How to Get a Replacement Driver’s License in Texas: Online or Mail

A replacement driver’s license in Texas costs $11 through the Texas Department of Public Safety, and you have three ways to apply: online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.¹ Online is the fastest route if you qualify. The replacement card keeps the same expiration date as the one you lost or damaged, so a duplicate doesn’t reset your renewal clock.

Replacing Online

If nothing on the front of your card needs to change, the DPS online tool is the quickest path. You’ll need four pieces of information: your driver’s license number, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, and the audit number from your most recently issued card.²

The audit number is the catch. It’s printed on the physical card, so if your license is lost and you never wrote it down, online replacement is off the table. You’re also ineligible online if your license is expired, suspended, revoked, or disqualified.³ When you do qualify, pay the $11 fee electronically and print a temporary license at home while you wait for the permanent card to arrive by mail.

Replacing in Person

When online isn’t an option, a visit to a DPS driver license office gets you a temporary paper license on the spot. Schedule an appointment through the DPS website before going. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders move through much faster.

At the office, complete Form DL-14A (the standard adult application, with “Replacement” checked as the reason), present your identity and residency documents, and pay the $11 fee. DPS offices accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.¹ Once processed, you’ll leave with a temporary paper license that’s valid for driving until your permanent card arrives.⁴

Documents to Bring

DPS uses a tiered identity system. You satisfy the requirement in one of three ways:⁵

One primary document, such as a valid U.S. passport or a Texas driver’s license that expired no more than two years ago.
Two secondary documents, such as an original or certified U.S. birth certificate.
One secondary document plus two supporting documents. Supporting documents include items like a Social Security card or a Texas voter registration card.

If you haven’t previously established U.S. citizenship or lawful presence with DPS, bring proof of that too. A U.S. passport or birth certificate typically covers both identity and citizenship in one document.⁵

You’ll also need two documents proving Texas residency, and they must be different types. The accepted list is broad: utility bills dated within 180 days, a Texas vehicle registration or title, a current lease, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a voter registration card, or a Texas fishing or hunting license all count.⁶ Your Social Security number is verified electronically during the visit, so have it memorized or bring the card.

Replacing by Mail

If you can’t apply online and can’t easily get to a DPS office, mail in your application. The mail-in form is DL-16P, not the DL-14A used in person.⁷ Download DL-16P from the DPS website, complete it, and mail it with your $11 fee by check or money order payable to Texas DPS. You won’t receive a temporary license this way, so plan ahead if you need to drive while you wait.

Replacing While Out of State

Texas residents temporarily living elsewhere can replace a lost or damaged license by mail without coming home. Eligible people include:⁸

Active-duty U.S. military members, their spouses, and dependents.
Students whose parents reside in Texas.
People temporarily living out of state for work.

Submit Form DL-64 with a $10 fee by check or money order payable to Texas DPS. Mail everything to: Texas Department of Public Safety, PO Box 149008, Austin, TX 78714-9008.⁸ If you hold a commercial driver’s license, the residence address on your application must be a Texas address.

If Your License Was Stolen

A stolen license carries risks beyond the missing card. Someone holding a government ID with your name and photo can open credit accounts, write bad checks, or interact with police under your identity. The replacement process is the same as for a lost license, but take a few additional steps to protect yourself:⁹

File a police report with your local police department or sheriff’s office. Note the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak with, and keep a copy of the report.
Place a fraud alert with any one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and request a free credit report. The bureaus share the alert, so notifying one covers all three.
Bring your police report and personal identification when you visit a DPS office. DPS may ask you to complete a Forgery Affidavit, which will need to be notarized.

Flying Before Your New Card Arrives

This is where people get tripped up. TSA does not accept temporary paper driver’s licenses at security checkpoints. The printout you get from a DPS office, or from the online replacement tool, will not get you through airport security on its own.

If you need to fly before the permanent card arrives and you don’t have a passport or other acceptable federal ID, TSA offers an identity verification service called ConfirmID at the checkpoint. It takes 10 to 15 minutes on average and can run 30 minutes or longer. The fee is $45, payable online through Pay.gov.¹⁰ It works, but it’s neither fast nor free. Carrying your passport, if you have one, is the easier move.

REAL ID and Your Replacement

Federal REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. A REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star or flag) is now required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.¹¹ If your lost or damaged card was already REAL ID-compliant, your replacement should carry the same designation. If it wasn’t, a routine replacement won’t upgrade it. To upgrade, you’ll need to visit a DPS office in person with the full set of REAL ID documents: proof of identity, Social Security number, and two residency documents.

DPS offers a free online REAL ID Document Check tool that generates a personalized checklist based on your situation.¹² A valid U.S. passport also works at airport security in place of a REAL ID license.¹¹

After You Apply

The permanent replacement card typically arrives by mail within two to three weeks.⁴ If you applied in person, the temporary paper license covers you for driving in the meantime. If you applied online, print the temporary version at home.

DPS has an online tracker where you can check the status of your card as it’s processed and shipped.¹³ If three weeks pass with no card and no status update, contact DPS directly.

One last thing worth checking before you pay: the replacement carries your original expiration date. If your license was already close to expiring, renewing gives you a new expiration and avoids paying twice.¹

1
Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees
2
Department of Public Safety. Replace Your Driver License, Commercial Driver License or ID Card
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Texas.gov. Online Services Eligibility for Texas Driver License and ID Cards
4
Department of Public Safety. Apply for a Texas Driver License
5
Department of Public Safety. Identification Requirements
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Department of Public Safety. Texas Residency Requirement for Driver Licenses and ID Cards
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Department of Public Safety. Lost or Stolen Driver License/ID Card FAQ
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Department of Public Safety. Renew or Replacing Your DL or ID While You Are Out-of-State
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Department of Public Safety. Identity Theft Information Guide
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Transportation Security Administration. About TSA ConfirmID
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Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
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Department of Public Safety. Federal REAL ID Act
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Department of Public Safety. Where’s My Driver License or ID Card