Need a driver's license appointment in Texas? What to know about renewals, availabilities

In nine months' time, REAL IDs will take effect in Texas and the rest of the country as a form of identification people will need to have to travel by air in the United States if they don't have a valid passport or U.S. military ID.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In nine months' time, REAL IDs will take effect in Texas and the rest of the country as a form of identification people will need to have to travel by air in the United States if they don't have a valid passport or U.S. military ID.

For transplants heading to the Lone Star State, new drivers and those with licenses issued before 2016, that means they'll likely need to book an appointment at the Texas Department of Public Safety. In recent years, that's proven to be a difficult task at times, after Texas DPS moved to an appointment-only system in 2020 to cut down on long lines snaking outside of its offices. Those appointments can be made here.

KXAN Investigates reported on those continued delays in March 2023, where six of the seven longest wait times at the time were reported in the KXAN viewing area. KXAN reached out to Texas DPS for an update on how appointment delays and availability looked now in the nearly year and a half since.

A Texas DPS spokesperson said availability varies statewide depending on demand levels, but overall the driver license offices aren't experiencing "any abnormal delays" in appointment scheduling. However, they did note the department has faced challenges with "finding qualified applicants to fill open positions" at those offices, leading to a reduced number of available appointments offices can provide.

With all this in mind, how, exactly, can you try to secure an appointment in a reasonable amount of time? The spokesperson flagged the DPS driver's license tracker as a tool, which analyzes appointment availability and estimated wait times at offices statewide.

The earliest available appointments the Austin area's four offices — Austin North, Austin Northwest, Austin South and Pflugerville Mega Center — ranged between two days for commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals at the Austin North location to 47 days out for CDL renewals at Austin Northwest, as of Wednesday.

CDL renewals appeared to have the highest delays in appointment availabilities, based on DPS driver license tracker data as of Wednesday. Denton had the longest delay statewide as of Wednesday afternoon, with an estimated 123-day appointment wait for CDL renewals.

Using that wait time tool, those needing a new license can head to smaller communities, which typically have shorter wait time than DPS offices in the Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio metro areas. There is also a finite number of same-day appointments released on a limited basis, per Texas DPS.

The spokesperson added Texas DPS had a substantial no-show rate in June, with 27% of people not showing up to or canceling their appointments; that 27% figure amounted to more than 173,000 no-show appointments. To help offset the impacts of those no-shows, Texas DPS does offer a finite number of standby appointments that operate "like an airline standby list."

"This works much like an airline standby list—while at the kiosk, the customer is informed that there are no appointments available for that day, but a standby slot is available if they are willing to wait," the spokesperson said. "While there is no guarantee of how long the wait will be, anyone on the standby list will be served by the end of the day. Again, these standby appointments are very limited and should not be used as a substitute for making an appointment online."

License holders can schedule an appointment at DPS up to six months in advance, and Texas DPS alerts license holders of upcoming expirations six months out from that expiration date.

"We encourage drivers to take action and book an appointment, or check to see if they are eligible to renew online, as soon as they get their notice," the spokesperson said in part. "While some customers, like first time applicants, are required to come into the office, many Texans are eligible to renew online. Drivers should check eligibility to renew or replace their driver license online."

Texas DPS resources explained those with licenses needing a renewal can do so up to two years before or after they expire. The sole exception to that is CDL renewals, which can only be renewed up to one year before they expire, per Texas DPS.

Those looking to renew a driver license, CDL, motorcycle license or identification card can do so online or via phone if they meet these requirements:

• Driver license renewal requirements:
  • The license holder renewed their license in person the last time
  • A Class C, M or CM driver license or any class CDL without a hazardous material (Hazmat) endorsement can be renewed online; those with a hazmat-endorsed license cannot renew those online
  • The license either expires within two years or has been expired for less than two years
  • The holder will be 18 within 30 days and has a provisional license
  • The holder is under 79 years old
  • The holder's vision, physical and mental health haven't substantially changed since their last renewal
  • The holder has a valid medical certificate on file (this applies to CDL only)
  • The license is valid, hasn't been suspended, revoked, canceled, denied or disqualified and the holder doesn't have any outstanding tickets or warrants
  • The holder is a U.S. citizen with a social security number included on their record
• Identification card renewal requirements:
  • The ID card holder renewed their ID in person the last time
  • The holder's ID expires within two years or has been expired for less than two years
  • The holder is 18 years old or older
  • The holder is a U.S. citizen with a social security number included on their record

More details on booking an appointment with Texas DPS are available online.