Special to The Leader

BEAUMONT – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) temporarily closed the driver license offices in Orange County and Jefferson County on Friday, August 25, 2017 in preparation for Hurricane Harvey. The Beaumont Driver License office, located at 7200 Eastex Freeway, reopened this morning at 8 a.m. This office has returned to normal business hours.

DPS will provide a no-cost replacement driver license or identification card for residents in the impacted counties, provided they had previously been issued a Texas driver license or identification card. Customers living in the affected counties are encouraged to bring whatever identity and residency documentation they have in their possession. (Replacement identification would normally cost $11.)

Eligible card holders will need to visit a driver license office in person to obtain a free Texas driver license or identification card replacement. To find a driver license office near you, please visit
http://www.dps.texas.gov/administration/driver_license_control/rolodex/search.asp. Since DPS driver license offices have been impacted by flooding as well, please check the website prior to coming to an office to ensure it is open.

Many Texans are eligible to take advantage of online services for driver license/identification card renewals, duplicates or address changes available at Texas.gov. Customers can also renew by phone at 1-866-357-3639. The eligibility requirements for phone renewal and online renewal are the same. The fee is the same for online, in-person and telephone renewals. Note: Customers may renew their Driver License/Texas ID card one year early prior to their expiration date, which allows them to choose a convenient time that fits their schedule.