The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging residents to get a jump on their summer to-do lists by renewing their license or identification (ID) card early or online. The summer months tend to be one of the busiest times of the year at driver license offices, and many Texans are eligible to skip the trip to the office completely via online renewal of their license, identification card or change of address at Texas.gov.
“DPS offers a variety of convenient options that allow eligible residents the opportunity to conduct Texas driver license or ID card transactions without coming into the office, and we encourage customers to take full advantage of these options – especially during the summer months,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “If an office visit is required, customers should visit offices that offer additional technology or capacity, if one is available near them.”
Customers in the major metro areas who must visit an office should consider visiting mega centers in their area. Located in the Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio metropolitan areas, driver license mega centers offer high-capacity facilities and technology designed to improve efficiency and customer service. Mega centers feature an innovative queuing system that offers customers the convenient option to reserve a spot in line before going to the office. Customers can virtually enter the line via cell phone, online or using a land line telephone.
In addition, DPS encourages customers to take advantage of this same technology to get in line before arriving at an office, which is available at several other locations across the state. To find an office that offers this option, see http://dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/onlineScheduling.aspx.Licenses must be renewed in person every 12 years, so an updated photo can be taken and eyesight can be tested. If residents need to come into the office to renew, they can do so up to one year before the expiration date, which means they can pick a time that is convenient for their schedule.
In order for a customer to be eligible for online renewal, the card holder must be a U.S. citizen and the expiration date on the card must be within one year. When the card is renewed, the expiration date on the new card will be six years after the current card’s expiration date, whether customers renew early or not.
Additionally, in order to renew online, the card cannot have been expired for more than two years. Requirements for renewing online are available at Texas.gov, the official website of the State of Texas. Customers can also renew by phone at 1-866-357-3639. The eligibility requirements for phone renewal are the same as for online renewal. The fee is the same for online, in-person and telephone renewals.
Customers may obtain a replacement driver license or identification card online if they are able to provide the 20-character code on the front of their current license or card.
