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AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging residents to get ahead of the summer rush at driver license offices across the state by renewing their license or identification card early or online. The summer months tend to be one of the busiest times 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.
“Texas driver license offices are especially busy during the summer when students and families are on vacation,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “During these busy months, DPS encourages eligible customers to take advantage of our convenient options for online and phone renewal of driver licenses and identification cards or visit a DPS driver license mega center – if they are required to visit an office.”
If a trip to a driver license office is necessary, customers in the major metro areas 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 landline 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 within one year prior to 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.
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.
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 http://dps.texas.gov/administration/driver_licensing_control/Rolodex/scheduleDriveTest.htm.
To find out more about online renewal services, visit: http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/OnlineServices.htm.
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