Renew texas driver license after expiration date

The Texas Department of Public Safety allows drivers to renew their licenses up to one year before they expire, but you can still renew up to two years after the expiration date. The department offers several renewal options. At the time of publication, the renewal fee is about $30.

Expiration Date

Texas state driver's licenses are valid for six years and expire on your birthday. If you are unable to renew by this date, you can do so up to two years after, but you can't drive until you do. Licenses that have been expired for longer than two years cannot be renewed. In such a case, you must apply for a license like a new applicant, which involves taking vision, written and driving skills tests.

Ways to Renew

You can renew your license in Texas by phone, online or mail or in person. To renew online or by phone, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have a class C or CM license.
  • Be a U.S. citizen aged 18 through 78.
  • Have a Social Security number.
  • Have stable vision, mental and physical conditions -- that is, unchanged since your last renewal.
  • Renewed your license in person last time.

Requirements to Renew

To renew your license, you need the following:

  • Current license.
  • Credit card.
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • Fee payment.

If you are not eligible to renew by telephone, online or mail, you must renew in person at your local DPS office.

In-Person Renewal

Minors

Those who must renew their licenses in person include minors under 18 years and minors with provisional licenses. The provisional license is for teenagers under the age of 18 who have had a learner's permit for six months. Minors must show a Verification of Enrollment form, high school diploma or GED.

Drivers With Limited-Term Licenses

If you have a limited-term license, you must show proof of your legal residence. When you renew in person, you complete an application form, have your photo taken, pay the renewal fee and possibly take a vision test.

Renewing While Out of State

Contact the department to renew your expired license if you are a permanent Texas resident but currently reside out of state, such as being on active military duty or away at school. Download and complete the out-of-state or out-of-country form from the DPS website and send it with a check or money order to: Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 149008, Austin, TX 78714-9008. If you did not renew in person last time, include an Explanation for Eye Specialist form, which you can download from the website.

Warnings

The department will not send you a temporary license if you renew online, so you must print it out when you complete the online process. You will not receive a receipt for the telephone option.

Texas drivers licenses expire on the license holders birthday. The number of years that a license is valid depends on the age of the license holder.

  • If the license holder is below 18 years of age then the license expires on their 18th birthday
  • If the license holder is between 18 years and 84 years old then the license is valid for 6 years.
  • If the license holder is above 85 years old then the license is valid for 2 years
  • Temporary Driver's licenses are valid for the duration of your legal stay or 1 year

Renewing your Valid Driver's License in Texas

What do you need to renew your license in Texas? If you have a valid Texas drivers license you can renew up to 1 year before the expiration date or 2 years after the expiration date.

You can renew your Driver’s License online, by phone, by mail, or in person

If you have not renewed your license since October 2008 and have not verified your citizenship with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) then you will need to do so before you can renew your license. Below is a list of accepted documents to show citizenship or legal status:

  • Birth Certificate or Birth Record
  • US passport or passport card
  • US Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization
  • US Citizen Identification Card
  • Permanent resident card
  • Passport or I-94 stamped “Approved I-551” or “Processed for I-551”
  • Employment Authorization card (I-766)
  • US travel document (I-327 or I-571)
  • I-94 stamped “Sec. 208 Asylee” or “Sec. 207 Refugee”
  • Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with temporary I-551 language and ADIT stamp
  • Temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport
  • DS-2019 exchange visitor (J-1) certificate
  • I-20 Non-immigrant student (F-1)
  • Student documents with Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number
  • Non-student documents with alien number or I-94 number

Requirements for online drivers license renewal or renewal by phone

  1. You must have renewed your license in person the last time
  2. Class C or CM driver license
  3. You are 18 years or older with a normal license (not a provisional license or learner license)
  4. You are less than 79 years old
  5. You vision has not changed since your last renewal
  6. Your physical and mental condition has not changed in a way that could affect your ability to drive in a negative way.
  7. Your license is valid
  8. Your Social Security Number is already on file
  9. You are a U.S. Citizen

If you meet all of those requirements go to this link and follow the instructions!

You can also renew your drivers license in Texas by phone by calling 1-866-DL-RENEW (1-866-357-3639)

You will need the following items for both online and/or by phone credentials for your Texas license renewal:

  1. A valid Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express)
  2. Your current TX Driver license or ID card
  3. Your Social security Number

In-person Texas Driver License Renewal

You will HAVE to renew in person if you fit one of the below categories:

  • Under 18 years old
  • 79 years old or older
  • A non-U.S. citizen living in Texas temporarily
  • Renewing a learner's or provisional license

Below you will find the documents needed for the Texas DMV license renewal:

  • Proof of identification
  • Proof of Social Security Number
  • Proof Of Texas residency
  • Proof Of U.S. Citizenship
  • Current Driver’s License

For a list of accepted documents check the bottom of the page

Once at the office the following will happen

  • You will need to complete the Application For Renewal/Replacement/Change Of A Texas Driver License or Identification Card form (they should have copies of the form at the DPS office)
  • You have to pay the renewal fee
  • You will have your picture taken

Expired Driver’s License

If your license has been expired for less than 2 years than you can still renew your Texas drivers license

If you license have been expired for more than 2 years then you cannot renew your license. You will need to apply for a new Texas drivers license.

Suspended Driver License

If your license has been suspended, then you cannot renew your license. You will need to reinstate it with the DPS.

Acceptable Documents to prove your Texas Residency:

  • Current deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or a residential lease
  • Current homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy or statement
  • Electric, water, natural gas, satellite television, cable television, or non-cellular telephone statement dated within 90 days of the application date
  • Medical or health card
  • Valid, unexpired registration: Texas voter registration card, motor vehicle registration or title, boat registration or title
  • Current automobile insurance policy or statement
  • Current automobile payment booklet
  • Texas high school, college, or university report card or transcript for the current school year
  • Preprinted paycheck or pay stub dated within 90 days of the application date
  • W-2 or 1099 tax form from the current year
  • Mail from a financial institution; including checking, savings, investment account, or credit card statements dated within 90 days of the application date
  • Mail from a federal, state, county, or city government agency dated within 90 days of the application date
  • Current documents issued by the US Military indicate residential address
  • Selective Service card
  • Concealed handgun license
  • TDCJ document indicating recent release or parole
  • Current Form DS-2019, I-20, or a document issued by USCIS

Acceptable Documents to prove your Social Security Number:

  • Social Security Card
  • W-2
  • SSA-1099 Form
  • A non-SSA-1099 form,
  • or Paystub with the applicant’s name and SSN on it.

If you are unable to provide one of the above documents, the following can be accepted:

  • Military identification (active, reserve, and dependent status)
  • Certificate of release or Discharge of Active Duty (DD-214)
  • Certified college/university transcript designating number as SSN
  • Documents such as health insurance cards, Veteran's Administration cards, and pilot's licenses with identifiable SSN may be accepted.

Acceptable documents for Proof Of Citizenship or Lawful Presence:

  • Birth Certificate or Birth Record
  • US passport or passport card
  • US Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization
  • US Citizen Identification Card
  • Permanent resident card
  • Passport or I-94 stamped “Approved I-551” or “Processed for I-551”
  • Employment Authorization card (I-766)
  • US travel document (I-327 or I-571)
  • I-94 stamped “Sec. 208 Asylee” or “Sec. 207 Refugee”
  • Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with temporary I-551 language and ADIT stamp
  • Temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport
  • DS-2019 exchange visitor (J-1) certificate
  • I-20 Non-immigrant student (F-1)
  • Student documents with Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number
  • Non-student documents with alien number or I-94 number

How long is a Texas driver's license valid after expiration?

When to Renew Your License. You can renew your Texas driver license up to a year before it expires and up to two years after it expires.

Can I renew my drivers license after it expires?

Fortunately, you will be able to get an expired license renewed, but there may be some additional hoops to go through. Here's what you need to know when you go to renew a driver's license that has expired.

How long do you have to renew your license after it expires?

Motorists who apply for renewal of their driving licence cards before the expiry date are permitted to use the expired card for a period of three months, provided that they have in their possession the expired card and the receipt in the vehicle at all times.

Is there an extension on expired licenses in Texas?

AUSTIN – The COVID-related waiver on expiration dates for driver licenses (DLs) and identification cards (IDs) has now ended. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) continues to urge customers with an expired DL or ID to make an appointment or renew online today.