Ohio driver licenses renew every four or eight years depending on your age and license type
Ohio sends you a renewal notice in the mail 45 days before your license expires. The notice tells you whether you can renew by mail, online, or must visit a Deputy Registrar office in person. Most Ohio drivers under 65 with a standard license can renew online or by mail without going anywhere. Drivers 65 and older, those with commercial licenses, and anyone whose license was suspended or revoked must renew in person.
Your renewal important date is the expiration date printed on your current license. You can renew up to one year before that date, but your new license will not be mailed to you until after your current one expires. If you let your license expire, you can still renew it for up to two years after expiration without retesting, but you cannot legally drive until the new one arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio sends a renewal notice 45 days before expiration and tells you whether you can renew online, by mail, or must visit in person.
- Online renewal costs $25.50 and takes about 10 business days; mail renewal costs $20 and takes two to three weeks.
- You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit or debit card for online, check or money order for mail).
- If you have changed your name, address, or organ donor status since your last renewal, you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office.
- Expired licenses can be renewed for up to two years after expiration, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives.
Online renewal through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles website
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) allows online renewal at bmv.ohio.gov. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity against BMV records and ask you to confirm your address and any other information on file.
Online renewal costs $25.50 and is paid by credit or debit card. Your new license is mailed to the address on file and typically arrives within 10 business days. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after payment. If you do not receive your license within three weeks, contact the BMV at 614-752-7500 to check the status.
You cannot use online renewal if your address has changed since your last renewal, if you want to change your name or organ donor status, or if your license was suspended or revoked. In those cases, you must renew in person.
Mail renewal using the form in your renewal notice
The renewal notice Ohio sends you includes a mail-in form. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $20 to the address printed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current license (front and back) with your payment.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the BMV receives your envelope. The BMV does not provide a tracking number for mail renewals, so if you do not receive your license within four weeks of mailing, contact the BMV at 614-752-7500 with your name, date of birth, and license number.
Mail renewal is not available if your address has changed, if you need to update your name or organ donor status, or if your license was suspended or revoked. You must renew in person in those situations.
In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar office
Ohio has Deputy Registrar offices throughout the state that handle license renewals. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours at bmv.ohio.gov under "Find a Deputy Registrar." Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, and some are open Saturday mornings. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some offices allow you to schedule one online.
Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). If your address has changed since your last renewal, bring documents showing both your old and new addresses. Bring a valid payment method: cash, check, debit card, or credit card. In-person renewal costs $25.50.
Your new license is printed on the spot at most Deputy Registrar offices. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. If the office cannot print your license when ready, it will be mailed within 10 business days.
When you must renew in person
You cannot renew online or by mail if your address has changed since your last renewal. You also cannot use those methods if you want to change your name, add or remove organ donor status, or change your gender marker on your license. In all those cases, you must visit a Deputy Registrar office in person.
Drivers 65 and older must renew in person. Drivers with a commercial driver license (CDL) must also renew in person, even if they are under 65. Anyone whose license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled must renew in person and may need to provide additional documents depending on the reason for the suspension.
If your renewal notice says "in-person renewal required," do not attempt to renew online or by mail. The notice will explain why in-person renewal is necessary for your situation.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
You can legally drive on an expired Ohio license for up to two years after the expiration date if you have submitted a renewal request before the license expired. If you did not submit a renewal request before expiration, you cannot legally drive, and you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office.
If you renew after expiration, you do not have to retake the written or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than two years. After two years of expiration, you must pass the written and vision tests again and pay the full fee for a new license, not a renewal fee.
Your new license will be mailed to you after your current one has expired. If you need to drive before it arrives, ask the Deputy Registrar office for a temporary paper license valid for 45 days.
Fees and payment methods by renewal type
| Renewal Method | Cost | Processing Time | Payment Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $25.50 | 10 business days | Credit or debit card |
| $20 | 2 to 3 weeks | Check or money order | |
| In-person at Deputy Registrar | $25.50 | Same day (temporary) or 10 business days (permanent) | Cash, check, debit card, or credit card |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been suspended?
No. You must clear the suspension first by paying any fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions set by the court or BMV. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office. Contact the BMV at 614-752-7500 to find out what you need to do to clear your suspension.
What if I moved and did not update my address before renewing?
You must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office and bring proof of both your old and new addresses. Your new license will be mailed to the new address you provide. If you have already renewed online or by mail with your old address, contact the BMV when ready to request an address change before your license is mailed.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew in person?
Most Deputy Registrar offices print your permanent license on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed. Some offices mail the license instead, which takes about 10 business days. Ask the office when you arrive whether they print licenses on site.
Can I renew my license early?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. However, your new license will not be mailed to you until after your current license expires. If you need to renew early because your license is damaged or lost, contact the BMV about a replacement instead of a renewal.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online at bmv.ohio.gov or in person at a Deputy Registrar office without the notice. For mail renewal, you can request a new notice by calling the BMV at 614-752-7500, or you can renew online or in person instead.