Top Determine the Status of Your License

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues a variety of licenses, and if you intend to keep driving you must renew your driver’s license every six years if you’re younger than 85 and every five years if you’re 85 or older. The DPS allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires and offers no “grace period.”

You must also maintain car insurance on every vehicle you own. Visit our Insurance Center for details about the State's minimum liability coverage requirements as well as to shop for an inexpensive car insurance rate.

Valid License

The DPS offers four methods once it’s time to renew your valid driver’s license:

• Online

• By mail

• By phone

• In person

If you don’t know whether your license is valid, check your driving record.

NOTE: Commercial drivers must follow special steps to renew their CDLs.

Expired License

As long as your license hasn’t been expired for more than two years, you can usually renew using one of the same methods as listed above:

• Online

• By mail

• By phone

• In person

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must start over again as a first-time applicant, and this includes taking every required test.

You can find out if your license is expired, and for how long it’s been expired, when you check your driving record.

Suspended License

If your driver’s license is suspended, you must take the steps to reinstate it. In most cases, these steps involve refraining from driving for a certain period of time and paying fees of more than $100.

If you’re unsure about the status of your license, check your driving record, and if your license is indeed suspended, review our Suspended License section for further details.

You may also want to visit our Insurance Center for tools to shop for lower car insurance rates. Chances are, your suspended license increased your current premium.

Lost License

Please refer to Replacing a Lost License for information about obtaining a duplicate driver’s license.

Top Check Your Renewal Notice

The DPS will send you a driver’s license renewal notice roughly six weeks before your license’s expiration date. This notice is important because it informs you of how the DPS would like you to renew your license: online, by mail, by phone, or in person.

If you don’t receive a renewal notice, it’s still your responsibility to renew your driver’s license on time. You may want to contact the DPS to find out the renewal process you should follow. You may then want to update your address with the DPS.

Top Renew Online

You can renew your driver’s license online if:

• Your license is a Class C or CM and hasn’t been expired for more than two years.

• You completed your last renewal in person.

• You are between the ages of 18 and 79.

• You don’t have any outstanding tickets or warrants.

• You haven’t experienced any changes in your vision, physical, and mental health.

• Your license renewal invites you to do so.

To renew online:

1. Gather up your driver’s license and Social Security card. You must enter both of these sets of numbers.
2. Have a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, or Discover credit card ready to pay the appropriate fee. Your fee will vary depending on age.
3. Head to the DPS's Driver License and ID Card Online Services System.

The DPS should process your renewed license within 15-20 business days. If you have questions about receiving your renewed license, contact the DPS.

The DPS provides more information about renewing your license online if you’re currently out-of-state.

Top Renew By Mail

In State

If you’re currently in state and want to renew by mail, your renewal notice must invite you to do so. And, if it does, you’ll also receive specific instructions on how to do so.

Out of State

If you’re currently out of state and don’t want to renew online, you may renew by mail with an out of state renewal packet for military personnel or non-military drivers. This includes holders of non-commercial Class A and B licenses.

Or, you can just take the following steps:

1. Complete an Out of State/Country Application (Scan Card/Form LI-50).
2. Complete a Texas Driver License & Identification Renewal - Duplicate Application (Form DL-43).
3. Complete an Explanation for Eye Specialist {Form DL-63) with your eye care specialist if you've had a traffic violation within the last four years.
4. Complete the United States Selective Service Registration (Form DL-15) if you're a male between the ages of 18 and 26 and not in the military.
5. Gather proof of your Social Security number.
6. Make a check or money order for the amount of the appropriate fee payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
7. Mail everything to:


• Texas Department of Public Safety
• P.O. Box 15999
• Austin, TX 78761-5999

The DPS should issue your renewed license within 45 days. If you don't receive it, contact the DPS.

Top Renew By Phone

You can renew your driver’s license by phone if you meet each of the same requirements as listed for online renewals―including indication on your renewal notice.

NOTE: The DPS generally prefers drivers who are currently out of state to renew using either the online or by mail methods described above.

To renew by phone:

1. Have your driver’s license and Social Security card available.
2. Be prepared to pay the appropriate fee with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card.
3. Call (866) DL-RENEW, or (866) 357-3639.

If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible to renew by phone, contact the DPS.

Top Renew In Person

Unless your renewal notice indicates otherwise, invitations to renew in person are open to nearly everyone and, aside from renewing by mail, renewing in person is the only other option for holders of non-commercial Class A and B licenses.

Generally you must renew in person if:

• Your last driver’s license renewal was online, by phone, or by mail.

• You don’t meet the requirements listed above to renew online, by phone, or by mail.

To renew in person:

1. Make sure you have the appropriate fee.
2. Be prepared to answer questions about your current medical conditions and pass a vision test.
3. Be prepared for the DPS employee to take your picture and thumb print.
4. Visit your nearest Driver License Location where you'll complete the renewal form and relinquish your current driver’s license.

Again, the DPS usually processes renewed licenses within 15-20 business days. If you don’t receive your renewed license within that time, or you have further questions about renewing your driver’s license, please contact the DPS.

Top Update Your Driving Skills

Extra training benefits even the most experienced drivers. Consider enrolling in a supplemental training course to both update your knowledge and refresh your skills.

Also note that many car insurance providers offer discounts to policyholders who’ve completed training courses. Ask your insurance agent about possible discounts, or shop our Insurance Center for car insurance companies that offer lowered insurance rates.

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