How to Replace a Texas Driver's License

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posted on 6 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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In Texas, replacing your lost or stolen driver's license is fairly simple. Fill out an application form for a new license and submit it in person to your local department of motor vehicles (DMV) office, with proper ID and a processing fee. If you are replacing your driver's license because of a change of address, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division's website to apply for a new card.

Steps

Replacing a Lost or Stolen License

Find a DMV office near you. To replace your lost or stolen license, you will have to show up to a DMV office in person. Use your city or postal code to search online for the nearest Texas location. For searchable listings of all Texas DMV offices, visit the DMV website at https://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/dmv-office-finder.php. Check the operating hours of each office before visiting one, as they can vary between locations.

Fill out form DL-43 to apply for a replacement license. You will need to submit a completed application for the renewal, replacement, or change of a Texas driver's license when you go to the DMV. Fill out your personal and contact information and answer all of the questions below by indicating "yes" or "no." Print out this form from the Texas Department of Public Safety website. If you don't have a printer you can obtain a copy of this form at the DMV and complete it in person. Form DL-43 is available in English and Spanish. Do not leave any fields on the form blank.

Present acceptable proof of ID or supporting documents. To confirm your identity, bring a primary document that proves who you are, such as a passport or military ID. If you do not have one of these forms of identification, bring 2 secondary forms of ID, like your birth certificate and health insurance card. If you only have 1 form of secondary ID, bring 2 supporting documents, such as a voter registration card and social security card. To view a complete list of all of the acceptable documents for both primary and secondary forms of ID, visit the Texas Department of Safety website at https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/forms/dl-57.pdf. Note that photocopies of these documents will not be accepted. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to present a valid U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or foreign passport with an attached temporary I-551.

Pay the $11 processing fee to complete your application. Once your application form and ID have been reviewed and accepted by a DMV agent, pay the $11 fee for a replacement license. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or major credit card. Hold onto your receipt for proof of this payment.

Have your picture taken and submit a thumbprint. Once you have paid for your new license, you will need to provide visual proof of identification for your new card. Follow the DMV agent's instructions for getting your picture taken. Submit a thumbprint that will also confirm your identity on the card. If you are required by law to wear glasses while driving, wear them for your ID photo as well.

Changing the Address on Your Card

Access the the Texas Driver License Renewal and Change of Address system. If you want to replace your Texas driver's license to update the address, do so on the official website of the state. To use this online service you will need a copy of your current driver's license. To access this service, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division's page at https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txdl/. This online service can't be used to replace a lost or stolen license.

Enter information from your current license to login to the service. To access the Driver License Renewal and Change of Address system, type enter your date of birth and the last 4 digits of your social security number when prompted to. Refer to your current license to enter your license number. Enter the audit number that appears towards the bottom of your license as well. Note that all of these fields are required. if you are missing any of this information, you will have to present yourself at DMV office to change your address on your license.

Type in your new address. Once you are logged in, select the option for changing your driver's license address. Type in your new address in full. Double check the information before proceeding to the next step.

Pay a $25 fee with a valid credit card. Once you have updated your address and confirmed it, you will have to pay for your new card. Use a valid Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express card to pay the $25 fee. Carefully enter the credit card number as well as the cardholder's name and 3-digit security number.

Print a temporary license to use until your new license arrives by mail. Once you renew your license with the correct address, you can print a temporary license to use. This temporary license will be valid for 45 days. Use your temporary license until you receive the new one by mail, which should arrive within the same 45 day period.