Renew your Ohio driver's license before the expiration date printed on the front
Your Ohio driver's license expires on a date the state sets based on your age and when you last renewed. You can renew starting 180 days before that expiration date. The state allows you to renew online, by mail, or in person at a deputy registrar office — but only if you meet certain conditions. If you cannot renew by one of those routes, you must visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office in person.
The expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the lower right corner. If you have lost your license or cannot find it, you can call the BMV at 614-752-7500 to ask when yours expires. Ohio does not send renewal reminders by mail or email, so the responsibility is yours to track the date.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew your Ohio driver's license starting 180 days before the expiration date printed on your card.
- Online renewal is available only if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not changed your address since your last renewal.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the BMV — processing takes two to three weeks.
- If you changed your address, your license is expired by more than one year, or you need a new photo, you must renew in person at a deputy registrar or BMV office.
- Renewing before your license expires keeps you legal to drive and avoids the need to take a written test or vision screening.
Check your license expiration date now
Look at the front of your Ohio driver's license. In the lower right corner, you will see a date labeled "Expires" — this is the last day your license is valid. If that date has already passed, your license is expired and you cannot legally drive. If the date is within the next 180 days, you are in the renewal window and can begin the process.
If you cannot locate your license, call the BMV at 614-752-7500 during business hours. Have your name, date of birth, and Social Security number ready. The BMV can tell you the exact expiration date over the phone. Do not wait until the last week — the BMV offices get crowded as the important date approaches, and mail processing takes time.
Renew online if your address has not changed
Ohio allows online renewal through the BMV website at bmv.ohio.gov. Online renewal is the fastest option and costs $33.75 for a four-year license or $67.50 for an eight-year license. You will need a valid credit or debit card to pay.
You can only renew online if all of these are true: your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have not changed your address since your last renewal, and your license is not expired by more than one year. If any of these do not explore to you, skip to the mail or in-person sections below.
When you renew online, you will use your license number and date of birth to log in. You will answer questions about your driving record and medical history. The state will mail your new license to the address on file — delivery usually takes seven to ten business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives.
Renew by mail if you cannot go in person
Mail renewal is an option if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not changed your address. You will need to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the BMV. The form is called the "process for Identification Card or Driver's License" (form DL 43) and is available on the BMV website or at any deputy registrar office.
Mail your materials to the address shown on the form. Include a check or money order for $33.75 (four-year license) or $67.50 (eight-year license). Do not send cash. Processing takes two to three weeks, and the BMV will mail your new license to the address on file. Your current license remains valid during this time.
Keep a copy of what you send, or take a photo of it before mailing. If the BMV does not receive your materials or loses them, you will have proof of what you sent. If your renewal is not processed within four weeks, call the BMV at 614-752-7500.
Renew in person at a deputy registrar or BMV office
You must renew in person if you changed your address since your last renewal, your license expired more than one year ago, you need a new photo, or your license is suspended or revoked. Deputy registrar offices are located in most counties and handle routine renewals. You can find the office nearest you on the BMV website by entering your county.
Bring your current license, proof of your new address (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. The cost is $33.75 for a four-year license or $67.50 for an eight-year license. Most deputy registrars accept cash, check, or card. You will have your photo taken and receive your new license on the spot or within a few days, depending on the office.
If you cannot renew at a deputy registrar — for example, if your license is suspended — you must go to a BMV office. BMV offices handle more complex cases and are located in each county. Wait times at BMV offices are often longer than at deputy registrars, so arrive early or check the website for current wait times before you go.
What happens if you drive with an expired license
Driving with an expired Ohio driver's license is illegal. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited and fined. The fine varies but can be up to $150 for a first offense. If your license has been expired for more than one year, the penalties are steeper.
If your license expired while you were out of state or unable to renew for a documented reason, you may be able to explain this to a judge, but it is not may provide to reduce or eliminate the fine. The safest approach is to renew before the expiration date.
Renew early if you are about to move or travel
You can renew up to 180 days before your expiration date. If you are planning to move out of state or travel internationally, renewing early gives you a license with a longer validity period and an address that will not change during your trip. This is especially useful if you are moving and want to avoid the hassle of updating your address with the BMV after you settle.
If you are moving to another state, check that state's requirements before you move. Some states require you to get a new license within a certain number of days of moving. Renewing your Ohio license before you leave does not satisfy that requirement — you will still need to get a license in your new state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Ohio driver's license if it has been expired for more than a year?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a deputy registrar or BMV office. You cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than one year. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
If you renew online, your new license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days. If you renew by mail, processing takes two to three weeks. If you renew in person at a deputy registrar, you usually receive your license on the spot or within a few days. At a BMV office, you may receive it when ready or be mailed a replacement within one to two weeks.
What if I changed my address but want to renew online?
You cannot renew online if you changed your address. You must renew by mail or in person. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. The BMV will update your address and issue a new license with the correct information.
Do I need to take a written test or vision test to renew my license?
No, not if you renew before your license expires. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you may need to take a written test and vision screening when you renew in person. Ask the deputy registrar or BMV office when you arrive to find out what is required.
What if I lost my license and need to renew?
You will need to replace your license first, which requires going to a BMV office in person. Bring proof of your identity and address. Once you have a replacement license, you can renew it using any of the methods described above, as long as you meet the conditions for that method.