What You Need to Do to Get a Replacement License in Texas
To get a new driver's license in Texas, you visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office in person, bring the required documents, pay the fee, and pass a vision test. You cannot renew or replace a license by mail or online — Texas requires you to appear at an office. The whole process takes about 30 minutes on the day you visit, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally while you wait for it to arrive if you ask the DPS office for a temporary paper license on the day you visit. That temporary is valid for 45 days.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS driver license office in person with original or certified documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Texas residency.
- The replacement fee is $16 for a standard license or $32 for a Real ID-compliant license, and you pay at the office on the day you visit.
- You will pass a vision test at the office; bring glasses or contacts if you need them to drive.
- Ask for a temporary paper license before you leave so you can drive legally while your new license is mailed to you.
- Your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days; if it does not arrive within 15 days, contact DPS to report it.
Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office
Bring one document that proves your identity and one that proves your Social Security number. For identity, the DPS accepts a passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a previous Texas driver's license. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a document from the Social Security Administration.
You also need proof of Texas residency. This can be a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance policy, or a government document with your current address. The document must be dated within the last 90 days. If you do not have one of these, you can bring two documents from a longer list that includes vehicle registration, a paycheck stub, or a property tax statement.
If you are replacing a lost or stolen license, bring a police report or the case number from the police department. If your license was damaged, bring the damaged license itself. If you are replacing a license that was suspended or revoked, you must clear the suspension or revocation with DPS before you can get a new one — contact your local DPS office to find out what you owe or what steps you need to take.
Finding a DPS Driver License Office Near You
Texas has over 130 DPS driver license offices across the state. Use the office locator on the DPS website at dps.texas.gov to find the office closest to you, its hours, and its phone number. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. A few offices in major cities stay open until 6 p.m. or later on weekdays.
Call ahead or check the website before you go. Some offices have long wait times during lunch hours and late afternoon. Early morning, mid-morning, or mid-week visits often have shorter waits. A few offices allow you to make an appointment online, which reserves your place in line — check your local office's page to see if this option is available.
The Vision Test and What Happens at the Office
When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give the staff your documents. You will be called to a window where a DPS employee will review your paperwork, take your photograph, and collect your fee. You will then go to a vision station where you read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts to drive, wear them during the test.
If you fail the vision test, you cannot get your license that day. You will need to see an eye doctor, get a corrective lens prescription if you need one, and return to the DPS office with proof of the exam. Bring the eye doctor's report or a copy of your prescription.
After you pass the vision test, ask for a temporary paper license before you leave. This temporary is valid for 45 days and lets you drive legally while your permanent license is mailed to you. Write down the mailing address the DPS gives you so you know where to expect your new license to arrive.
Standard License Versus Real ID License
Texas offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a Real ID-compliant license. A standard license costs $16 and is valid for 8 years. A Real ID license costs $32 and is also valid for 8 years, but it meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings.
If you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal courthouse, military base, or federal office building, choose the Real ID license. If you do not fly or enter federal buildings, the standard license is sufficient. You can upgrade from a standard to a Real ID license later by visiting a DPS office again and paying the difference in cost.
To get a Real ID license, you need the same documents as a standard license, plus one additional document that proves your Social Security number if you have not already provided one. The process is identical except for the fee.
What to Do If Your New License Does Not Arrive
Your new license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within 15 days, contact the DPS by phone or visit the office where you applied. Have your temporary paper license or the receipt from your visit ready when you call.
If your new license arrives damaged or with errors on it, return to the DPS office with the damaged license and your receipt. DPS will issue a corrected license at no additional charge if the error was made by DPS. If the damage was your fault, you may be charged a replacement fee.
If you move before your new license arrives, do not open the envelope if it comes to your old address. Write "Return to Sender — Address Unknown" on it and put it back in the mail. Then visit a DPS office with proof of your new address and request a replacement license with your new address. You will pay the replacement fee again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not bring photocopies of your documents — DPS requires original documents or certified copies. A photocopy of your birth certificate is not acceptable; you need the certified copy from the vital records office in the county where you were born.
Do not assume your old license counts as proof of identity if it has expired more than 2 years ago. Bring a second form of ID if your old license is very old. Do not bring a utility bill or lease dated more than 90 days ago as proof of residency — DPS will reject it.
Do not skip the vision test or assume you will pass it. If you have had vision changes, see an eye doctor before your DPS visit. Do not leave the office without asking for a temporary paper license — you cannot drive legally without it or your new permanent license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a new license the same day I visit the DPS office?
No. You receive a temporary paper license that day, which is valid for 45 days. Your permanent license is mailed to you and arrives in 7 to 10 business days. The temporary lets you drive legally while you wait.
What if I do not have a certified birth certificate?
Contact the vital records office in the county where you were born and request a certified copy. You can order it by mail, phone, or online. It usually arrives within 1 to 2 weeks. In the meantime, you can use a passport, military ID, or previous driver's license as proof of identity instead.
Do I have to pay the fee if my license was stolen?
Yes. The replacement fee applies whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged. Bring a police report or case number if it was stolen, but you still pay the $16 or $32 fee depending on which type of license you choose.
What if I fail the vision test?
You cannot get your license that day. See an eye doctor, get a corrective lens prescription if needed, and return to the DPS office with proof of the exam. You will take the vision test again at your next visit.
Can I mail my documents to DPS instead of visiting in person?
No. Texas requires you to appear in person at a DPS driver license office. You must be photographed and pass a vision test, both of which must happen at the office.