You can renew your Texas driver’s license online, by mail, by phone, or in person depending on your situation. Each license renewal will require a $33 fee in most cases.

Getting your driver's license renewed is one of those inevitable tasks that nobody enjoys but everyone has to do. It’s best to act promptly, though, because driving with an expired license can come with fines and penalties.

If your Texas license is up for renewal and you aren’t sure what the next step is, you’ve come to the right place.

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When to renew your driver’s license in Texas

Every driver’s license card will list an expiration date on the front. In Texas, this date is listed right under your license class and right above the issued date.

Texans can renew their license up to two years before and after their expiration date. You should also receive a notice in the mail reminding you of your license expiration.

MORE:

9 common reasons your license can be revoked

How to renew your driver’s license in Texas

In Texas, you can renew your license either online, by phone, by mail, or in person at your local

driver's license office

Renew your license online or by phone

You can renew your Texas license online or by phone as long as you fit the following criteria:

You last renewed your license in person at a Texas driver license office

You aren’t renewing a commercial license with a hazardous materials endorsement

Your license expires in less than two years or has been expired for less than two years

You have a provisional license and you turn 18 within 30 days

You are under 79 years old

Your vision, physical health, and mental health have not changed to affect your driving ability since your last renewal

You’re a U.S. citizen

Your Social Security number is on file

If you need to renew a commercial license, your medical certificate is updated and on file

If you meet these requirements, you’ll need the following to complete the process:

Your most recent license and the audit number from the card

A printer or email address for your temporary license and payment receipt

A credit card number for the $33 renewal fee

The last four digits of your Social Security number

For the online renewal process, you’ll go to the

Texas online driver’s portal

. To start the renewal process by phone, you can call 1-866-357-3639. No temporary license will be issued if you’re renewing by phone.

Renew your license by mail

If you’re eligible for mail renewal, you’ll probably receive an invitation in the mail. If not, you’re still eligible for renewal by mail if you meet the following requirements:

You reside in Texas but are out of state due to active military duty, studying out of state, or working out of state temporarily

Your driver's license expires in less than two years and hasn’t been expired for more than two years

You’re between 18 and 78 years old

You aren’t renewing or replacing a learner license, provisional license, or occupational license or renewing a commercial driver's license

Your vision, physical health, or mental condition hasn’t changed to affect your driving ability

Your license is not currently suspended, revoked, or canceled, and you don’t have any warrants or outstanding traffic citations

Your record doesn’t require periodic reviews, including any medical or physical condition that may affect your ability to safely drive

You are a U.S. citizen

Your Social Security number is on file with the department

You are not issued a limited-term driver's license

You comply with the Texas Residency Requirements

If you meet the criteria for mail renewal, you’ll need to submit the following for processing:

Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Packet

A completed

application

Proof of

Texas Residenc

Proof of

Social Security numbe

An eye specialist

examinatio

The appropriate

renewal fee

as a check or money order made payable to Texas DPS

Send all the correct forms and payment to the following address:

Texas Department of Public Safety

PO Box 149008

Austin, TX 78714-9008

Renew your license in person

If you don’t qualify to renew online, by phone, or by mail, you’ll have to

schedule an appointment

and visit your local driver license office in person. Here’s what you need to bring:

The completed

renewal application

Proof of citizenship or

evidence of lawful presence

Valid form of ID

Social Security number

Once you’re there, you’ll have to provide your signature for the license, be fingerprinted, have your photo taken, pay the application fee, and pass a vision exam.

MORE:

Can I get car insurance with a provisional driver's license?

How long does it take to renew a Texas driver’s license?

You can expect to get your new driver’s license in the mail in two to three weeks, but it may take longer to get to you. If you renewed online, be sure to print out your temporary license, which will be valid for 60 days. You can

track your license

on the DPS website 72 hours after you pay.

MORE:

Driving without a license: What are the penalties?

How to save money on car insurance in Texas

Once you get your driver’s license straightened out, it may be time to revisit and update your

car insurance

, too.

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FAQs

Is there a grace period for Texas driver's license renewal?

You can renew your Texas license up to two years after it officially expires. But that doesn’t mean you can keep driving in the meantime.

There’s no grace period with regard to driving with an expired license. If you’re caught driving after your license expires, you’ll be fined up to $200. For a second offense, you could face a misdemeanor charge and an additional fine between $25 and $200.

Can I renew my Texas driver’s license online?

If you meet the criteria and have a valid credit card, you can renew your Texas driver’s license online.

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