How to renew your license in the state of Texas

Updated: 10/01/2022
Is your license about to expire? Follow these simple steps to renew your license in the state of Texas

How to Renew Your License In Texas
If you’re currently reading this, then that likely means that your driver’s license has expired and you want to learn how you can renew it. If you rely on driving to commute to work, pick up your kids, or get around, then you’ll need to renew your license before it expires.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to renew your license online, by mail, by phone, or in person at your local DMV. To learn more about how you can renew your driver’s license, read on for more information.

When to Renew Your Driver’s License
Your driver’s license will automatically expire on your birthday. The number of years your license is valid for depends on how old you are. Here is a detailed breakdown of how often you will have to renew your license depending on your age.
  • Under 18 Years Old - Your license will be valid until you reach 18 years of age.
  • 18 to 84 Years Old - Your license will be valid for 6 years.
  • Older Than 85 Years - Your license will be valid for 2 years.
  • Temporary License - Your license will be valid for the duration of your stay.
If your driver’s license is currently valid, you can renew it between 2 years before the expiration date and 2 years after the expiration date. The exact renewal fee depends on your age, which will be further explained in the next section.

Driver’s License Renewal Fees
As it was previously mentioned, the amount you will owe to renew your driver’s license will depend solely on your age. To learn more about how much you will need to pay to renew your license, consult the information below.
  • Under 18 Years Old - $16
  • 18 to 84 Years Old - $25
  • Older Than 85 Years - $9
  • Temporary License - $25
  • Motorcycle License - $33
  • Disabled Military Veteran - Free
Driver’s License Renewal Instructions
You must renew your license between two years before your license expires and two years after. If not, you will not be able to renew your license. If you fall into this category, you will have to complete the following steps:

  • Apply for a Texas driver’s license.
  • Pass the Written Knowledge Test
  • Pass the Road Skills Test
Otherwise, you are eligible to renew your license either online, by phone, by mail, or in person at your local DMV. The Texas Department of Safety (DPS) will generally send you a renewal notice once your license approaches its expiration online, by mail, or by phone.

You MUST renew your license in person if:
  • You’re upgrading from a standard issued license to an ID driver’s license.
  • Your last renewal wasn’t in person.
  • You have NOT verified your U.S. citizenship with the Texas DPS.
  • You are over the age of 79.
  • You are a minor or possess a provisional driver’s license.
If you aren’t required to renew your license in person, here is how you can renew it using the other methods explained above.
  • Renewing Online - To use this method, you must have a valid Class C or CM driver’s license and have completed your last renewal in person. Simply log in to the Texas DPS website and pay the required amount to renew your license.
  • Renewing By Phone - To use this method, you must be eligible to renew your license online. Dial (866) 357-3639 and provide your date of birth, driver’s license number, audit number, the last 4 digits of your social security number, and your payment method (if applicable) to renew your license.
  • Renewing By Mail - To use this method, you must be eligible to renew your license online. If you have received a renewal notification via mail, it should already come with a list of instructions on how to renew your license by mail.
Accepted Forms of Payment
The Texas DPS accepts payment by:
  • Credit/debit card
  • Check
  • Cash
  • Money Order
If you choose to renew your license on the phone, you will only be allowed to use a credit or debit card. For a mail transaction, you can issue a check or money order made payable to “Texas DPS”.

Renew Your Driver’s License Today If your license is going to expire soon, you should go through the steps of renewing it as soon as possible in order to drive legally and avoid any legal infractions. Waiting too long to renew your license can result in multiple fines if you are caught driving without a valid license.
In fact, if you wait too long, you could risk having to apply for another driver’s license. As you can see, renewing your driver’s license isn’t difficult and you have multiple options for getting it done. Therefore, if your license is near its expiration, follow the instructions above to renew your license today.

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