How to Renew Your Maryland Driver's License

Renew Your Maryland License Online, by Mail, or In Person

Maryland lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online at mva.maryland.gov, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Administration office. Which route you can use depends on your age, how long your license has been expired, and whether you need a new photo. Most people under 60 with a valid or recently expired license can renew online in about 10 minutes and receive their new card in 7 to 10 business days.

If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must appear in person. The same applies if you are 60 or older, if you need to change your name or address, or if you want a REAL ID-compliant card (which requires proof of citizenship and identity documents). In-person appointments at MVA offices typically take 20 to 30 minutes once you are called, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal works only if your license is valid or expired less than two years, you are under 60, and you do not need a new photo or REAL ID upgrade.
Mail renewal requires the same conditions as online renewal and takes 7 to 10 business days for delivery after processing.
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, you are 60 or older, or you want a REAL ID card.
You will need your Social Security number, current license number, and a valid payment method (credit or debit card) for online or mail renewal.
REAL ID cards cost the same as standard renewals but require original or certified copies of your birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers.

Online Renewal: The Fastest Route for Most People

To renew online, go to mva.maryland.gov, select "Renew a Driver's License," and log in or create an account. You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and the date of birth on your license. The system will ask whether you want to keep your current photo or upload a new one — if you upload a new photo, it must meet Maryland's specifications (plain background, no sunglasses, head centered, taken within the last six months).

After you review your information and pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card, the MVA will mail your new license to the address on file. Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you submit. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal — you must renew in person and request a temporary paper license at the office.

Online renewal is not available if your license is expired, if you are 60 or older, if you want to change your address or name, or if you want a REAL ID card. The system will tell you when ready if you are ineligible and direct you to the mail or in-person option.

Mail Renewal: Same may be able to access as Online, Slower Delivery

Mail renewal follows the same rules as online renewal — your license must be valid or expired less than two years, you must be under 60, and you cannot change your address or name. To renew by mail, read the DL/ID Renewal process (Form DL 43) from mva.maryland.gov, fill it out by hand, and mail it with your current license and a check or money order to the address listed on the form.

Processing by mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days after the MVA receives your envelope, plus mail transit time in both directions — so plan for 2 to 3 weeks total. You can drive on your current license the entire time. If you want to track your renewal, call the MVA at 410-787-7758 after one week and provide your license number; staff can tell you whether your process has been received and processed.

Mail renewal costs the same as online renewal. If you are unsure whether you meet the may be able to access rules, call the MVA before mailing your process — it is faster to confirm by phone than to wait for a rejection letter and start over.

In-Person Renewal at an MVA Office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than two years ago, if you are 60 or older, if you want to change your name or address, or if you want a REAL ID card. Book an appointment online at mva.maryland.gov or call 410-787-7758. Walk-ins are accepted but typically have longer waits, especially at offices in Baltimore, Prince George's County, and Montgomery County.

Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you want a REAL ID card, bring your original or certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization papers — photocopies are not accepted.

At the office, you will have a new photo taken unless you bring a recent photo that meets Maryland's standards. The MVA will issue a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 45 days, and mail your permanent card within 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license for travel or identification before the permanent card arrives, the temporary license is acceptable for domestic flights and most government buildings.

REAL ID Renewal: What You Need and Why It Matters

A REAL ID card is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings as of May 2025. Maryland's REAL ID cards look the same as standard licenses but have a gold star in the upper right corner. They cost the same to renew but require proof of citizenship and identity that standard renewals do not.

To renew as REAL ID in person, bring your original or certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization. Photocopies, hospital birth certificates, and certified abstracts are not accepted. You must also bring proof of your Social Security number and current address, the same as a standard in-person renewal. If you do not have one of the accepted citizenship documents, you can renew as a standard license and upgrade to REAL ID later by visiting an MVA office with the required documents.

REAL ID renewal cannot be done online or by mail — you must appear in person. Book an appointment to avoid a long wait, especially if you are upgrading from a standard license.

Renewal Fees and Payment Methods

Maryland driver's license renewal costs vary by age and license type. A standard five-year renewal for someone under 60 costs one amount; a renewal for someone 60 or older costs a different amount. Check mva.maryland.gov for the current fee, as it may change. REAL ID renewal costs the same as a standard renewal.

For online renewal, you pay by credit or debit card at the time of submission. For mail renewal, you pay by check or money order made out to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. For in-person renewal, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the office. If you renew online or by mail and your payment is declined, the MVA will contact you by phone or email to resolve the issue.

What to Do If Your License Is Expired or Lost

If your license expired less than two years ago and you are under 60, you can still renew online or by mail using the same process as a valid license. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person — the online and mail options are not available.

If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it — you must request a replacement. Go to mva.maryland.gov, select "Replace a Driver's License," and follow the same process as renewal. A replacement costs the same as a renewal and takes the same amount of time. If you have lost your license and it is also expired, you still use the replacement process, not the renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Maryland does not suspend license renewal for unpaid traffic tickets or fines. You can renew your license regardless of outstanding tickets. However, if your license has been suspended for a separate reason — such as a DUI conviction or failure to pay child support — you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Call the MVA at 410-787-7758 to check your suspension status before you attempt to renew.

How long can I drive on an expired license while waiting for my renewal to arrive?

You can drive on your current license until it expires. Once it expires, you cannot legally drive unless you have a temporary paper license from an in-person renewal. If you renewed online or by mail and your new license has not arrived, contact the MVA to request a temporary license by phone or visit an office in person.

What if I moved and my address on my license is wrong?

You cannot change your address through online or mail renewal — you must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days) along with your current license and proof of your Social Security number. Your new license will be mailed to your new address.

Can I renew my license if I changed my name?

Yes, but only in person. Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Photocopies are not accepted. Your new license will reflect your new name.

What if my online renewal was rejected?

The system will tell you why you are ineligible — usually because your license is expired, you are 60 or older, or you want a REAL ID card. Follow the alternative route it suggests (mail or in-person). If the reason is unclear, call the MVA at 410-787-7758 and provide your license number; staff can explain what you need to do next.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.