How to Renew Your Maryland Driver's License

What you need to do to renew in Maryland

Maryland renews driver's licenses by mail, online, or in person at an MVA office. Which method you can use depends on how close you are to your expiration date and whether your license is a REAL ID (the kind with a gold star). Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, but some situations require you to show up in person.

Your license is valid for five years from the date it was issued. You can start the renewal process up to one year before it expires. If your license has already expired, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must go to an MVA office and bring documents to prove your identity and residency.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address, name, or medical information since your last renewal.
Mail renewal requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and a check or money order; processing takes two to three weeks.
In-person renewal at an MVA office is required if your license has expired, if you have a REAL ID and want to keep it, or if you have changed your address or name.
The renewal fee is $109 for a five-year license, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
You can check your license expiration date on the front of your card or by logging into your MVA account online.

Online renewal: fastest option if nothing has changed

Online renewal through the Maryland MVA website is the quickest method if your circumstances have not changed since your last renewal. You will need your current license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The process takes about 10 minutes, and you will receive a temporary digital license when ready that you can use right away.

You cannot renew online if your license has expired, if you have moved to a new address, if you have changed your name, or if you have updated your medical information (such as correcting a vision restriction). You also cannot use online renewal if your current license is a REAL ID and you want to keep the REAL ID designation — that requires an in-person visit. If any of these explore to you, skip to the mail or in-person section below.

Your physical license card will arrive in the mail within one to two weeks after you complete the online renewal. Until it arrives, the temporary digital license is valid for driving and identification purposes.

Mail renewal: no office visit needed, but slower

To renew by mail, you will need to complete Form DL-43 (process for Maryland Driver's License Renewal), which you can read from the MVA website or request by phone. You will also need to send in your current physical license card, a check or money order for $109 made payable to the Maryland MVA, and a copy of proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).

Mail your completed form, license, payment, and address proof to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the MVA receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided on the form. If you need your license sooner, this method is not the right choice — consider an in-person visit instead.

Mail renewal works only if your license is not expired and nothing about your identity, address, or medical information has changed. If you have moved, changed your name, or updated your medical status, you must renew in person.

In-person renewal at an MVA office

You must renew in person at an MVA office if your license has expired, if you have a REAL ID and want to keep it, if you have moved to a new address, if you have changed your name, or if you have updated your medical information. Bring your current license, proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days), and payment of $109 (cash, check, debit card, or credit card accepted).

Wait times at MVA offices vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the MVA website before you go. Many offices allow you to make an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are faster.

If you are renewing a REAL ID license and want to keep the REAL ID designation, bring your current REAL ID license plus one document proving your identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID) and one document proving your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). REAL ID renewal in person takes longer than standard renewal because the MVA must verify these documents.

What happens if your license has already expired

Once your license expires, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to an MVA office in person and bring documents to prove your identity and residency. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days), and $109 for the renewal fee.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Maryland, even if you have already started the renewal process. If you are stopped by police, you can show proof that you have submitted a renewal process (such as a receipt from an in-person visit or a confirmation email from online renewal), but this does not may provide you will not be cited. Renew before your expiration date to avoid this situation.

Timeline and what to expect after you renew

If you renew online, you will receive a temporary digital license when ready and your physical card within one to two weeks. If you renew by mail, your new card arrives in two to three weeks. If you renew in person, you will receive your new card on the spot or within a few days if the office needs to mail it to you (this is rare).

Your new license will have a new expiration date five years from the date you renewed. Check the expiration date on your new card when it arrives to make sure it is correct. If you notice an error, contact the MVA to request a correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have moved out of state?

No. If you have moved out of Maryland, you must obtain a driver's license from your new state instead of renewing your Maryland license. Contact your new state's DMV or equivalent agency to begin that process. You cannot hold a valid driver's license from two states at the same time.

What if I lost my current license and cannot send it in for mail renewal?

You must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring proof of your identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID) and proof of your current address. You will pay the $109 renewal fee plus a $20 replacement fee for the lost license. The MVA will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew online or by mail, the MVA will use your existing photo from your current license. If you renew in person, the MVA will take a new photo. If you want a new photo but are renewing online or by mail, you must renew in person instead.

How do I know if my license is a REAL ID?

Look at the front of your license. If there is a gold star in the upper right corner, it is a REAL ID. REAL ID licenses are required for federal buildings and air travel. If your REAL ID license is expiring and you want to keep the REAL ID designation, you must renew in person and bring proof of identity and Social Security number.

What if I have a medical condition that affects my driving?

If you have a new medical condition or your existing condition has changed since your last renewal, you must renew in person. Bring documentation from your doctor if the MVA requests it. The MVA may restrict your license (for example, requiring corrective lenses or limiting you to daytime driving) based on your medical information.

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.