Where to renew your Texas driver's license in Garland
The Garland Driver License Office is located at 1500 West Avenue H, Garland, TX 75040. This is the main location where you can renew in person. You can also renew by mail or online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, depending on your situation — not all renewal types work for all methods.
If you choose to renew in person at the Garland office, bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Wait times vary; calling ahead at (469) 326-7700 can give you a sense of how busy the office is.
Online renewal through the Texas DPS website is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if your license is not expired, you have not had more than one license suspension in the past five years, and your address has not changed. The fee is $16 for a one-year renewal or $48 for a five-year renewal paid by credit or debit card.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew in person at the Garland Driver License Office at 1500 West Avenue H, by mail, or online through the Texas DPS website depending on your situation.
- In-person renewal requires your current license, proof of residency dated within 90 days, and your Social Security number.
- Online renewal costs $16 for one year or $48 for five years and is the fastest method if your license is not expired and your address has not changed.
- Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your process and costs the same as in-person renewal.
- Your Texas license expires on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.
Renewal fees and license validity periods in Texas
Texas driver's license renewal fees depend on how long you want the license to be valid. A one-year renewal costs $16, a four-year renewal costs $32, and a five-year renewal costs $48. These are the standard fees for a regular Class C driver's license. If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), fees are higher and vary by class.
Your new license will be valid for the period you choose, starting from the date of renewal. Your license expires on your birthday. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, which means you can start the process as soon as you receive a renewal notice from DPS or whenever you want to avoid a last-minute rush.
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must renew in person at the Garland office or another DPS location. You will also need to pass a vision test and may need to retake the written test depending on how long your license has been expired.
What documents you need for in-person renewal in Garland
Bring your current Texas driver's license to the Garland office. If your license is lost or stolen, bring a government-issued photo ID such as a passport or state ID card instead. You will also need proof of residency — a document dated within the last 90 days showing your current address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address.
You must provide your Social Security number. The DPS will verify it with the Social Security Administration. If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
If you are renewing a license that has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew in person at the Garland office. You must contact the DPS directly or visit the DPS website to find out what steps you need to take to clear the suspension or revocation before you can renew.
Online and mail renewal options for Texas licenses
Online renewal through the Texas DPS website takes about 10 minutes and is available 24 hours a day. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You pay by credit or debit card, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot use your old license after you renew online, so plan accordingly if you need to drive before your new license arrives.
Mail renewal requires you to complete Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License), which you can read from the Texas DPS website or pick up at the Garland office. Include your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and proof of residency. Mail the packet to the address shown on the form. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after DPS receives your process, plus mailing time in both directions.
Mail renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you have had more than one suspension in the past five years, or if you have changed your address. If any of these explore, you must renew in person at the Garland office.
Vision test and written test requirements
If you renew in person at the Garland office, you will take a vision test. The test checks whether you can read a standard eye chart from a distance of 20 feet. If you wear glasses or contacts, you can wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you will be asked to see an eye doctor and bring a vision correction form (Form DL-91) signed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist before you can complete your renewal.
You do not have to retake the written test unless your license has been expired for more than two years or the DPS has reason to believe you are not familiar with current traffic laws. If you do have to retake the written test, it covers Texas traffic laws and safe driving practices. You can study using the Texas Driver's Handbook, which is available free on the DPS website.
If you renew online or by mail, you will not take a vision test or written test. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person and will be required to take both tests.
Timeline for receiving your renewed license
If you renew in person at the Garland office, you will receive a temporary paper license when ready after you complete the process. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and allows you to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail. Your permanent license will be mailed to the address on your process within 7 to 10 business days.
If you renew online, you will not receive a temporary license. You can continue to use your old license until your new one arrives, which takes 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online process. Plan ahead if you need to renew close to your expiration date.
If you renew by mail, the timeline depends on how long it takes for your process to reach the DPS office. Mail your process at least two weeks before your license expires to allow time for mailing and processing. After DPS receives your process, processing takes 7 to 10 business days, and then your new license is mailed to you.
Common mistakes to avoid when renewing in Garland
Do not wait until your license expires to renew. You can renew up to one year before expiration, and doing so early avoids the rush and gives you time to fix any problems. If your license expires and you have not renewed it, you cannot drive legally, even if you have applied for renewal.
Do not assume you can renew online or by mail if your address has changed. If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must renew in person at the Garland office and bring proof of your new residency. The same applies if you have had more than one license suspension in the past five years.
Do not bring an expired utility bill or lease as proof of residency. The document must be dated within 90 days of your process. If you have recently moved and do not yet have a utility bill in your name, bring a lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement instead.
Do not forget your Social Security number. You cannot complete your renewal without it. If you do not know your number, contact the Social Security Administration before you go to the Garland office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
No. If you have an unpaid traffic ticket or fine, the DPS will not renew your license. You must pay the ticket or fine or make a payment arrangement with the court before you can renew. Contact the court that issued the ticket to find out how to pay or set up a payment plan.
What if my name has changed since I got my current license?
Bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You must renew in person at the Garland office; you cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. The DPS will issue a new license with your updated name.
How long does a temporary paper license last?
A temporary paper license issued at the Garland office is valid for 45 days. It allows you to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail. If your permanent license does not arrive within 45 days, contact the DPS to find out what happened.
Can I renew my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, if you have a valid visa or work permit. You will need to bring your visa or work permit along with your current license and proof of residency. You must renew in person at the Garland office. Contact the office at (469) 326-7700 if you have questions about what documents to bring.
What if I lost my license before I could renew it?
Bring a government-issued photo ID such as a passport or state ID card to the Garland office instead of your current license. You will also need proof of residency and your Social Security number. You can renew in person at the office, but you cannot renew online or by mail if your license is lost.