Driver License Services, Extensions, and Waivers

April 15, 2021

The Department offers all in-office DL and ID card services by appointment only.

Texas driver license and identification cardholders

To minimize the need to visit your local driver license office, many Texas DL and ID holders are eligible to conduct their renewal, address change, or replacement transaction online by visiting Texas.gov.   For additional information about renewing or replacing your DL or ID card or changing your address, visit the following webpages.

Replacing a lost Texas driver license or identification card

The Department encourages all Texas residents who have lost their Texas DL, ID, or CDL to conduct their replacement transaction online.  Visit the Department's webpage How to replace your Driver License, Commercial Driver License or ID card for more information. 

Transferring an Out-of-State Driver License to Texas

New Texas residents can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or qualifying country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas. Visit the Department's webpage How to apply for a Texas Driver License for more information.  To schedule an appointment to obtain a Texas driver license or identification card, visit Driver License Services – Appointments.

Commercial Driver License Cardholders

The waiver, granted by the Governor due to COVID-19, regarding the expiration date of commercial driver licenses (CDL) ended on April 14, 2021. To schedule an appointment to renew your CDL, visit Driver License Services – Appointments.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration waiver for medical certificates and federal variances expired on February 28, 2022.

Drivers who have an updated medical certificate may still submit it to the department by email CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov or by fax 512-424-2002.

The Department continues to process medical certificates and limb/vision waiver applications.  

FMCSA is also waiving the 14-day requirement to hold a commercial learner permit before skills testing can be conducted. At this time, the commercial driver license offices that are conducting skills tests will continue to prioritize testing for those drivers who have held the CLP for 14 days or longer. CDL Third Party Skills Test providers may prioritize drivers who were already scheduled for testing or may waive the 14-day requirement, depending on their business need. This waiver expires February 28, 2023.

Effective March 28, 2020, FMCSA issued a waiver for Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) holders operating commercial motor vehicles during the COVID-19 response. The waiver is in effect until February 28, 2023 and allows a CLP holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle without having a commercial driver license (CDL) holder in the front seat, as long as the CDL holder is present elsewhere in the cab. The CLP holder must have successfully passed the CDL skills test and must keep a copy of the test with them while driving. Furthermore, the CLP holder must have a valid driver license and medical certificate or meet the expiration extension requirements. The benefit of this waiver will allow CLP drivers to continue their training, due to the closures of state departments of motor vehicle facilities.

Effective April 9, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration authorized the Department to allow CDL third-party skills test providers to conduct knowledge tests in addition to the skills tests. This allows a student or an employee of a CDL TPST provider to take knowledge tests from their school or employer to receive a commercial learner permit or an endorsement(s) on their CDL. Instructions have been provided to all CDL TPST providers, so you must contact a CDL TPST provider to begin the knowledge testing process. The Department is in the process of implementing federal guidance that allows this process to continue without the waiver.

Effective January 24, 2022, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration authorized the Department to waive a portion of the CDL testing requirement covering knowledge of the "under the hood" engine components. This component will be waived for CDL applicants seeking the School Bus and Passenger endorsements. Applicants who successfully complete the required testing will be issue a CDL restricted to intrastate operation of a school bus only. This waiver expires on November 27, 2024.

Information is available at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Domestic Travel

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may accept an expired Texas DL or ID as valid identification for domestic flights up to 12 months after expiration.  For more information, visit the Transportation Security Administration's website Four Tips to Remember When Checking Your ID At Airport Security.

Additional Information

Please continue to visit this webpage frequently to receive the most current information about driver and commercial driver licensing services. For additional information on COVID-19, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions, or one of the following websites: