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Texas Dept. of Public Safety | Mar 14, 2014
Austin - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging customers to use online services or visit a driver license mega center when renewing their driver license or identification card during the busy weeks surrounding Spring Break. Residents who are eligible can skip the trip to the office completely by using Texas.gov to renew their license or identification card.
“Spring Break can be a very busy time at Texas driver license offices, creating the perfect opportunity for Texans to take advantage of several convenient options available online or at a driver license mega center,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Many customers are eligible to completely forego a trip to an office by renewing online or they can visit state-of-the-art mega centers, which feature technology that allows customers to get in line before arriving.”
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 leverage 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.
Many offices require online scheduling in order to obtain an appointment for a driving test. To see if an office near you offers online scheduling, visit www.dps.texas.gov/administration/driver_licensing_control/rolodex/search.asp.
To be eligible to renew online, 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.
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 within one year prior to the expiration date, which means they can pick a time that is convenient for their schedule.
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.
Visit the DPS website to make sure you have the proper paperwork (including documents needed for residency requirements) before making the trip to the office: http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm.
To find out more about online renewal services, visit: http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/OnlineServices.htm.
To find out additional information about the mega centers and the technology that allows you to get in line before coming into the office, visit: http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/getinlinebeforeyougo.htm.