- Expired Texas Drivers License Active Duty Military
- Expired Texas Drivers License Military
- Expired Texas Drivers License Grace Period
- Expired Texas Drivers License Renewal
- Texas Drivers License Expired Grace Period
Renew your Texas driver license or ID card online with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). If you have moved, use this service to change the address on your Texas driver license or ID. To be eligible to renew your Texas driver license online, you must: Have a Class C or CM driver's license. Have completed your last renewal in person. Have a valid TX driver's license (including one that expired less than 2 years ago). Citizen between 18 years old and 79 years old. Applying for a new Texas Driver's License or Passenger Permit The State of Texas requires you renew your driver’s license upon expiration. Click here to simplify and find all the details for your renewal in the step-by-step process. Renewing your Texas Driver's License In Texas, anyone who has never been issued a driver's license must first. Texas driver license. You renewed your driver license in person at a driver license office last time. You have a Class C, M, or CM driver license. You cannot renew a Class A, Class B or commercial driver license online. Your driver license either expires in less than two years, or has been expired for less than two years. Drivers license expiration date is within the next 12 months and cannot have expired over 2 years ago. Your last time that you renewed your license was in person at a Texas DMV office. You must be older than 18 and less than 79 years of age.
In order to always keep your driver's license valid, the state of Texas offers you four different options to renew your Texas driver's license. Online, by mail, by the phone, or in person.If your driver's license has been expired for longer than two years you will only be allowed to renew your Texas driver's license in person.
Renewing Your Driver's License in Texas
Before your Texas driver's license expires, you need to renew it with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to continue driving legally. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to renew online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
- If you need to renew your commercial driver's license, please see our Renewing Your CDL in Texas page.
- If you need to renew your Texas non-driver identification card, please see our Identification Cards in Texas page.
Expired Texas Drivers License Active Duty Military
Texas REAL ID Driver's Licenses
The Texas DPS has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses, which allow you to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings. You can choose to receive EITHER a REAL ID or a non-compliant license upon your renewal—details are outlined below.
When to Renew Your TX Driver's License
Your Texas driver's license expires on your birthday. The number of years it is valid for dependson your age.
![Expired texas drivers license grace period Expired texas drivers license grace period](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124805969/710082546.jpg)
- Under 18 years old: Valid until you turn 18 years old.
- 18 to 84 years old: Valid for 6 years.
- 85 years old and older: Valid for 2 years.
- Temporary driver's license: Valid for the duration of your legal stay or 1 year if your legal stay is “duration of status.'
Looking for a mailing status update?
Expired Texas Drivers License Military
If you've already renewed your license and you want to know where it may be, you'll need to contact the DPS for an update—unfortunately, DMV.ORG cannot provide this information for you.
Jump over to our Status Check page and choose your preferred method of contact to get in touch with the proper officials.
If your Texas driver's license is currently valid, you can renew between:
- 2 years before the expiration date.
AND - 2 years after the expiration date.
Renewal fees vary depending on your age and the type of driver's license you have. Please see Renewal Fees in TX below.
There are different requirements if your driver's license is:
- Expired.
- Suspended.
OR - Lost, stolen, or damaged.
See below for details on how to renew for each of these scenarios.
Expired Driver's License
You cannot renew your TX driver license if it has been expired for more than 2 years.
You'll need to visit your local Texas DPS officein person and:
- Apply for a new TX driver's license.
- Pass a written knowledge test.
- Pass a driving test.
For more information, please see our page on Applying for a New License in Texas.
If your TX driver's license expired less than 2 years ago, it can still be renewed.
Suspended Driver's License
You cannot renew a suspended Texas driver license. You must reinstate it instead. For more information, please see our Suspended License in Texas page.
Is Your License in Good Standing?
Unsure whether your license is still suspended? Pull a copy of your TX driving record to find out, so you can get back on the road.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License
If your TX driver's license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement. Head over to our Replacing a Lost License in Texas page for help.
You can still renew a lost or stolen card as long as you know both your Texas driver's license number and audit number.
You will receive a temporary driver's license valid for 45 days to use until you receive your new card in the mail in 3 weeks. If you haven't received your renewed license, you can check the status of your order by contacting the TX DPS.
Renewal Options & Instructions
Once you've determined when you can renew your Texas driver's license, you have a few options to renew, depending on your eligibility and circumstances. Renewals can be made either:
- Online.
- By phone.
- By mail.
- In person.
Upgrading to a REAL ID License?
If you currently have a non-compliant license and want a REAL ID upon renewal, you MUST renew in person.
The Texas DPS will send you a renewal notice to renew online, by mail, or by phone if you meet these criteria. Note that you MUST renew in person if:
- You're upgrading from a standard license to a REAL ID driver's license.
- Your last renewal was NOT in person.
- You have NOT verified your U.S. citizenship or legal U.S. presence with the TX DPS.
- For more information, please see the complete list of accepted U.S. citizenship and legal presence documents.
- You're 79 years old or older.
- You are a minor or hold a provisional driver's license.
Choose your option below for details.
NOTE: If you are out of state when you need to renew, please see the Military & Out-of-State Renewals section below.
Renew Online
To be eligible to renew your Texas driver license online, you must:
- Have a Class C or CM driver's license.
- Have completed your last renewal in person.
- Have a valid TX driver's license (including one that expired less than 2 years ago).
- Be a U.S. citizen between 18 years old and 79 years old.
- Not have any new medical conditions that affect your driving ability.
- Have your Social Security number (SSN) on file with the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
- Not have BOTH a driver’s license and state ID. If you do, you must turn in one or the other at a Driver License Office before you can renew online.
IMPORTANT: REAL ID Upgrades
You CANNOT upgrade your standard driver's license to a REAL ID via online renewal. You must renew in person.
To renew your TX driver's license online, visit the Driver License Renewal and Change of Address portal and provide your:
- TX driver's license number.
- Date of birth.
- Audit number (found on your card).
- Last 4 digits of your SSN.
- Payment for the applicable fee. (See Renewal Fees in TX below.)
You will need a printer to print your temporary license. You will not receive an e-mail copy. If you cannot print a copy of your temporary license, you must renew by phone or in person.
Renew by Phone
To be eligible to renew your TX driver's license by phone, you must meet the same eligibility requirements for online renewal (see the Online Renewal section for details).
IMPORTANT: REAL ID Upgrades
You CANNOT upgrade your standard driver's license to a REAL ID via online renewal. You must renew in person.
To renew by phone, call (866) 357-3639 and provide your:
- Driver's license number.
- Audit number.
- Date of birth.
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
- Payment for your renewal fee. (See Renewal Fees in TX below.)
Renew by Mail
Mail-in eligibility requirements are the same as online renewals (see the Online Renewal section for details). Your renewal notice from the DPS will have instructions on how to complete your mail-in renewal.
If you still have questions, call your local TX Department of Public Safety office.
IMPORTANT: REAL ID Upgrades
You CANNOT upgrade your standard driver's license to a REAL ID by mail renewal. You must renew in person.
Renew in Person
There are a couple of instances where going in person to renew your license will be necessary:
- You are ineligible to do so by phone, mail, or online.
OR - You want to upgrade to the REAL ID.
You are ineligible to renew your license by phone, mail, or online if you are:
- 79 years old or older.
- A non-U.S. citizen living in Texas temporarily.
- Renewing a provisional driver's license.
- Under 18 years old.
You can renew at any local Texas DPS office. You'll need to:
- Complete an Application For Renewal/Replacement/Change Of A Texas Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-43).
- Bring your:
- Current driver's license.
- Proof of:
- Identity.
- U.S. citizenship or legal presence, if applicable.
- If you are a non-U.S. citizen with a limited term Texas driver's license, see the DPS' complete list of accepted legal presence documents.
- Social Security number.
- Texas residency (2 documents), if you're upgrading to a REAL ID.
- The DPS provides a complete list of acceptable documents.
- Pass the vision test.
- Give a thumbprint.
- Have your photo taken.
- Pay the renewal fee. See Renewal Fees in TX for a breakdown.
*NOTE: If your Social Security number is already a part of your driving record, you don’t have to worry about bringing in a document for this requirement.
Minors & Provisional Driver's License Holders
If you are under 18 years old, you'll also need to bring one of the following:
- Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form (VOE).
- High school diploma.
- GED.
- Recent report card and attendance record.
Military & Out-of-State Renewals
Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany
If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.
Military members who are stationed or deployed outside of Texas automatically receive a license extension of 90 days AFTER your return to the state or your discharge from the military. If you choose to renew your driver's license in your absence, follow the guide for mail-in renewal below.
Note that your dependents do NOT receive this extension, and will need to renew by mail while you're gone.
To renew your TX driver's license by mail, download the Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Packet (Form DL-16P) and submit the documents included:
- A completed:
- Application for Out of State or Out of Country Renewal/Replacement/Change of Texas Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-16).
- Include your Texas address.
- Exemption Certification for Class A or B Non-CDL Supplement to Texas Driver License Application (Form CDL-2), if you are renewing a Class A or Class B driver's license.
- Explanation for Eye Specialist (Form DL-63), if your last renewal wasn't done in person.
- Application for Out of State or Out of Country Renewal/Replacement/Change of Texas Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-16).
- Payment for your renewal fee. (See the Renewal Fees in TXsection below.)
Mail the above documents to:
Department of Public Safety
P.O. Box 149008
Austin, TX 78714
P.O. Box 149008
Austin, TX 78714
You will receive your new Texas driver's license in the mail within 45 days.
Military & Veteran Renewal Exemptions
Depending on your circumstances and military status, you may be eligible for certain renewal exemptions for your Texas driver's license.
See the options below for details.
Military Member Exemptions
If you are an active-duty military member stationed outside of Texas, you have an extra 90 days after being discharged to renew your driver's license.
If your TX driver's license has been expired for more than 2 years, you will also need to provide the TX Department of Public Safety (DPS) with following in the addition to the above:
- Your expired Texas driver license, if available.
- The front and back of your military ID card.
- A completed Application for Texas Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-14A).
![Renew expired tx drivers license Renew expired tx drivers license](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124805969/122130501.png)
Veteran Exemptions
If you are a disabled veteran and not already receiving a fee exemption for your TX driver's license, you can apply for the exemption when you renew.
You can receive a TX driver's license for free if you:
- Were honorably discharged.
- Have a 60% service-related disability.
- Receive compensation from the U.S.
You'll need to provide proof of the above with either:
- A signed letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
OR - An official document from your military branch.
NOTE: You also can apply for a free veteran designation on your Texas driver's license when you renew. You'll need to present an original or copy of one of the following:
- DD-214.
- DD-215.
- NGB-22.
Renewal Fees in TX
It will cost you the following to renew your Texas driver's license*:
- Under 18 years old: $16.
- 18 to 84 years old: $25.
- 85 years old and older: $9.
- License with motorcycle endorsement: $8 (on top of renewal fee).
- Motorcycle license: $33.
- Temporary license (non-U.S. citizens): $25.
- Disabled military: Free.
*NOTE: Your renewal fee for upgrading to a REAL ID will be the same.
Accepted Forms of Payment
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices accept payment by:
- Credit card.
- Cash.
- Check.
- Money order.
For online and transactions over the phone, only credit and debit cards are accepted.
For transaction by mail, you can pay by check or money order made payable to “Texas DPS.'
Forms
This form is provided by your state's agency/department.
Please select one of the below to continue:
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You can renew your license after it expires. The amount of time in which you can do so varies by state, but the process is similar. Your state's motor vehicle department may give you a temporary license while you wait for the real one. It may take up to 10 business days to receive it in the mail.
Valid Period
The period of validity for a driver's license varies by state and ranges from four years in New Jersey to eight years in Virginia. Typically, you may renew yours from a few months to a year in advance of the expiration date. You may also renew after it expires, but you can't legally drive until the license is valid again. The process depends on the amount of time elapsed between the expiration and renewal dates. Many states offer a grace period of one to three years in which you can renew without repercussion. If you have missed the grace period, you would have to apply for a new license and retake the vision, written and driving skills test.
The Renewal Process
Expired Texas Drivers License Grace Period
Most states allow drivers to renew by mail and in person, but some also offer phone and online options. However, when your license expires you must visit a department office. In most cases this is because the department requires a vision test and a new picture. Complete an application for a driver's license and select the option to renew. Provide two forms of identification, such as a birth certificate and a Social Security card, and proof of your legal presence in the U.S, if required. These include your U.S. passport, permanent residence card and naturalization documents. Take the vision test and a new picture and pay the processing fee.
Renewing While Out of State
You can renew your expired license by mail if you are out of the state or the country when it expires. In most cases, renewing this way involves writing to the regulating department with an explanation for your inability to do it in person. Include a completed renewal application, copies of two forms of identification, a check or money order for the processing fee, your current address and your address in the state and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the renewed license. Contact your state's regulating department or visit the website for specific instructions on the process.
Extending Your Renewal Date
If you are working outside the country for the U.S. government, you might be eligible for an extension when your license expires. Eligible parties include members of the military on active duty, civilian employees or contractors, members of the diplomatic office, and the spouses and dependents of each. The department will extend your driver's license past the due date until several weeks or months after your return, and it will issue documents or a card showing the extension, which you must carry with your license. The application requirements vary by state. Contact your state's regulating department to find out how you may apply.