Where to renew and what you need to bring
You can renew your Maryland driver's license in person at any Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office, or online if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route is straightforward: bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. If your address has changed, bring the residency document showing your new address.
Online renewal through the MVA website works only if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and your vision and signature have not changed since your last renewal. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person because there is no vision test fee.
If you cannot renew online and want to avoid the MVA office, you can mail in your renewal. read the DL/ID-44 form from the MVA website, include a photocopy of your current license and proof of residency, and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is current and you have no medical restrictions, and you can complete it in 10 minutes from home.
- In-person renewal at an MVA office requires your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number.
- Mail renewal using the DL/ID-44 form takes two to three weeks but requires no office visit or vision test.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail within one to two weeks of approval, whether you renew online, in person, or by mail.
- Renewal fees vary by license type and duration, so check the MVA website for the exact cost before you go.
In-person renewal at an MVA office
Walk into any MVA office during business hours with your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You will take a new photo, pass a vision screening, and sign a new license process. The entire process usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You can check wait times on the MVA website before you go.
Bring the original proof of residency document, not a photocopy — the MVA staff member will verify it. If your address has not changed, any utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement from the last 60 days works. If you have moved, the residency document must show your new address. A cell phone bill does not count as proof of residency in Maryland.
You will pay the renewal fee at the counter. Your new license is printed on site, but you will receive it by mail within one to two weeks. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to drive when ready and cannot wait for mail delivery, some MVA offices offer a temporary paper license on the spot, though this varies by location.
Online renewal through the MVA website
Go to the Maryland MVA website and select "Renew Your License Online." You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will ask whether your vision, signature, and medical restrictions have changed since your last renewal. If you answer yes to any of these, you cannot renew online and must go to an office or mail in your renewal.
The online system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you pay, you will receive a confirmation email. Your new license is mailed to the address on file within one to two weeks. You can continue using your current license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal costs less than in-person renewal because you skip the vision test fee. However, if your license expires before your new one arrives in the mail, you technically cannot drive. To avoid this, renew at least two weeks before your expiration date. If your new license does not arrive within three weeks, contact the MVA to check the status.
Mail renewal using the DL/ID-44 form
read the DL/ID-44 form from the MVA website or pick one up at any MVA office. Fill in your name, date of birth, current address, and license number. Make a photocopy of the front and back of your current license and a photocopy of your proof of residency. Enclose both photocopies with the completed form and a check or money order for the renewal fee.
Mail the packet to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the MVA receives it. Your new license will arrive by mail one to two weeks after approval. During this time, your current license remains valid, so you can continue driving.
Mail renewal does not include a vision test, so it works only if you have no vision changes and no new medical restrictions. If either has changed, you must renew in person at an MVA office. Do not send cash through the mail — use a check or money order only.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply for a new license. This requires an in-person visit to an MVA office, a vision test, and a written knowledge test. Bring your Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a birth certificate, passport, or immigration document).
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew it using any of the three methods above. However, online renewal is not an option if your license is expired. You must renew in person or by mail. Once you renew, your new license will be valid for eight years from the date of renewal, not from the date your old license expired.
Fees and how long renewal takes
Renewal fees depend on your license type and how long you want it to be valid. A standard eight-year renewal costs one amount; a four-year renewal costs less. Check the MVA website for the exact current fee, as prices change. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at an MVA office. Online and mail renewal accept checks, money orders, or credit cards only.
Timeline varies by method. Online renewal is when ready — your confirmation is when ready, and your new license arrives in one to two weeks. In-person renewal takes 30 to 60 minutes in the office, then one to two weeks for mail delivery. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks for processing, then one to two weeks for delivery, so plan for four to five weeks total.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, your current license remains valid until it expires. If you are cutting it close to your expiration date, renew at least three weeks early to give the mail time to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have changed my name?
Yes, but you must do it in person at an MVA office. Bring your current license, proof of your name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of residency. You cannot renew by mail or online if your name has changed.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew a lost license — you must reapply for a replacement. Go to an MVA office with your Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship. You will pay a replacement fee and take a new photo and vision test. This is treated as a new process, not a renewal.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
Appointments are not required at most MVA offices, but you can schedule one online to reduce wait time. Walk-ins are accepted, but during busy hours you may wait 45 minutes to an hour. Check the MVA website to see which offices near you accept appointments and current wait times.
What if my new license arrives damaged or with wrong information?
Contact the MVA when ready with your license number and the issue. They will issue a replacement at no charge if the error is theirs. Bring the damaged license to an MVA office or mail it back with a letter explaining the problem.
Can I renew my license if I am out of state?
Yes, you can renew by mail or online if you meet the online requirements. If you need to renew in person, you must visit an MVA office in Maryland. Some military personnel stationed overseas may be able to renew through a special process — contact the MVA to ask about your specific situation.