Texas Department of Public Safety

The Texas Department of Public Safety is the state agency that issues driver licenses and identification cards to Texas residents, licenses handguns, and maintains crime records. Its work also covers the Highway Patrol, the Texas Rangers and a state crime laboratory.

Driver licenses are valid for up to eight years, and most can be renewed up to two years before or after they expire, online, by phone, by mail or in person at a local driver license office. Address changes on a license must be reported within 30 days of moving. Headquarters is in north Austin, and public phone lines are listed for driver license customer service and handgun licensing.