Texas Driver’s License and State ID: Is Your Card Old or New—and Is It Still Valid?

Updated October 27, 2026 | Texas Driver License & ID Card Guide

Have you noticed that Texas driver's licenses and state ID cards look different from the ones issued just a few years ago? You're not imagining things!

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) introduced a redesigned driver's license and state identification card on August 18, 2025. The new cards feature updated security technology, a different-looking REAL ID star, and a refreshed design.

But here's the big question: If your Texas license still has the old design, is it fake, outdated, or still valid?

The answer depends on when it was issued and the expiration date printed on the card.

Illustrative comparison of the previous and redesigned Texas driver's license. Sample artwork is for educational purposes only; refer to Texas DPS for official card examples and validity requirements.

What changed on Texas driver's licenses in 2025?

Texas DPS redesigned its driver's licenses, identification cards, and Election Identification Certificates to make them harder to counterfeit and easier to verify.

Here are the biggest differences between the previous and current designs.

The new cards also have updated visual elements, including a refreshed Texas-themed background and a smaller secondary photograph.

These changes are intended to make the cards more difficult to reproduce fraudulently. Read the official state announcement or go deeper on the states site - https://www.dps.texas.gov/news/dps-rolls-out-new-driver-license-design

Which Texas driver's license design is correct?

Both the 2020–2025 design and the 2025 redesign can be legitimate Texas credentials. An older-looking card is not automatically counterfeit.

Texas DPS identifies three design generations:

• Current design: Issued August 18, 2025, onward.

• Previous design: Issued February 24, 2020, through August 31, 2025.

• Oldest design: Issued April 2009 through February 23, 2020.

The date the card was issued is important when determining which design it should have. A card's expiration date and applicable DPS guidance also matter. https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/texas-dlid-card-designs" title="See all three official Texas DL/ID designs and issuance dates"/>.

Is there a deadline to replace the old Texas license?

There is no general requirement to replace a valid 2020–2025 design card simply because Texas introduced a new design.

However, DPS says the older design generations have different expected phase-out dates:

• The oldest design, issued from 2009 through February 23, 2020: DPS said these cards should be out of circulation by February 24, 2026. That date has now passed. If you still have one, check its validity and issuance details with DPS rather than assuming it remains acceptable.

• The previous design, issued from February 24, 2020, through August 31, 2025: DPS says these cards should be out of circulation by September 1, 2033. They remain valid according to their individual expiration dates and applicable requirements.

These are DPS's stated phase-out expectations; they do not mean every card automatically becomes invalid on the same date regardless of its circumstances. https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/texas-dlid-card-designs" title="Check the official card-design and phase-out guidance"/>.

Does the new black star mean your old gold-star license is invalid?

No. The black star is part of the redesigned card, not a declaration that the previous gold-star design is invalid.

The gold star on the previous Texas card indicates REAL ID compliance, just as the black star does on the redesigned card.

REAL ID is a separate issue from the card's overall design. A valid older card with the appropriate star can still meet federal identification requirements, subject to applicable rules.

Since May 7, 2025, travelers generally need a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, a valid passport, or another accepted alternative to board domestic flights. A card without a REAL ID indicator may not be sufficient by itself for federal identification purposes. Details at https://www.texas.gov/driver-services/texas-real-id/

Do you need to replace your Texas license just to get the new design?

Usually, no. If your current card is valid, you generally do not need to replace it merely because the design changed.

When it is time to renew, Texas DPS will issue the current design. If your card is lost, stolen, damaged, expired, or otherwise requires replacement, consult the official DPS or Texas.gov process to determine your options.

Where can you verify a Texas driver's license design?

The safest way to confirm which design is correct is to use the official Texas Department of Public Safety website. Compare the card's issuance date with the listed design dates, check the expiration date, and consult DPS if anything appears inconsistent.

Official reference: Texas DPS — Texas DL/ID Card Designs

The bottom line

Texas changed the appearance and security technology of its driver's licenses and state ID cards in August 2025. The new black star replaced the old gold star on the redesigned cards, but an older design is not automatically invalid just because it looks different.

Check the issuance date, expiration date, REAL ID indicator, and current DPS guidance before deciding whether a card needs to be replaced.