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.
What the Texas DPS asks of older drivers: the in-person renewal from 79 and the two-year license at 85, the online license-for-ID trade at 65, the medical evaluation that replaces any age-based test, the fees, and the resources DPS points to. The general renewal rules are on the renewal page.
In this guide: Renewing in person from 79, Trading the license for an ID card at 65, online, No age test, but a medical evaluation when there is a concern, Fees for older drivers, Resources DPS points to, Questions from older drivers
Renewing in person from 79
DPS's senior drivers page requires a driver 79 or older to renew in person at a driver license office. Drivers 79 to 84 are issued an eight-year license and drivers 85 and over a two-year license. The visit is booked on the DPS appointments page; the driver completes the DL-14A application, which a specialist reviews for the medical history to decide whether additional testing is required, and presents proof of U.S. citizenship (if not already on record) or lawful presence and proof of identity, gives a signature and thumbprints, has the photo taken, pays the fee and passes the vision exam. A Texan living outside the state at 79 or older cannot use the mail renewal, which DPS limits to ages 18 to 78.
Trading the license for an ID card at 65, online
A Texan 65 or older who is a U.S. citizen and holds a REAL ID compliant driver license or commercial driver license may voluntarily surrender it and apply for an identification card without visiting an office: create or sign in to a Texas by Texas account at Texas.gov, select Surrender DL for ID, and submit the information that verifies identity, citizenship and age. The status of the request is checked at 1-866-357-3639 (1-866-DL RENEW). The ID card is $6 at 60 and older and lasts six years; the ID card guide covers the rest.
No age test, but a medical evaluation when there is a concern
DPS states on its senior page that it imposes no mandatory driving test based solely on age. When there is a concern about a driver's ability, a skills evaluation or additional medical information from the driver's doctor may be requested under the Texas Medical Evaluation Process: a License and Permit Specialist may ask further questions, require a physician's statement, or require a driving, written and vision test, and may refer the driver to the state's Medical Advisory Board, a panel of doctors appointed by the Department of State Health Services, whose recommendation can lead to a revocation with a right to a hearing requested within 20 days. The medical conditions guide sets out that process, the $100 reinstatement fee and the written procedure for reporting a driver one believes unsafe.
Fees for older drivers
| Transaction | Fee | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Driver license, age 79 to 84, renewal in person | $33 | Eight years |
| Driver license, age 85 and older, new or renewal | $9 | Two years |
| Commercial driver license, age 85 and older | $26 | Two years |
| ID card, age 60 and older, new or renewal | $6 | Six years |
| Replacement license or ID | $11 | Expiration unchanged |
| Disabled veteran at 60 percent or more | Free | Not for a CDL |
From the DPS fee page, read on October 14, 2026; the $1 administrative fee inside each amount is not charged by mail.
Resources DPS points to
DPS calls driver safety a shared responsibility and encourages all drivers to assess their skills regularly, naming the National Safety Council's older driver program, AARP, and the Texas Department of State Health Services. Its online services page lists the senior drivers page among the options to check before visiting an office, and the Texas.gov License Eligibility page shows whether a license is in good standing before any renewal.
Questions from older drivers
Is there a driving test at a certain age in Texas?
No. DPS says there are no mandatory driving tests based solely on age; a skills evaluation or medical information from a doctor is requested only when there is a concern about a driver's ability.
What changes at 79?
The renewal must be done in person at a driver license office, with the vision exam at the office and a specialist reviewing the medical history on the application. Ages 79 to 84 receive an eight-year license; 85 and over a two-year license.
What does the license cost at 85?
$9 for a new license or a renewal, for two years, against $33 for eight years at 18 to 84. An ID card is $6 at 60 and older.
Can I give up my license for an ID without a visit?
Yes at 65 and older, for a U.S. citizen with a REAL ID compliant license or CDL, through the Surrender DL for ID option in a Texas by Texas account; the status of the request is at 1-866-357-3639 (1-866-DL RENEW).
Can I renew online at 78?
Yes, if the last renewal was in person and the other online rules on the renewal page are met; DPS says you must be 78 or younger to renew online, and 79 or older must renew in person.
Who can report an unsafe driver?
Anyone, in writing, to DPS's Enforcement and Compliance Service, anonymously if they wish, with enough detail to identify the driver and the facts; a verbal report is not enough, and the statement may be released under the Public Information Act.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the Texas DPS senior drivers page, its medical evaluation page, its renewal and out-of-state pages and its fee page, read on October 14, 2026.