The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has introduced several important updates to the state driver’s license program, affecting everything from the card’s appearance to how often seniors must appear in person.
New license design and REAL ID star
Effective August 18, 2025, DPS began issuing a redesigned driver’s license made of tamper‑resistant polycarbonate. The new card features a black, laser‑engraved REAL ID star, replacing the gold star used on the previous design. Existing licenses remain valid until their printed expiration dates, so drivers do not need to replace a perfectly good card before it expires.
Name rules on applications
Under Texas Administrative Code § 15.23, applicants must list their documented first name on the license application, even if they commonly use a middle name. Married applicants can choose to keep their birth surname, adopt a spouse’s surname, or use a hyphenated combination. These rules help ensure that law‑enforcement officers can quickly verify a driver’s identity.
Renewal intervals and senior‑driver requirements
Most Texas drivers with a standard license can renew every eight years. However, DPS requires that anyone who has renewed online or by phone must have completed an in‑person renewal the previous time, meaning most motorists will need to visit a DPS office roughly once every 16 years.
Drivers age 79 and older face a stricter schedule. Those aged 79‑84 receive an eight‑year license, while anyone 85 or older is issued a two‑year license and must renew in person each time.
Vision testing
When a driver renews in person, DPS administers a vision exam. Drivers who qualify for online renewal are exempt from the in‑office vision test for that transaction, but they must certify that any changes in vision, physical health, or mental health have not materially affected their ability to drive safely.
Driver‑education requirements
Texas still requires driver education for applicants under 18. Those aged 18‑24 must complete a six‑hour adult driver‑education course, while drivers 25 and older are exempt from the education requirement but must still meet all other licensing and testing standards. Education can be obtained through certified schools, online programs, parent‑taught courses, or participating public schools.
Future technology: virtual issuance
DPS is planning an online application and virtual‑issuance program for eligible transactions. As of October 27, the system is labeled “Coming Soon,” and motorists should not assume every renewal can be completed virtually at this time.
Traffic‑safety trends
Texas recorded 4,150 traffic deaths in 2024, a modest decline from 4,291 in 2023. The statewide fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled also fell. Nonetheless, distracted driving remains a serious concern. TxDOT attributes 86,384 crashes and 299 deaths in 2025 to driver distraction.
These updates reflect DPS’s ongoing effort to modernize licensing, protect public safety and accommodate the needs of Texas drivers while preserving the integrity of identification standards.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
