EastTexasRadio.com Powered by Ten Stations
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging Texans to plan ahead for the busy weeks surrounding Spring Break and take advantage of early renewals, online services or visit a driver license mega center when renewing their driver license or identification card. Residents who are eligible can skip the trip to the office completely by using Texas.gov to renew their license or identification card.
“Because we know customers value their time, DPS provides several options for customers to complete driver license or identification card transactions online, or in person at high-capacity mega centers, which have the option of reserving a place in line before arriving,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We encourage Texans to make the most of their time by using these options – especially during the busy Spring Break weeks.”
Located in the Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio metropolitan areas, driver license mega centers offer larger facilities and technology designed to improve efficiency and customer service. Mega centers and other select offices leverage a 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. For a list of the driver license offices that offer this feature or to schedule an appointment before arriving, visit: (http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/onlineScheduling.aspx)
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://www.dps.texas.gov/administration/driver_licensing_control/Rolodex/scheduleDriveTest.htm.
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. Customers can renew their card early at any time within one year of the expiration date and choose a convenient time that fits their schedule. 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 at1-866-357-3639. 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.