renew an expired license online or by mail will not work if the license is not in your possession.
Do not forget to bring proof of your Social Security number. Many people bring only a Social Security card, which is fine, but if you do not have the card itself, bring a W-2, 1099, or tax return instead. Without one of these documents, the office may turn you away or ask you to come back later.
Do not go to a DPS office without checking the hours first. Some offices have limited hours or are closed on certain days. You can waste a trip if you show up at the wrong time. Use the DPS office locator to confirm hours before you go.
Do not expect to keep your old license number. If your license was lost or stolen, you will receive a new number. If it was only damaged, ask the staff member whether you can keep the same number; sometimes you can, but it depends on the condition of the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else pick up my new license for me?
No. Your new license is mailed directly to the address you provide at the DPS office. You cannot have it sent to a different address or have someone else pick it up at the office. If you move before your license arrives, you will need to update your address with the DPS, and they can remail it to your new address.
What if I lost my license out of state?
You still need to go to a Texas DPS office to get a replacement. If you are out of state and cannot travel back to Texas right away, you can wait until you return. In the meantime, you can use a passport or state ID card as proof of identity if you need to drive. Once you return to Texas, visit any DPS driver license office to get your replacement.
Do I need to take a new written test or driving test to get a replacement?
No. A replacement is not a new license; it is a replacement of the same license. You do not take any tests. You only need to sit for a new photo and verify your identity and address.
What if my temporary paper license expires before my plastic card arrives?
Contact the DPS office where you got the replacement and ask for a new temporary license. Bring your old temporary license if you have it. The DPS can issue you another 30-day temporary license while you wait for the plastic card.
Can I get a replacement if my license is suspended or revoked?
No. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot get a replacement until the suspension or revocation is lifted. You will need to resolve the underlying issue (unpaid fines, failed drug test, etc.) with the DPS or the court first. Once it is resolved, you can then get a replacement if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged.