Skip the Trip During Spring Break
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding residents that Spring Break is one of the busiest times at Texas driver license (DL) offices and that going online to renew their license or identification (ID) card or to change their address is a convenient, time-saving option. Residents who are eligible to skip the trip to a DL office altogether by going online often do not take advantage of this option. Are you eligible to save time by going online? Find out now by visiting Texas.gov.
"During the busy weeks around Spring Break, we want to remind Texans to take advantage of online services that will make their visit to the office easier, or in many cases, will allow them to forgo a trip to the DL office altogether," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "If an in-person visit is necessary, we encourage residents to go to a high-capacity driver license center or to 'get in line' remotely before heading to the driver license office."
High-capacity driver license centers are primarily available in major metropolitan areas. In addition, many offices across the state also leverage a queuing system that offers customers the convenient option of reserving a spot in line through the DPS website, by mobile phone or a landline before going to the office. For a list of the high-capacity driver license centers as well as the offices that offer the "Get in Line, Online" feature – visit: Get in Line, Online.
Another underutilized option available to customers is to renew their DL or ID card early. You can renew up to two years in advance of the expiration date on your current card if you go into an office, or up to one year in advance if you are renewing online. If an office visit is required, renewing early allows customers to choose a convenient time that best fits their schedule. The expiration date on the renewed DL or ID card will be six years after the current card's expiration date, whether customers renew early or not.
To be eligible to renew online, the card holder must be a U.S. citizen and the expiration date on the card must be within one year. Additionally, in order to renew online, the card cannot have been expired for more than two years. Requirements for renewing online are available at Texas.gov, the official website of the State of Texas. Customers can also renew by phone at 1-866-DL-RENEW (1-866-357-3639). The eligibility requirements for phone renewal and online renewal are the same. The fee is the same for online, in-person and telephone renewals. Licenses must be renewed in person every 12 years, so a new photo can be taken and eyesight can be tested. For more information about renewing your driver license or ID card, visit Renewal.
Customers may obtain a replacement driver license or identification card online if they are able to provide the 20 character code on the front of their current license or card.
Visit the DPS website to make sure you have the proper paperwork (including documents needed for residency requirements) before making the trip to the office: Apply for License.
To find out more about online services, visit: Online Services.
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