How to renew your New Jersey driver's license
You can renew your New Jersey driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. Most people renew by mail or online — both take about two weeks from the time you submit. In-person renewal at an MVC office is faster if you need your license quickly, though wait times vary by location. You do not need to take a new photo or pass a test unless your license has been expired for more than five years.
The method you choose depends on how recently your license expired and whether your personal information has changed. If your license expired within the last five years and your name, address, and vision needs are the same, you can use mail or online renewal. If your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to update your information, you must renew in person.
Key Takeaways
- Mail and online renewal both work if your license expired within the last five years and you have not changed your name, address, or vision correction needs.
- Online renewal through the MVC website is the fastest option and costs $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the MVC; processing takes about two weeks.
- In-person renewal at an MVC office is necessary if your license expired more than five years ago, you need a new photo, or you want to update your address or name.
- You must renew before your license expires to avoid a late fee and to keep your driving privileges active.
Renewing online through the MVC website
Online renewal is the fastest and most straightforward option for most people. Go to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website (nj.gov/mvc) and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
The process takes about 10 minutes. You will answer questions about your address, vision, and medical history. Once you submit and pay, the MVC mails your new license to the address on file. Most people receive their renewed license within two weeks. You can continue to drive on your expired license while you wait for the new one to arrive, as long as you have proof that you submitted your renewal.
Online renewal is not available if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your name or address, or if you wear corrective lenses and your prescription has changed. In those cases, you will need to renew by mail or in person.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal works if your license expired within the last five years and your personal information has not changed. You will need to complete Form BA-64, which you can read from the MVC website or request by mail. Fill out the form with your current information, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order.
Send your packet to the address listed on the form — currently the MVC's mail processing center in Trenton. Include payment of $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license. Processing takes about two weeks from the time the MVC receives your packet. You can drive on your expired license during this time.
Keep a copy of your completed form and note the date you mailed it. If you do not receive your new license within three weeks, contact the MVC to confirm they received your renewal.
Renewing in person at an MVC office
In-person renewal is necessary if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you want to update your name or address. You will also need to renew in person if you wear corrective lenses and your prescription has changed, or if you have any medical conditions that affect your ability to drive.
Visit the MVC website to find the office nearest you and check current wait times. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your New Jersey residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 12 months). If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
At the office, you will have your photo taken, answer health and vision questions, and pay the renewal fee. The MVC will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days, depending on the office. In-person renewal typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, though wait times can be longer during peak hours.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license has been expired for more than 30 days, you cannot legally drive. You must renew before you get behind the wheel. If you are stopped by police while driving with an expired license, you can face a fine and your vehicle may be impounded.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to an MVC office in person. The office will treat your renewal as a new license process, which means you will need to provide more documents and may need to pass a vision test. This process takes longer than a standard renewal.
If you renew after your license has expired, you may owe a late fee in addition to the standard renewal cost. The fee varies depending on how long your license has been expired. Renewing before the expiration date avoids this extra charge.
Costs and payment methods
A four-year New Jersey driver's license costs $24 to renew. An eight-year license costs $48. These prices are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you renew after your license has expired, add a late fee — the amount depends on how many years past expiration your license is.
Online and in-person renewal accept credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. Do not send cash by mail. Make checks payable to "New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission."
Tracking your renewal status
If you renewed online or by mail, you can check the status of your renewal on the MVC website. You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The status page tells you whether your renewal has been received, processed, or mailed.
If you renewed in person, ask the office staff for an estimated delivery date. Most in-person renewals are mailed within a few days. If your new license does not arrive within the timeframe given, contact the MVC customer service line at 609-292-6500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?
No, you cannot renew by mail or online if your license expired more than five years ago. You must visit an MVC office in person. The office will process your renewal as a new license process, which requires more documents and may include a vision test.
What if I changed my address since my license was issued?
If you changed your address, you can update it during online renewal. If you are renewing by mail, include your new address on the form and the MVC will print it on your new license. If you need to change your address and your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
No, unless your license expired more than five years ago or you choose to update your photo. If you want a new photo but your license is current, you can renew in person at an MVC office and request a new photo. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo.
How long does it take to get my renewed license?
Online and mail renewal take about two weeks from submission. In-person renewal at an MVC office issues your license on the spot or mails it within a few days, depending on the office. You can drive on your expired license while you wait for your new one to arrive by mail.
What if I lose my renewed license before it arrives?
Contact the MVC when ready at 609-292-6500 to report the loss. You can request a replacement license, which the MVC will mail to you. You may need to visit an MVC office in person to file a lost license report, depending on the office's current procedures.