Texas driver's licenses are valid for six or eight years, depending on your age when you get one

A standard Texas driver's license lasts six years if you are under 85 years old when you receive it. If you are 85 or older, your license is valid for two years instead. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive in Texas or any other state — even if you have only a few days left on the card.

The expiration date is printed on the front of your license, in the lower right corner. It shows the month and year your license expires. You do not have to wait until that date to renew; Texas allows you to renew up to one year before expiration.

Your license type affects how long you can hold it. A commercial driver's license (CDL) follows the same six-year rule for drivers under 85, but CDL holders must also pass a medical examination every two years to keep driving commercial vehicles. A learner's permit is valid for one year and cannot be renewed — once it expires, you must take the written test again if you want another one.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Texas driver's licenses are valid for six years if you are under 85, or two years if you are 85 or older.
  • Your expiration date appears on the front of your license in the lower right corner.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, either online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
  • Commercial driver's licenses last six years but require a medical exam every two years to remain valid for commercial driving.
  • Learner's permits expire after one year and cannot be renewed — you must retake the written test to get a new one.

When your license expires and what the card shows

The expiration date on your Texas license is always the last day of the month listed. If your card says "06/30/2030," your license expires on June 30, 2030. You can drive legally through that entire day, but not on July 1.

Texas issues licenses with staggered expiration dates based on when you explore. There is no single renewal month for all drivers. This means you will not receive a notice in the mail telling you to renew — you are responsible for checking your license and renewing before it expires.

If you have a Real ID compliant license (marked with a gold star in the upper right corner), the validity period is the same six or two years. The Real ID designation does not change how long your license lasts; it only means your license meets federal standards for entering federal buildings and boarding domestic flights.

How to renew before your license expires

Texas offers three ways to renew: online, by mail, or in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. You can start the renewal process up to one year before your license expires.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You can renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not had more than two address changes since your last renewal, and you do not need to update your photo. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. The fee is $25.

By-mail renewal is available if you meet the same requirements as online renewal. You will receive a renewal packet in the mail before your license expires (though you must request it). Mail in the completed form, your current license, and a check or money order. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after DPS receives your packet.

In-person renewal at a DPS office is required if your license is suspended, if you need a new photo, if you are changing your name or address, or if you do not meet the requirements for online or mail renewal. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. Processing time varies by office, but you can often get a temporary paper license the same day.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Texas. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited and fined. An expired license is also a problem if you are in an accident — your insurance may not cover the claim if your license was not valid at the time.

If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can renew it using the same process as a standard renewal. If it has been expired for more than two years, you must explore for a new license as if you were a first-time driver. This means taking the written test and the road test again, and paying the full process fee.

If you realize your license is about to expire while you are traveling out of state, you can still drive legally on your Texas license until it expires. However, once it expires, you cannot drive anywhere — not even back to Texas — without renewing it first.

Learner's permits and their one-year limit

A learner's permit in Texas is valid for one year from the date of issue. Unlike a driver's license, a learner's permit cannot be renewed. When it expires, you must take the written test again to get a new one.

Most people use their learner's permit to practice driving before taking the road test. If you do not take the road test within one year of getting your permit, you will need to retake the written test. Some people intentionally let their permit expire and reapply if they need more time to prepare.

If you hold a learner's permit and turn 18 before taking the road test, your permit remains valid until its one-year expiration date. You do not automatically convert to a full license at 18 — you still must pass the road test.

Commercial driver's licenses and medical certification

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is valid for six years if you are under 85, just like a standard license. However, CDL holders face an additional requirement: a medical examination every two years.

The medical exam is performed by a certified medical examiner and checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and other factors that affect your ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely. You must pass this exam to continue driving commercially, even if your CDL card has not expired yet. If you fail the exam or let it lapse, you cannot drive commercial vehicles, though you may still be able to drive a personal vehicle on your standard license.

The medical certificate is not printed on your CDL card. Instead, you receive a separate document called a Medical Certificate or Medical Examiner's Certificate. You must carry this certificate with you whenever you drive a commercial vehicle.

Renewing your license if you have moved out of state

If you move out of Texas, your Texas license remains valid until it expires. You do not have to renew it when ready just because you changed states. However, you will eventually need to get a license from your new state of residence.

Most states require you to get a new license within 30 to 60 days of establishing residency. Check your new state's requirements before your Texas license expires, because you may not be able to renew a Texas license from out of state.

If you move back to Texas before your license expires, you can continue using your existing license without renewing it. If you move back after it expires, you can renew it using the standard renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow?

No. Your license must be valid on the date you are driving. If it expires tomorrow, you cannot legally drive tomorrow. You must renew before the expiration date. If you are close to expiration and cannot renew in time, do not drive until you have renewed.

What if I renew online but need my license before it arrives?

Online renewal does not give you a temporary license. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before then, renew in person at a DPS office instead — you can get a temporary paper license the same day.

Do I have to renew in person if I am over 85?

Not necessarily. If your license is not suspended and you do not need a new photo, you can renew online or by mail even if you are 85 or older. Your two-year validity period applies the same way. However, if you need a new photo or have other complications, you will need to visit a DPS office in person.

If my license expired two years ago, do I have to take the road test again?

Yes. If your license has been expired for more than two years, Texas treats a renewal as a new process. You must take both the written test and the road test, and pay the full process fee. If it expired less than two years ago, you can renew using the standard process.

Does my Real ID license last longer than a regular license?

No. A Real ID compliant license is valid for the same six years (or two years if you are 85 or older) as a standard license. The Real ID star only means your license meets federal standards for federal buildings and domestic flights — it does not extend the validity period.