TDL Renewal (live, groceries, store)

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by PhinneyWalker

It is not a question of being a constitutional right. It is a question of reasonableness. $33 seems quite excessive to me. Driver licenses are not tamper proof either, but again, that is neither here nor there.

Well we could pay more in our taxes to help fund DPS but I’m ok with a $33 fee since the license is good for 4 years. That’s only $8.25 a year.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

Well we could pay more in our taxes to help fund DPS but I’m ok with a $33 fee since the license is good for 4 years. That’s only $8.25 a year.

I renewed mine in 2021 and it is valid for 8 years. That was a change made at some point before mine expired.


Don't recall what I paid but the $97.00 fee sounds right as I have a Class A, B, & C license. So that makes it $10/Year as a fee. Not unreasonable and the extended expiration is nice as well.

[elnina]

Originally Posted by PhinneyWalker

It is not a question of being a constitutional right. It is a question of reasonableness. $33 seems quite excessive to me. Driver licenses are not tamper proof either, but again, that is neither here nor there.

You get now the Real ID/DL, with the star.
That enhanced ID is more secure than the old DL. It's made of polycarbonate material, which is more tamper-resistant and harder to reproduce, and feature laser engraving to provide an added layer of protection against alterations and forgeries.
You will be able to use it as an ID, for domestic flights, and for entering federal facilities.

So, you pay more for all those features.

To get a REAL-ID compliant Texas driver license or ID, you need:

An original or certified copy of a Birth Certificate or an unexpired U.S. Passport Book or Card
Social Security Card
Current Texas Vehicle Registration or Title
Current Car Insurance Policy or Car Insurance Statement
If your name changed, legal documents showing proof of name change from your birth name

[PhinneyWalker]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

Well we could pay more in our taxes to help fund DPS but I’m ok with a $33 fee since the license is good for 4 years. That’s only $8.25 a year.

Four years??? I thought they were valid for seven years. I recall renewing every seven years.

[elnina]

Originally Posted by PhinneyWalker

Four years??? I thought they were valid for seven years. I recall renewing every seven years.

It's 7 (seven) years and expires on your birthday.

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by elnina

It's 7 (seven) years and expires on your birthday.

Actually, I looked at their website and says it's 8 years. Huh - for some reason I thought less, but 8 is even better.

How often do I have to renew my driver license or ID card?
ID cards must be renewed every 6 years. Driver licenses must be renewed every 8 years for anyone between the ages 18 and 84.

[Seguinite]

Originally Posted by elnina

... You will be able to use it as an ID, for domestic flights, and for entering federal facilities.

So, you pay more for all those features.

To get a REAL-ID compliant Texas driver license or ID, you need:

An original or certified copy of a Birth Certificate or an unexpired U.S. Passport Book or Card
Social Security Card
Current Texas Vehicle Registration or Title
Current Car Insurance Policy or Car Insurance Statement
If your name changed, legal documents showing proof of name change from your birth name

Yet not all the other states will recognize that Texas REAL-ID license as proof enough that you are who you are when you go to get a license in their state.

As much as I hate most things federal, I fervently believe automobile registration and driver licensing needs to be one system, not 50.

[elnina]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

Actually, I looked at their website and says it's 8 years. Huh - for some reason I thought less, but 8 is even better.

How often do I have to renew my driver license or ID card?
ID cards must be renewed every 6 years. Driver licenses must be renewed every 8 years for anyone between the ages 18 and 84.

I just physically checked my Real TX DL and it's seven years.

But Google search gives contradicting results.

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by elnina

I just physically checked my Real TX DL and it's seven years.

But Google search gives contradicting results.

I checked mine too and it expires in 2025 and I renewed it in 2019, so I am totally confused!

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

I checked mine too and it expires in 2025 and I renewed it in 2019, so I am totally confused!

If you just changed the address, they don't renew it at the same time. They are good for 7 years.