Renew Your Massachusetts License Online, by Mail, or In Person
You can renew your Massachusetts driver's license through three routes: online at mass.gov/rmv, by mail using the renewal notice the Registry of Motor Vehicles sends you, or in person at an RMV office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works if your license is not expired and you have not had certain violations. Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after you send it in. In-person renewal at an RMV office takes about 30 minutes once you arrive, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Your license is valid for five years from the date you renew it. You can renew up to six months before your expiration date, so you do not have to wait until the last moment. The RMV will mail you a renewal notice about two months before your license expires — that notice contains the form you need if you choose to renew by mail.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at mass.gov/rmv is the fastest option and works for most people whose licenses are not expired and have no recent violations.
- You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a credit or debit card to renew online.
- Mail renewal uses the form the RMV sends you in the renewal notice, takes 7 to 10 business days, and costs the same as online renewal.
- In-person renewal at an RMV office requires a valid ID, proof of residency, and your current license, and is necessary if you have had certain violations or your license is expired.
Renewing Online Through mass.gov/rmv
Go to mass.gov/rmv and click the "Renew Your License" link on the homepage. You will be asked to enter your current license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you are able to renew online. If you see a message that you cannot renew online, you will need to use the mail or in-person route instead.
If you are approved to renew online, you will answer a few questions about whether your address, height, eye color, and other information are still correct. Update anything that has changed. Then you will enter a credit or debit card number to pay the renewal fee — Massachusetts charges $50 for a five-year renewal. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal does not work if your license is already expired, if you have had certain violations in the past five years, or if you need to change your name or address on your license. In those cases, you must renew in person or by mail.
Renewing by Mail Using Your Renewal Notice
The RMV mails a renewal notice to the address on your current license about two months before it expires. The notice includes a form (DL 34) that you fill out by hand. Write your name, license number, date of birth, and current address on the form. If your address has changed, cross out the old one and write the new one clearly. Sign and date the form.
Include a check or money order for $50 made out to "Registrar of Motor Vehicles." Do not send cash. Put the form and payment in an envelope and mail it to the address printed on the renewal notice. The RMV will process your renewal and mail your new license back to you. The whole process takes 7 to 10 business days from the day they receive it, though mail delivery adds time on both ends.
Mail renewal works even if your license is expired, as long as it expired less than five years ago. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at an RMV office.
Renewing In Person at an RMV Office
Find your nearest RMV office at mass.gov/rmv and check their hours. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. You can walk in without an appointment at most locations, though some offices now use an online reservation system — check the office page before you go.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and a valid form of ID if your license is expired. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change. Have $50 in cash or a debit card ready for the renewal fee.
Tell the clerk at the counter that you are renewing your license. They will take your documents, take a new photo, and process your renewal on the spot. Your new license will be mailed to you in 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use to drive while you wait for the plastic card to arrive.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired
If your license expired less than five years ago, you can renew by mail or in person using the same process described above. You cannot renew online if your license is expired. If your license expired more than five years ago, the RMV treats it as a new license rather than a renewal, and you must go to an RMV office in person with proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and proof of identity.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Massachusetts, even if you have a renewal in progress. If you are stopped by police, you can show them your confirmation number from an online renewal or your temporary paper license from an in-person renewal to prove you have applied. Mail renewals do not give you proof of process, so if you use the mail route and your license expires before the new one arrives, you are driving illegally.
Changing Your Address or Name During Renewal
If you have moved and your address on your license is no longer correct, you can update it during renewal. Online renewal lets you change your address on the form before you pay. Mail renewal requires you to cross out the old address and write the new one on the DL 34 form. In-person renewal requires you to bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).
If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, you cannot change it during a straightforward renewal. You must renew in person at an RMV office and bring the document proving the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The office will issue a new license with your updated name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?
No, the RMV treats licenses expired more than five years ago as new licenses, not renewals. You must explore for a new license in person at an RMV office with proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. You will need to pass a vision test and answer questions about your driving record.
What if I do not receive my renewal notice in the mail?
You can still renew online or in person without the notice. Online renewal only needs your license number and date of birth. If you lost the notice and want to renew by mail, call the RMV at 617-351-4500 and ask them to mail you another copy, or go to an RMV office and renew in person instead.
How long can I drive on my temporary paper license?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days. Your new plastic license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days, so you should receive it before the temporary expires. If it does not arrive within 30 days, go back to the RMV office and ask for an extension.
Do I need an appointment to renew at an RMV office?
Most RMV offices accept walk-ins, but some now use an online reservation system. Check the page for your nearest office at mass.gov/rmv to see if you need to book a time slot. Even with a reservation, you may wait 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is.
What if the RMV says I cannot renew online?
The system blocks online renewal if your license is expired, if you have had certain violations in the past five years, or if you need to change your name or address. You can renew by mail or in person instead. Call 617-351-4500 if you want to know the specific reason you were blocked.