- Renewing An Expired Texas Driver's License
- My Texas Drivers License Expired
- Renew Expired Texas Drivers License Online
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.
Drivers license expiration date is within the next 12 months and cannot have expired over 2 years ago. Your last time that you renewed your license was in person at a Texas DMV office. You must be older than 18 and less than 79 years of age. Applying for a new Texas Driver's License or Passenger Permit The State of Texas requires you renew your driver’s license upon expiration. Click here to simplify and find all the details for your renewal in the step-by-step process. Renewing your Texas Driver's License In Texas, anyone who has never been issued a driver's license must first. Traffic tickets. Cops aren't happy when they find drivers without valid licenses. License Renewal Grace Periods. Fortunately, some states are more forgiving than others in regards to an expired license. These states offer grace periods in which a driver can renew an expired license without repercussions, or even drive with it.
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.
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We know you’re eager to get behind the wheel, but doing so without a valid driver license is extremely dicey when you’re in the Lone Star State. Here’s a look at the repercussions you could face if you get caught driving without a license, driving with a suspended license, and other unique circumstances.
Driving Without a License
Did you learn how to drive but decided to skirt the whole getting your license thing? That’s not a good idea in Texas. Actually, it’s not a good idea in any state.
Do it the legal way, get your license with a state-approved provider like Aceable.
No matter how good your driving skills are, all the police officer will care about is whether or not you have a valid license. If you can’t produce one there could be very serious consequences.
- If there isn’t a licensed driver in the car with you (along with valid car registration and insurance) the motor vehicle will be impounded
- You’ll receive a ticket.
- You'll be arrested and taken to jail. Seriously. You’ll stay in jail until bail is granted and paid by a kind soul on the outside
- The bail, fees and fines are typically around $1,000
In the case of an accident where someone is injured and you’re found to be at fault, you’ll receive a Class A misdemeanor. The penalty is up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
Why risk it when getting your Texas driver’s license is easier than ever? Check out our mobile-friendly Texas adult drivers ed and teen drivers ed courses!
Getting your license is a magical moment!
Driving With a Revoked or Suspended License
Texas has a special designation for this traffic violation - Driving While License is Invalid (DWLI). It also applies when a person drives with a license that’s been denied or canceled.
If you get caught DWLI the penalty is stiff. For the first offense, your license will be suspended a second time, effectively doubling the length of the original license suspension. You could also get a fine of up to $500 and a surcharge of $250 a year for three years on top of that.
If you get caught DWLI a second time you’ll be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. The penalty could include up to six months in jail and $2,000 in fines.
Need a way to get to work? Instead of risking it, you can get an occupational license while your regular license is revoked or suspended.
Driving With an Expired License
Is your license renewal notice still sitting in a pile of mail at home? Getting stopped when you have an expired driver’s license will speed up the renewal process. In order to avoid a fine up to $200 (plus a surcharge of $100 a year for three years) you’ll need to:
- Get your license renewed
- Provide proof of the renewal
- Pay a $20 fee
All that needs to be done before your scheduled court date. If you fail to follow up and renew your license a Class C misdemeanor can get added to the traffic violation.
Renewing An Expired Texas Driver's License
Driving With a Valid License You Forgot to Bring With You
Sometimes our brains let us down, and we remember the keys (only because they’re necessary) but forget our driver’s license. If you have the worst luck in the world, that’s probably the one time you’ll get pulled over.
Should this happen, don’t panic. You’ll get a ticket for not having your license, but you’ll have a chance to prove you simply forgot it. All you have to do is show up to the courthouse on your court date and present your license to the judge. Once they verify it was valid at the time you were stopped the ticket will be dismissed.
Driving With an Out-of-State License
There’s one more situation you need to watch out for. If you move to Texas from another state you can drive legally with your valid out-of-state license for up to 90 days. After that you’re expected to get a valid Texas driver’s license. If you don’t and you get stopped for a traffic violation, you’ll get slapped with a ticket that’s up to $200 (if you’re lucky it will just be a written warning).
My Texas Drivers License Expired
Lots of people let procrastination get the best of them and put this off. But don’t be one of those people! It may seem like the state of Texas is putting you out, but really getting a Texas license only takes about 15 minutes at the local DPS if you check-in online.
Did this post inspire you to play it safe (smart) and get your Texas license? We've got you covered.
Renew Expired Texas Drivers License Online
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