Attention Seniors: Did You Know You Can Surrender Your License in Texas?

This may sound strange, but senior citizens can surrender their Texas driver's licenses. In fact, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced that it's easier than ever now that it can be done remotely.

How to Surrender My Texas Driver's License

If you're curious, there are multiple ways that you can give up your license. First of all, you need to be at least 65 years old, a U.S. citizen, and must have either a REAL ID (see below) or a Texas driver's license.

There are certain reasons explaining WHY one would voluntarily surrender their license, like moving to another state, but this recent announcement from DPS is focusing on senior citizens who can no longer safely drive.

When you log into the Texas by Texas (TxT) website, you will have an opportunity to surrender your current driver's license. In exchange, you will be given a new ID card.

To surrender your driver's license, you can either complete the online forms through TxT, or call 1-866-DL-RENEW (1-866-357-3639).

What is REAL ID in Texas?

If you're still unsure as to what exactly a REAL ID is, we can look at the REAL ID Act description from the Texas DPS website:

This Act strengthens the integrity and security of state-issued cards in an effort to reduce identity fraud and terrorism.

You may remember the announcement back in May of 2025 where only citizens with REAL IDs can board flights in airports.

You can check your license to make sure you have a REAL ID by searching for the gold or black star seen inside of a circle, typically located at the top right corner of your Texas driver's license.