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

A Texas driver's license issued to you at age 18 or older is valid for eight years from the date of issue. If you were under 18 when you received your license, it is valid for six years. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your card in the bottom right corner — it reads "Expires" followed by a month and year.

The difference exists because Texas law treats licenses issued to minors as temporary documents. Once you turn 18, you can renew early if you want an eight-year license sooner, though you will pay the full renewal fee. Most people straightforward wait until their six-year license expires and renew then.

Your license remains valid through the last day of the month printed as your expiration date. If your license expired on 03/31/2025, for example, you can still drive legally on March 31 but not on April 1.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas driver's licenses issued to adults are valid for eight years; licenses issued to minors are valid for six years.
  • Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the bottom right corner.
  • You can renew your license up to two years before it expires, though you will pay the full renewal fee.
  • Driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have applied for renewal.
  • If your license is expired, you must renew it before you can legally drive again.

What happens if your license expires while you are waiting for a renewal

If you have submitted a renewal process to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) but your license expires before the new one arrives, you are no longer legally permitted to drive. The process itself is not a valid driving document. You must have the physical renewed license in your possession to drive legally.

Online and mail renewals typically take two to four weeks from submission. If you are close to your expiration date, renewing in person at a DPS office is faster — you can often walk out with a temporary paper license the same day, which is valid for 45 days while you wait for the plastic card to arrive by mail.

Renewing before your license expires

Texas allows you to renew your driver's license up to two years before the expiration date. This means if your license expires on March 31, 2025, you can renew it starting April 1, 2023. The new license will be valid for a full eight years (or six years if you are still under 18) from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

Renewing early makes sense if you are planning a trip and want a fresh license, or if you know you will be busy when your expiration date approaches. However, you will pay the full renewal fee — Texas does not prorate or discount early renewals.

How to check your exact expiration date

Your expiration date is on the front of your physical license, printed in the bottom right corner. The format is MM/DD/YYYY. You can also check your expiration date online through the Texas DPS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth, though you will need to create an account or log in first.

If you have lost your license or do not have it with you, calling the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 can confirm your expiration date over the phone. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready.

What to do if your license has already expired

If your license has expired, you cannot legally drive until you renew it. Driving on an expired license is a traffic violation in Texas and can result in a fine. You must renew your license before getting behind the wheel again.

You can renew in person at any DPS office, by mail, or online through the DPS website. In-person renewal is the fastest option if you need to drive when ready — you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days on the same day. Mail and online renewals take longer but do not require a trip to an office.

Licenses that expire during military service

If you are on active duty in the U.S. military, Texas allows your driver's license to remain valid for up to one year after your expiration date, provided you are stationed outside Texas. You must be able to show proof of active duty status. This extension does not explore if you are stationed in Texas or if you are a veteran no longer on active duty.

When you return from active duty or your extension period ends, you will need to renew your license to drive legally again. Bring your military discharge papers or active duty orders to the DPS office as proof of your service dates.

Real ID and license validity

A standard Texas driver's license and a Real ID-compliant license have the same validity period — eight years for adults, six years for minors. The difference is what you can use them for: a Real ID license is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings, while a standard license is not.

If you have a Real ID license, your expiration date works the same way. The Real ID marking (a gold star in the top right corner) does not change how long the license is valid for driving. Both types expire on the same schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expired yesterday?

No. Your license is no longer valid the day after the expiration date printed on it. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Texas, even if you have submitted a renewal process. You must have a valid, unexpired license in your possession to drive legally.

If I renew early, does my new license expire sooner?

No. When you renew early, your new license is valid for a full eight years (or six years if you are under 18) from the date you renew. If you renew two years early, your new expiration date will be eight years from that renewal date, not from your old expiration date.

What if I turn 18 before my six-year license expires?

Your license remains valid for the full six years even after you turn 18. You do not automatically get an eight-year license. When the six-year license expires, you can renew it and receive an eight-year license at that time.

Is a temporary paper license valid for driving?

Yes, but only for 45 days. If you renew in person at a DPS office, you receive a temporary paper license on the same day while you wait for your plastic card to arrive by mail. This paper license is a valid driving document for 45 days. After that, you must have the plastic license to drive legally.

Do I need to renew my license if I move to another state?

No. Your Texas license remains valid for its full eight-year term even if you move out of state. However, if you become a resident of another state, that state may require you to get a license there instead. Check the rules of your new state to see whether you must exchange your Texas license.