Where to renew and what you'll need
You can renew your Massachusetts driver's license in person at any RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) office, or online through the Massachusetts RMV website if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes once you're called; the online route takes about 10 minutes from home and costs less.
For either method, you'll need to bring or have ready: your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your Massachusetts address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
Your license is valid for five years from the date of renewal. You cannot renew more than six months before it expires, and you cannot drive legally after it expires.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through mass.gov/rmv takes 10 minutes and costs $50, but only works if your license is not expired and you have not renewed online in the past five years.
- In-person renewal at an RMV office requires the same documents but lets you renew up to six months early and handles name changes or address corrections on the spot.
- The RMV processes online renewals within 7 to 10 business days; your new license arrives by mail about a week later.
- If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the vision test.
Renewing online through the RMV website
Go to mass.gov/rmv and click "Renew Your License Online." You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to confirm your address or update it if you have moved.
You will then upload a photo. You can use a recent photo from your phone or computer — it must show your face clearly, be taken against a plain background, and be in color. The RMV will reject blurry photos, photos with sunglasses, or photos taken indoors with poor lighting.
Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation number by email. The RMV processes the renewal within 7 to 10 business days. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Do not expect it for at least two weeks from the date you submit.
Online renewal costs $50 and is not available if your license has already expired, if you have renewed online within the past five years, or if you need to change your name or address on the license itself (as opposed to just updating the RMV's records).
Renewing in person at an RMV office
Find your nearest RMV office on mass.gov/rmv under "Locations." Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment, but you can reserve a time slot online to skip the walk-in line.
Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your address. If your name has changed, bring the legal document showing the change. Arrive with time to spare — wait times vary by location and time of day, but can run 45 minutes to two hours during lunch and late afternoon.
At the window, tell the clerk you are renewing. They will verify your documents, take a new photo, and run a vision test. The vision test is the same one you took for your original license — you read letters on a screen from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them for the test.
Once the clerk processes your renewal, you will pay the fee ($50 for a five-year license) and receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your new plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. In-person renewal is the only option if your license expired more than two years ago.
What happens if your license has already expired
If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can still renew it in person at an RMV office using the same process as above. Bring the same documents and expect the same wait time.
If your license expired more than two years ago, the RMV treats it as a new process rather than a renewal. You will need to bring additional documents: a certified birth certificate or passport, two proofs of your Massachusetts address, and proof of your Social Security number. You will also retake the written knowledge test and the road test, not just the vision test. This process takes longer and costs more than a standard renewal.
Renewing by mail (limited situations)
The RMV does not offer standard mail-in renewal. However, if you are a Massachusetts resident living outside the United States, you may be able to renew by mail. Contact the RMV directly at 617-351-4500 to ask whether you may have access to and what documents to send.
If you are a member of the military stationed outside Massachusetts, you may also have options. Call the RMV or visit mass.gov/rmv for military renewal procedures.
After your renewal is processed
If you renewed online, your new license arrives by mail. Do not drive with an expired license while you wait — use the confirmation email as proof that you have submitted a renewal.
If you renewed in person, you received a temporary paper license at the counter. This is valid for 30 days and lets you drive legally while your plastic license is in the mail. Once your new license arrives, destroy the paper version.
If you did not receive your new license within three weeks of renewal, contact the RMV at 617-351-4500 or check the status on mass.gov/rmv using your confirmation number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?
No. The RMV will not process a renewal if you have an unpaid citation or fine. You must pay the fine or resolve the ticket first. Contact the court listed on your citation to find out what you owe and how to pay.
What if I need to change my address but my license is not expired yet?
You can update your address without renewing your license. Go to mass.gov/rmv, click "Change Your Address," and follow the steps. This is free and takes a few minutes. Your license itself will not change, but the RMV's records will be updated.
Do I need a new photo if I renew online?
Yes. Online renewal requires you to upload a new photo. You cannot use the photo from your current license. The photo must be recent, clear, and taken against a plain background.
How much does it cost to renew?
Online renewal costs $50. In-person renewal also costs $50 for a five-year license. If your license expired more than two years ago and you must explore as new, the cost is higher — contact the RMV for the current fee.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew a lost license online. You must go to an RMV office in person and bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of address. The clerk will issue a replacement license, which counts as a renewal if your old license has not expired.