Is it time to renew your Texas drivers license? In most cases, Texas driver’s licenses for passenger cars, motorcycles, as well as state ID cards can be renewed as early as two years before the expiration and for two years after the license expiration date.
Renewals can be done over the Internet, on the phone, by mail or in-person at a designated Texas DMV location. Renewing a Texas state driver’s license or ID card online is fast and convenient, and most state residents qualify for this method of renewal. So let’s take a look at how to renew a Texas drivers license using the different options.
How to Renew a Texas Drivers License Online
Renewing online is the most convenient option, but it’s not available to every driver. To renew your Texas driver’s license online, you must meet these qualifications:
You renewed in-person last time.
Your current license is expired for two years or less.
You are over 18 and do not have a learners permit.
There are no changes to your vision or health since your last renewal.
You are a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number on file at the DMV.
Your license is Class C, M or CM.
You are in possession of your last Texas driver’s license or its number.
Your license is not suspended or revoked, and you have no unpaid traffic fines.
If you meet the qualifications you can renew at the Texas DPS website. You’ll need four things to renew a Texas drivers license online:
Your current drivers license (you’ll need the audit number on the card).
The last four digits of your social security number.
An email address or printer for the temporary license.
Credit card to pay the renewal fee.
The first thing you’ll do is enter your drivers license number, date of birth, drivers license audit number and last four digits of your social security number. This will log you into the website so that you can select the renewal service and pay the fee. You can print your temporary license as soon as the transaction is complete. Your drivers license card will be mailed and should get to you within 2-4 weeks.
How to Renew a Texas Drivers License by Phone
You can also use the same information for online renewals to renew your Texas drivers license over the telephone by calling 1-866-DL RENEW. You’ll need:
Your current drivers license (you’ll need the audit number on the card).
The last four digits of your social security number.
Credit card to pay the renewal fee.
You’ll be prompted to answer a series of questions. The system will then ask you if your information is the same. If nothing has changed you can move forward with supplying your information and paying the fee. Once the transaction is complete you’ll get a confirmation number that you need to keep for your records.
How to Renew a Texas Drivers License by Mail
If you are eligible to renew your license by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail several weeks before the expiration of your current license. Follow the instructions on this form, and be sure to include payment of renewal fees in the correct form.
You may also use the information in the renewal notice to renew your Texas drivers license over the phone or online.
How to Renew a Texas Drivers License In-Person
Some people are not eligible for online, telephone or mail-in drivers license renewals. In this case, you must visit a Texas DMV office or substation to renew your license. During your office visit, you will need to:
• Complete a Texas license renewal application
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence and a Social Security number
• Pass a vision test
• Have your photo taken
• Provide a thumbprint
• Pay the renewal fee
By going to the Texas DMV website before you make an in-person visit to an office, you may be able to take a place in line before you arrive or make an appointment for a specific time. Doing this can save you considerable time at the DMV.
Renewing an Expired Texas Drivers License
If your Texas drivers license has been expired for longer than two years, you cannot renew it, and you must apply for a new license by going in-person to a DMV office, taking the knowledge and driving tests, and meeting the other eligibility requirements.
To check on your eligibility for applying for a drivers license in Texas, you can use the online License Eligibility System at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This site allows you to pay fees for a suspended license, track your license eligibility status and view what you need to do to meet compliance for a drivers license in Texas.
*This article was updated on 4/22/2021