If your true, fixed and permanent home (domicile) is in Texas and you are living outside of the state, you may be eligible to renew or replace your Texas driver license or ID card without returning to Texas.
Examples of people living outside of the state who have Texas domicile include certain U.S. active duty military members, students whose parents live in Texas and people temporarily living outside of Texas for work.
Out-of-State Renewal by Mail
Eligibility Requirements
To renew while out-of-state, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your driver license or identification card will expire in less than two years, and has not been expired for more than two years, unless you are active duty military
- You are between 18 and 78 years old
- You are not renewing or replacing a learner license, provisional license, occupational license or renewing a commercial driver license
- You are not subject to the registration requirements of Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure
- Your vision, physical or mental condition has not changed in a way that affects your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
- Your driver license is not currently suspended, revoked, canceled, and you do not have any warrants or outstanding traffic citations (check your driver eligibility status)
- Your driver record does not reflect an administrative status due to a condition that requires periodic review, including any medical or physical condition that may affect your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
- You are a U.S. Citizen
- Your social security number is on file with the Department
- You are not issued a Limited-Term driver license
- You comply with the Texas Residency Requirements
Out-of-State Renewal Process
If you meet these eligibility requirements, to renew your driver license or identification card you will need to submit the following information and completed forms to the Department for processing:
- An Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Packet
- Complete the enclosed application (DL-14A)
- The address field is the Texas address that appears on your driver license or identification card
- The mailing address field is your current address where you want your card mailed
- Proof of Texas Residency
- An Eye Specialist examination
- The appropriate renewal fee
If you are renewing a Class A or B non-commercial driver license, you must also include a completed Exemption Certification.
If you are changing your name with your renewal request, you will be required to submit additional documentation. See below for more information on name change requirements.
Send the completed forms and requested documents along with a check or money order payable to Texas DPS to the following address:
Texas Department of Public Safety
PO Box 149008
Austin, TX 78714-9008
Renewal for Active-Duty and Recently Discharged Military Members, Spouses and Dependents
If you are an active duty military member, spouse or dependent, and you are stationed outside the state of Texas, the expiration date of your Texas driver license or identification card is automatically extended unless your driver license has been suspended, canceled, or revoked.
If your driver license or identification card has not expired, or has not been expired for more than two years and you wish to renew your card, please follow the instructions for the Out-of-State Renewal process.
If your driver license or identification card has been expired for more than two years and you are active duty, recently discharged within the previous 90 days, a spouse or dependent, you may also renew your driver license or identification card. In addition to the requirements listed in the Out-of-State Renewal process listed above, you will need to include the following documentation for processing:
- A completed application (DL-14A) for a Texas driver license or identification card
- If available, a photocopy of your expired driver license or identification card
- A color, front and back photocopy of your Military Identification Card. Federal law permits copying your Military Identification Card when you are providing it to a governmental entity.
- Your normal signature on a blank piece of paper in black ink
- A certified copy of your birth certificate
As an active duty military member, spouse or dependent, you may have your current out-of-state address printed on your driver license or identification card.
In order for an expired driver license to remain valid, please carry your military ID card and Texas driver license with you while operating a motor vehicle.
Note: Only active duty military and those discharged within the previous 90 days, spouses and dependents, are eligible to renew a driver license or identification card that has been expired for more than two years.
A new driver license or ID card will be mailed within 45 days after the Department receives the request.
Out-of-State Replacement by Mail
If you are currently out-of-state and need to change your address or replace a lost or stolen driver license or identification card please complete and provide the following:
- An out-of-state application
- Proof of Texas Residency
- The appropriate replacement fee
Send the completed forms and requested documents along with a check or money order payable to Texas DPS to the following address:
Texas Department of Public Safety
PO Box 149008
Austin, TX 78714-9008
If you are military and want to have an out-of-state address listed on the face of your card, you must also send a color copy of the front and back of your military ID or most recent orders.
Out-of-State Renewals or Replacements Requiring a Name Change
In addition to the requirements listed above, if you are requesting to change your name, you must submit the additional following documentation with your request:
- Documentation that verifies your name change. If the document is not in English, then a certified English translation must also be submitted with the original. Copies are acceptable; please do not send originals.
- Your normal signature on a blank piece of white paper in black ink
If your name change is marriage related, one of the following documents is acceptable:
- Marriage license
- Divorce decree
- Annulment
- Department of State Health Services marriage verification letter
If your name change is not marriage related, one of the following documents is acceptable:
- Certified court order
- Amended birth certificate