Renewing an Expired New Jersey License
You can renew an expired New Jersey driver's license, but the process depends on how long it has been expired and whether you can renew by mail or must visit a Motor Vehicle Commission office in person. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you may renew by mail or online. If it expired more than five years ago, you must appear in person at an MVC office with original documents.
The state treats renewals differently from initial licenses because the MVC already has your information on file. This means you do not need to retake the written or road test unless your license was suspended or revoked, or unless you are changing your address, name, or other key details that require verification.
Key Takeaways
- Licenses expired fewer than five years ago can be renewed by mail, online, or in person; licenses expired more than five years ago require an in-person visit to an MVC office.
- Mail renewal costs $24.50 for a four-year license and requires sending your current license, a completed form, and a check or money order to the MVC.
- Online renewal through the MVC website is available for some drivers and is faster than mail, though not all license types may have access to.
- In-person renewal at an MVC office requires a valid form of ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number, and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
- You can drive legally while your renewal is being processed if you have proof that you submitted your process before your license expired.
Mail Renewal for Licenses Expired Less Than Five Years
Mail renewal is the slowest option but requires no office visit. You will need your current (expired) license, a completed Form BA-44 (process for Renewal of Driver License), and a check or money order for $24.50 made payable to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Do not send cash.
Mail your materials to: Motor Vehicle Commission, P.O. Box 403, Trenton, NJ 08625. Processing takes approximately four to six weeks from the date the MVC receives your envelope. During this time, you cannot legally drive unless you have a paper receipt showing the MVC received your process before your license expired. If you submitted your renewal before expiration, you may drive on that receipt until your new license arrives.
Form BA-44 is available on the MVC website or at any MVC office. You can also request it by mail if you call the MVC at 609-292-6500. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and include it with your expired license and payment.
Online Renewal Through the MVC Website
The New Jersey MVC offers online renewal for some drivers whose licenses expired fewer than five years ago. Visit the official MVC website and look for the "Renew Your License Online" option. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start the process.
Online renewal costs $24.50 and you pay by credit card or debit card during the process. The MVC will mail your new license to the address on file. Processing time is typically two to three weeks, faster than mail renewal. However, online renewal is not available if you need to change your address, name, or other personal information, or if your license was suspended or revoked.
If the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access, you will need to use mail renewal or visit an MVC office in person.
In-Person Renewal at an MVC Office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to update your address, name, or other information. Bring your expired license, one valid form of ID (such as a passport, military ID, or state ID), proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number.
Visit any MVC office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and some locations have limited Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment for renewal, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits. The renewal process at the office takes 30 to 45 minutes on average.
The fee for in-person renewal is $24.50 for a four-year license. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the office. You will receive your new license on the spot or within a few days if additional processing is needed.
What Happens If Your License Was Suspended or Revoked
If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must visit an MVC office in person and bring documentation showing that the suspension or revocation has been lifted. This might include proof of payment of fines, completion of a defensive driving course, or a letter from the court or MVC stating the suspension has ended.
Contact the MVC before you visit to confirm what documents you need. Call 609-292-6500 and have your license number ready. Attempting to renew without clearing the suspension will result in your process being denied.
Driving While Your Renewal Is Being Processed
New Jersey law allows you to drive while your renewal is pending if you have proof that you submitted your process before your license expired. If you renewed by mail, keep the receipt or tracking number from your mailing. If you renewed online, print or save your confirmation email. If you renewed in person, you received a temporary paper license at the office.
Carry this proof with your expired license when you drive. Police will accept it as evidence that your renewal is in progress. Once your new license arrives in the mail, the temporary proof is no longer valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I moved to a different address?
If you moved within New Jersey, you can renew by mail or online and update your address on the form or during the online process. If you moved out of state, you cannot renew your New Jersey license; you must obtain a license from your new state. If you moved out of state and then moved back to New Jersey, you must renew in person at an MVC office.
What if I lost my expired license and do not have it to send in?
You must renew in person at an MVC office. Bring your valid ID, proof of address, and Social Security number. Tell the MVC staff that your license is lost; they will note this in their system and issue a new one. There is no additional fee for a lost license renewal.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks. Online renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal gives you a license on the spot or within a few days. Times vary depending on MVC workload and mail delivery speed.
Do I need to retake the written test if my license expired?
No. Renewal does not require a written or road test unless your license was suspended or revoked, or unless the MVC has reason to believe your medical condition or driving ability has changed since your last license was issued.
What if my name changed since my license was issued?
You must renew in person at an MVC office and bring a document proving your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Mail and online renewal do not allow name changes.