How to Renew Your Texas Driver License, Commercial Driver License, Motorcycle License or Identification Card

September 29, 2020

Most driver licenses and identification cards can be renewed up to two years before and after the expiration date. You have several convenient options to renew your Texas driver license or identification card during this time, including:

  • Online
  • By Telephone
  • By Mail, or
  • In-person at your local driver license office

The following categories have additional renewal requirements. See below for more information:

Online or Telephone Renewal

The most convenient way to renew your Texas driver license, motorcycle license, or identification card is online or by telephone. You must meet the following requirements:

Texas driver license

  1. You last renewed your driver license in person at a Texas driver license office.
  2. You have a Class C, M, or CM driver license or a Class A, AM, B, BM, C, or CM commercial driver license without a hazardous material endorsement. You cannot renew a commercial driver license with a hazardous materials endorsement online.
  3. Your driver license either expires in less than two years, or has been expired for less than two years.
  4. You are at least 30 days from turning 18 years of age and your driver license is a provisional license.
  5. You are younger than 79 years of age.
  6. Your vision and your physical and mental conditions have not changed in a way that affects your ability to drive safely since your last renewal.
  7. You hold a commercial driver license and your medical certificate on file is valid and not expired.
  8. Your license is valid (not suspended or revoked), and you do not have any warrants or unpaid tickets. To verify your eligibility, visit our License Eligibility page.
  9. You are a U.S. citizen.
  10. Your Social Security Number (SSN) is already on file.

Texas Identification Card

  1. You last renewed your ID card in person at a Texas driver license office.
  2. Your ID card either expires in less than two years, or has been expired for less than two years.
  3. You are 18 years of age or older.
  4. You are a U.S. citizen.
  5. Your Social Security Number (SSN) is already on file.

If you meet the requirements for the card you are trying to renew, you must have the following to complete the renewal process:

  1. Your most recently issued Texas driver license or identification card (the one you are renewing) and the audit number from the card. 
  2. A printer or email address to print or email your temporary driver license and payment receipt, if you renew online. No temporary driver license or receipt will be issued when renewing by phone.
  3. A valid credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express).
  4. The last four digits of your Social Security Number.

Begin the online renewal process, or call 1-866-DL RENEW (1-866-357-3639) to renew by telephone. If you renew online, you will be provided with an opportunity to provide and/or update your emergency contact information.

Mail-in Renewal

If you received an invitation to renew by mail, you can also choose to renew online or by phone. See the section "Online or Telephone Renewals" above. To renew by mail, please follow all of the instructions on the form.

In-Person at your local driver license office

You may use our interactive REAL ID Document Check Application to assist in preparing you for your Driver License Office Visit. Just follow the steps, and at the end, you will have a customized checklist of the documents to bring for your visit.

If you are not eligible to renew online, by phone, or by mail, you will need to visit your local driver license office for assistance. You may visit our License Eligibility page to verify your driver license status. Once you have collected the required documents, you will need to do the following:

  1. Complete the renewal application before arriving at your local office (This form is also available at all driver license offices).
  2. Make an appointment at a driver license office.
  3. Provide the following documentation to the license and permit specialist:
    1. Application for the renewal of a driver license or identification card
    2. U.S. Citizenship (regardless if you have previously presented this information) or, if you are not a U.S. Citizen, evidence of lawful presence
    3. Identity (Only one primary, secondary, or supporting document is required), and
    4. Social Security Number*
  4. Provide signature for DL or ID.
  5. Provide thumbprints.
  6. Have your picture taken.
  7. Pay the application fee.
  8. Pass the vision exam.

*You will also be asked to confirm personal information, such as date-of-birth or Social Security Number. If the Social Security Number is not already part of the driver record, you must provide documents to verify your Social Security Number. (Documents verifying a Social Security Number are required for both a driver license and an ID.)

To enhance security, reduce the risk of identity theft or fraud, and protect the integrity of the issuance process, you will be required to verify your social security number (SSN), identity, and citizenship before we can renew your Texas DL or ID.

Address Confidentiality Program

For information on the Address Confidentiality Program, visit the Address Confidentiality Program page. 

Driver Licenses or ID Cards (expired for more than two years)

Renewing Expired License

Driver licenses or ID cards that have been expired for more than two years cannot be renewed. If your driver license or ID card has been expired for more than two years, you must:   

  1. Verify your eligibility to apply for a driver license by visiting our License Eligibility page
  2. Meet all of the requirements for a new ID card or driver license (including taking the knowledge and driving tests)
  3. Apply in person as a new applicant at a driver license office

Driver Licenses or ID Cards (Drivers Age 79 or Older)

If you are 79 years of age or older and hold a driver license or ID card, you must renew in person at a driver license office. Visit the Drivers Age 79 or Older page for additional information.

Learner and Provisional Driver License (Under 18)

If you are under 18 years of age, you must renew in person at a driver license office.  Complete the renewal application and bring one of the following*:

  1. Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form, (VOE requires a signature. A stamped or computer generated signature of the school official is acceptable), or
  2. High School Diploma, or
  3. Graduated Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  4. Most recent report card which includes attendance record (this may be accepted during the summer when school is not in session)

If you are upgrading a learner license to a provisional license, you must submit a certification of completion of driver education.

* A VOE is not required for renewal if you provided it to obtain your learner license.

For more information about these requirements, visit the teen drivers web page.

   
Limited-Term Driver License or ID Card

Limited Term Renewal
If you need to renew a limited term driver license or ID card, visit the Temporary Visitor web page.


Currently Living Out-of-State

Out-of-State Renewal
If you do not currently live in Texas but your true, permanent home (domicile) is in Texas, visit the out-of-state renewal web page.

For more information on Applying for or Renewing a DL/ID/CDL or Reporting an Error on a DL/ID, visit our Frequently Asked Questions