You can change your Texas driver's license address online through the Texas Department of Public Safety website, but only if you meet specific requirements
Texas allows you to update your address online for a standard driver's license or ID card, but the process has limits. You can only use the online method if your license is not expired, suspended, or revoked, and if you are not changing your name or photo at the same time. The online system costs $0 and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your updated license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license is expired, suspended, or if you need to change your name or photo, you must visit a DPS office in person instead. The online option is strictly for address changes on valid licenses.
Key Takeaways
- Texas DPS lets you change your address online at dps.texas.gov for free if your license is current and valid.
- The online process takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- You cannot use the online method if your license is expired, suspended, revoked, or if you need to change your name or photo.
- You will need your current Texas driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth to start the online process.
- If you do not receive your new license within 10 business days, contact DPS to confirm the address they have on file.
Step-by-step process for changing your address online
Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website at dps.texas.gov and look for the "Online Services" section. Click on "Change Address" or "Update Your Information." You will be taken to a find login page where you enter your driver's license number and date of birth.
Once logged in, you will see your current address on file. Enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your license. Double-check the spelling and zip code before submitting. Texas DPS will send a confirmation email to the address you have on file with your account, so make sure that email address is current.
After you submit the change, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. Your new license will be printed and mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to use your old license until the new one arrives.
What information you need before you start
Have your current Texas driver's license number ready. You will also need your Social Security number and your date of birth exactly as it appears on your license. If any of these details are wrong or you cannot remember them, you will need to visit a DPS office in person instead of using the online system.
You should also have your new address written down and ready to enter. Make sure the address is complete with street number, street name, city, state, and zip code. If you live in an apartment or have a unit number, include that as well.
When you cannot use the online method
If your Texas driver's license is expired by more than two years, you cannot change your address online. You must renew your license in person at a DPS office. If your license is suspended or revoked for any reason, the online system will not let you proceed, and you must visit an office to resolve the suspension or revocation first.
If you are changing your name at the same time as your address, you must do this in person. The same applies if you want to update your photo. The online system only handles address changes for valid, current licenses with no other updates needed.
How long it takes and what to expect
The online submission itself takes 5 to 10 minutes. After you submit, Texas DPS processes the request within one business day. Your new license is then printed and placed in the mail. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date DPS mails it.
During this time, your old license is still valid. You can use it for driving, voting, or identification until your new one arrives. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it for your records — Texas does not require you to return it.
If you do not receive your new license after 10 business days, log back into your DPS account or call the DPS Customer Service line to confirm they mailed it to the correct address. Occasionally mail is delayed, but DPS can verify the status of your license.
What happens if you move again before your new license arrives
If you move to a different address after you submit the online change but before your new license arrives, you have two options. You can wait for the license to arrive at your old address and have the new resident forward it to you, or you can submit another online address change with your current address.
If you submit a second change, DPS will cancel the first order and print a new license with your updated address. This restarts the 7 to 10 business day timeline. To avoid this delay, it is better to wait until you are settled at your new address before changing your address with DPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to change my address online?
No. Changing your address online through the Texas DPS website is free. You only pay a fee if you renew your license, replace a lost or damaged license, or change your name or photo in person at a DPS office.
Can I change my address if my license expired last month?
No. If your license is expired, you cannot use the online system. You must visit a DPS office in person to renew your license and change your address at the same time. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
What if the online system says my license is suspended?
You cannot change your address until the suspension is lifted. Contact DPS or the Texas Office of Court Administration to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do to restore it. Once it is restored, you can change your address online.
Will my new license have a new number?
No. When you change only your address, your driver's license number stays the same. Your new license will have the same number, just with your updated address printed on it.
What if I enter my address wrong?
If you notice the error before you submit, go back and correct it. If you already submitted and realize the address is wrong, you can submit another online change with the correct address. DPS will cancel the first order and print a new license. This will delay your license by another 7 to 10 business days.