Reviewed and updated October 14, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read that day from the Texas agency that publishes it, the Department of Public Safety for driver licenses and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for titles and registration, and the official page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
The two-year renewal window, the online and telephone renewal and who qualifies, renewal by mail, the office renewal and its documents, the cases with their own rules (79 and older, provisional, limited term, out of state, expired over two years), and what a renewal costs. A first license is on the driver license page; a lost card on the replacement guide.
In this guide: When you can renew, Online or by telephone, By mail, In person at a driver license office, Cases with their own rules, What a renewal costs, Questions about renewing
When you can renew
DPS's renewal page says a Texas driver license, commercial license, motorcycle license or ID card can be renewed up to two years before it expires and up to two years after, with one exception: a CDL renews only up to one year ahead. The four ways are online, by telephone, by mail, and in person at a driver license office. A card expired for more than two years cannot be renewed at all; the holder applies as an original applicant, retakes the knowledge and skills tests, and the driver license page applies.
A standard license lasts eight years at ages 18 to 84 and two years at 85 and older; an ID card lasts six years. Since October 10, 2016 every renewed card has carried the REAL ID star, and DPS says a card without the star is still valid for driving, banking and voting until its printed expiration date but not for boarding a domestic flight or entering a secure federal facility since May 7, 2025.
Online or by telephone
DPS calls online or phone the most convenient way. A driver license qualifies when all of these hold, in DPS's own list: the last renewal was done in person; the license is a Class C, M or CM, or any class of CDL without a hazardous materials endorsement; it expires within two years or has been expired less than two; the holder is under 79 (or will be 18 within 30 days and holds a provisional license); vision, physical and mental health have not significantly affected driving since the last renewal; a valid medical certificate is on file for a CDL; the license is valid with no suspension, revocation, cancellation, denial or disqualification and no outstanding warrants or tickets, which the License Eligibility page confirms; and the holder is a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number on record.
An ID card qualifies when the last renewal was in person, it expires within two years or expired less than two years ago, the holder is 18 or older, and the holder is a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number on record. Non-citizens may replace a card online but may not renew online.
The renewal runs at Texas.gov through a Texas by Texas account, or by phone at 1-866-357-3639 (1-866-DL RENEW). Have the current card and its audit number, a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express), the last four digits of the Social Security number, and a printer or email address for the temporary license and the receipt, which the phone line cannot provide.
By mail
DPS mails an invitation to renew by mail to customers it finds eligible; anyone who receives it follows the instructions on the form, and may still renew online or by phone instead. A Texan living outside the state renews by mail under the rules on DPS's out-of-state page: age 18 to 78, a U.S. citizen with the Social Security number on file, no limited term card, no hazmat CDL, learner, provisional or occupational license, no registration requirement under the sex offender, terrorist offender or trafficking chapters, no change in vision or health that affects driving, no suspension or unpaid citation, and no medical or administrative status needing periodic review. The packet is the DL-14A application (a CDL-1 for a commercial license, a CDL-2 for a non-CDL Class A or B), proof of citizenship or lawful presence, the Social Security number, a DL-63 eye specialist examination for a license, proof of Texas residency, a 2 by 2 inch passport-style photo, the normal signature in black ink on blank paper, and the fee by check or money order payable to Texas DPS, mailed to Texas Department of Public Safety, PO Box 149008, Austin, TX 78714-9008. Active duty military members, spouses and dependents may renew a card expired more than two years and may print their out-of-state address on it; the out-of-state guide has the full set.
In person at a driver license office
Anyone not eligible for the other three ways books an appointment on the DPS appointments page, completes the DL-14A application, and brings proof of U.S. citizenship (if not already on record) or lawful presence and proof of identity. At the office the specialist takes the signature and thumbprints, the photo is taken, the fee is paid, and the applicant passes a vision exam. DPS's REAL ID page adds that documents already on file may be asked for again to avoid delays under the REAL ID rules, and that a renewal notice received in the mail lists what to bring. A provisional license holder under 18 renews in person with a parent or legal guardian present.
DPS announced on its online application and Virtual Issuance page that paper applications will be replaced by an online application completed before the appointment, and that Virtual Issuance will let eligible customers with REAL ID compliant records (U.S. citizens 18 and older with a Social Security number on file for Class C and ID renewals; citizens 18 to 78 for CDL replacements) finish a renewal, replacement or address change with a License Permit Specialist over a mobile device, with facial recognition and a temporary card at the end.
Cases with their own rules
Age 79 and older. DPS's senior drivers page requires an in-person renewal from 79: a specialist reviews the medical history on the application and may ask for more testing, and the vision exam is taken at the office. Ages 79 to 84 receive an eight-year license, 85 and over a two-year license. The senior drivers guide has the rest.
Provisional license. A holder under 18 renews in person with a parent or legal guardian, the application, citizenship or lawful presence proof, identity, biometrics, photo, fee and vision exam; a holder who turns 18 within 30 days may renew online.
Limited term license or ID. A temporary visitor renews in person with documents showing the lawful presence period, a status change or extension if the original period ended, or confirmation that a duration-of-status presence is unchanged, as DPS's temporary visitors page explains. The limited term guide covers it.
Commercial license. Renews online only without a hazmat endorsement and with a medical certificate on file; a CDL expired more than two years means a new commercial learner permit held 14 days and the tests again. The CDL guide applies.
Living out of state. Mail renewal under the rules above; a replacement or address change by mail is also possible within 90 days of expiration with the DL-64 and a $10 fee.
What a renewal costs
| Card | Renewal fee | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Driver license, age 18 to 84 | $33 | Eight years after the previous expiration |
| Driver license, age 85 and older | $9 | Two years |
| Driver license with motorcycle | $44 | As the license |
| Motorcycle license only (Class M) | $44 | By age |
| ID card, age 59 and younger | $16 | Six years |
| ID card, age 60 and older | $6 | Six years |
| Commercial driver license, age 18 to 84 | $97 | Eight years |
| Commercial license with hazmat endorsement | $61 | Five years |
| Disabled veteran at 60 percent or more | Free | Not for a CDL |
From the DPS driver license fees page, read on October 14, 2026; the $1 administrative fee inside each amount is not charged by mail. Every DPS fee is on the fees page. After a renewal the card is mailed in two to three weeks and its status can be checked on the DPS card status page.
Questions about renewing
How early can I renew?
Up to two years before the expiration date, and up to two years after it, except a commercial driver license, which DPS renews only up to one year before it expires. A license or ID expired more than two years cannot be renewed; the holder applies again as a new applicant and takes the tests.
Why can't I renew online when my last renewal was in an office?
DPS lists the usual reasons on its renewal FAQ: age 79 or older (the online cutoff is 78), a license that is suspended, revoked, canceled, denied or disqualified or carries warrants or unpaid citations, a CDL with a hazmat endorsement, a limited term or non-domicile license, a learner or some provisional licenses, or citizenship or lawful presence documents that must be verified in person for REAL ID.
What do I need for the online or phone renewal?
The most recently issued card and its audit number, a printer or an email address for the temporary license and receipt (not available by phone), a MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express card, and the last four digits of the Social Security number. The online renewal also lets you add or update emergency contact information.
Can I change my address at the same time?
Online, yes: DPS lists the address change on a license or ID among the services at Texas.gov, and the change counts as a replacement card for $11. By mail the address change uses the Application for Change of Address (DL-64) and is limited to a non-commercial license held by a U.S. citizen 18 or older whose number is on file.
Does the renewal notice matter?
DPS mails an invitation to renew, and anyone who receives it may still choose online or phone instead of mail. DPS also mails early notices reminding customers that a renewal up to two years ahead can bring a REAL ID compliant card sooner.
I am 65 and want an ID instead of a license. Must I come in?
No. A U.S. citizen 65 or older with a REAL ID compliant license or CDL can surrender it and apply for an ID card through a Texas by Texas account, with the Surrender DL for ID option; the status of the request is checked at 1-866-357-3639 (1-866-DL RENEW).
Written by SearchSystems.net from the Texas DPS renewal, out-of-state, senior driver, temporary visitor, Virtual Issuance, FAQ and fee pages, read on October 14, 2026.