How to verify your Maryland driver's license status online
You can check whether your Maryland driver's license is current without visiting an office. The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) lets you look up your license status through their website using your driver's license number and date of birth. This takes about two minutes and tells you when ready whether your license is valid, expired, or suspended.
Go to mva.maryland.gov and find the "Check License Status" tool in the online services section. You will need your Maryland driver's license number and your date of birth. The system will show you the expiration date on your license and whether any holds or suspensions are active against it. If your license is expired, the page will also show you how long it has been expired and what you need to do next.
This check works for standard driver's licenses, commercial licenses, and learner's permits. If you cannot find your license number, you can call the MVA at 410-787-7758 (or 1-800-637-6828 from outside Baltimore) and speak to someone who can look it up for you using your name and date of birth.
Key Takeaways
- The MVA website shows your license status in real time using your license number and date of birth.
- An expired Maryland license cannot be used to drive legally, and you will need to renew it before driving again.
- A suspended or revoked license means you cannot drive at all, and you must contact the MVA to find out why and what steps to take.
- If your license is current but you have lost it, you can request a replacement through the MVA website or in person.
What "current" means for a Maryland driver's license
A current Maryland driver's license is one that has not yet reached its expiration date. The expiration date appears on the front of your license in the lower right corner. As long as today's date is before that date, your license is current and you can legally drive in Maryland and most other states.
Maryland driver's licenses are valid for eight years from the date they are issued. If you received your license on January 15, 2016, it would expire on January 15, 2024. The MVA mails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you are responsible for renewing on time — the notice is a reminder, not a requirement to act.
If your license expired yesterday or last year, it is no longer current. You cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if you have only missed the date by one day. However, you can still renew it — Maryland does not make you retake the written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than two years.
What to do if your license is expired
If your license has passed its expiration date, you can renew it online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office. The online renewal option is fastest and costs $109 for an eight-year license. You will need your current license number, a valid email address, and a payment method (credit or debit card). The process takes about 10 minutes, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you renew online, you will receive a temporary digital license that you can use when ready on your phone while you wait for the physical card. This temporary license works for driving and identification purposes in Maryland. You do not need to visit an office unless you want to update your photo or address at the same time.
If you prefer to renew in person, you can walk into any MVA office without an appointment. Bring your expired license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), and payment. The in-person renewal takes about 30 minutes from arrival to completion, and you will receive your new license on the spot.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
If the status check shows your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot drive legally. A suspension is temporary — your driving privilege is taken away for a set period, after which it can be restored. A revocation is more serious and typically requires you to reapply for a license after a waiting period.
Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical conditions reported to the MVA, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. The status check may not tell you the specific reason, so you will need to call the MVA at 410-787-7758 to find out why your license is suspended and what you must do to restore it.
Depending on the reason, you may need to pay outstanding fines, complete a defensive driving course, provide a medical clearance, or wait out a suspension period. The MVA can tell you the exact steps and timeline when you call. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Maryland and can result in fines, jail time, and additional license suspension.
How to renew your license if it expired more than two years ago
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot use the online renewal option. You must visit an MVA office in person and retake the written test and road test, just as if you were getting your first license. This is because Maryland considers a license that has been expired for more than two years to be no longer valid for renewal purposes.
Bring your expired license, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2), and proof of Maryland residency. You will pay the standard license fee ($109 for eight years) plus the testing fees. The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. The road test is conducted by an MVA examiner and typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes.
You can schedule a road test appointment online at mva.maryland.gov or by calling 410-787-7758. Written tests are offered on a walk-in basis at most MVA offices during business hours. Plan to spend two to three hours at the office if you need to take both tests on the same day.
Renewing your license by mail
Maryland allows mail renewal if your license is current or expired by less than two years. You do not need to visit an office or go online. Fill out the renewal form (which the MVA sends with your renewal notice), include a check or money order for $109, and mail it to the address on the form. Your new license will arrive within 10 to 14 business days.
Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but works if you do not have internet access or prefer not to use a credit card. You will not be able to update your photo or address through the mail — if you need either of those changed, you must renew in person or online.
If you did not receive a renewal notice in the mail, you can request the renewal form by calling the MVA or visiting an office. Keep your payment receipt until your new license arrives, in case there is a question about whether the MVA received your process.
What happens if you drive with an expired license
Driving with an expired Maryland license is a traffic violation. A police officer can stop you and issue a citation. The penalty is typically a fine of $70 to $110, though the exact amount depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you have other violations on your record.
If your license expired less than one month ago, many officers will issue a warning instead of a citation, especially if you can show proof that you have already renewed it or started the renewal process. However, you cannot count on this — the safest approach is to renew before your license expires.
If you are involved in an accident while driving with an expired license, your insurance may refuse to cover the damage, and you could face additional legal consequences. Renewing takes only a few minutes online, so it is worth doing before the expiration date arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in other states with a current Maryland license?
Yes. A valid Maryland driver's license is recognized in all 50 states and most countries. You can legally drive in any state as long as your license is current and you follow that state's traffic laws. Some states have different rules about what documents you need to carry, so check before you travel.
What if I lost my license but it is still current?
You can request a replacement through the MVA website or in person at an office. A replacement license costs $7 and arrives within 7 to 10 business days if you order online. You will need to provide your driver's license number and date of birth. If you cannot remember your license number, visit an office with proof of identity and residency.
Does my Maryland license work for flying or entering federal buildings?
A current Maryland driver's license works for domestic flights and most federal buildings. However, starting in 2025, Maryland licenses that do not meet federal REAL ID standards may not be accepted for air travel. Check the TSA website to see whether your license is REAL ID compliant, or explore for a REAL ID-compliant license at your next renewal.
How do I know if my license has been suspended without calling the MVA?
The online status check at mva.maryland.gov will show you when ready if your license is suspended, revoked, or current. You do not need to call unless you want to know the specific reason for a suspension or need help with the next steps to restore it.
Can I renew my license early before it expires?
Yes. You can renew your Maryland license up to one year before it expires. Early renewal does not extend your license beyond the normal eight-year period — your new expiration date will be eight years from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew. Renewing early can be useful if you are traveling and want a fresh license or if you want to update your photo or address.