Where to get a replacement license in Maryland
Maryland replaces lost or stolen driver's licenses through the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). You can get a replacement in person at any MVA office, by mail, or online through the MVA website — though the online option is fastest if you meet the requirements.
The in-person route takes about 30 minutes at an MVA office and you leave with a temporary license the same day. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days after the MVA receives your process. Online replacement is available only if your license is not expired and you have a valid email address on file with the MVA.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration handles all driver's license replacements through offices, mail, or online at mva.maryland.gov.
- You need your Social Security number, proof of Maryland residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment by check, money order, or card at an office.
- In-person replacement gives you a temporary license when ready; mail takes 7 to 10 business days; online is fastest but only works if your license is not expired.
- If your license was stolen, you can report it to police first, but the MVA does not require a police report to issue a replacement.
- A replacement license costs $70 for a standard license or $100 for a REAL ID, and the fee is the same whether you lost it or it was stolen.
What documents you need before you go
Bring your Social Security number (memorized or written down), proof of Maryland residency dated within the last 60 days, and a payment method. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or mortgage statement — anything with your name and current Maryland address.
You do not need a police report, even if your license was stolen. The MVA issues a replacement based on your identity and residency alone. If you want a police report for insurance purposes or your own records, you can file one with your local police department separately, but it is not required for the MVA.
If you are replacing a license that was lost or stolen while you were out of state, bring documentation showing you were there — a hotel receipt, airline ticket, or credit card statement. This helps the MVA understand the timeline and process your replacement faster.
Replacing your license in person at an MVA office
Find your nearest MVA office on mva.maryland.gov and check the wait times before you go — some offices post live updates. Bring your Social Security number, proof of residency, and payment. Walk in during business hours; no appointment is needed for a replacement license, though some offices offer appointment slots that may have shorter waits.
At the office, tell the clerk you need a replacement license. They will ask whether you want a standard license or a REAL ID (which costs more but works for federal travel). You will answer a few security questions to confirm your identity, pay the fee, and have your photo taken. You leave with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent card is mailed to you.
The permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before it arrives, the temporary license is valid for all purposes — traffic stops, rental cars, everything — so you can use it when ready.
Replacing your license by mail
read the process for Driver's License or Permit (Form DL-43) from mva.maryland.gov. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $70 (standard) or $100 (REAL ID), along with a photocopy of your proof of residency.
Mail the packet to the address listed on the form — currently the MVA's mail processing center in Glen Burnie. The MVA processes mail applications in the order received. Once they receive your packet, processing takes 5 to 7 business days, then the license is mailed to you, adding another 3 to 5 business days.
Mail replacement does not give you a temporary license, so you cannot drive legally during the processing period. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, go to an MVA office in person instead — that route gives you a temporary license the same day.
Replacing your license online
Online replacement is the fastest option but only works if your license is not expired and you have a valid email address on file with the MVA. Go to mva.maryland.gov, log in or create an account, and select "Replace License." You will answer security questions, confirm your address, choose standard or REAL ID, and pay by debit or credit card.
The MVA mails your replacement license within 5 to 7 business days of processing. You do not receive a temporary license with online replacement, so you cannot drive legally until the card arrives. If you need to drive before then, you will have to go to an MVA office instead.
If your license is expired, you cannot use the online replacement option — you must go in person or mail your process. Expired licenses require a new photo and security verification that the online system cannot handle.
What to do if your license was stolen
You can report a stolen license to your local police department if you want a report on file, but it is not required to get a replacement from the MVA. A police report is useful mainly for your own records or if you are concerned about identity theft — for example, if the person who took it might use your name to open accounts or get pulled over.
If you are worried about identity theft, consider placing a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) or freezing your credit. These steps prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name, even if they have your license number and Social Security number.
For the MVA replacement itself, follow the same process as a lost license. The fee is identical, and you do not need to prove the license was stolen — just that you no longer have it.
Fees and payment methods
A replacement driver's license costs $70 for a standard license or $100 for a REAL ID. Both prices are the same whether your license was lost or stolen. The fee covers the replacement card and processing.
At an MVA office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. By mail, you must send a check or money order — the MVA does not accept card payments through the mail. Online, you pay by debit or credit card only.
If you are replacing a license that expired more than two years ago, you may need to take a written test and vision test in addition to paying the replacement fee. Check with the MVA office or call 410-768-7000 to confirm whether your specific situation requires testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while I wait for my replacement license?
Only if you got a temporary license in person at an MVA office. The temporary paper license is valid for 45 days and works for all purposes — traffic stops, rental cars, flying within the U.S. If you applied by mail or online, you cannot drive legally until the permanent card arrives.
How long does it take to get a replacement license in the mail?
The MVA processes mail applications in 5 to 7 business days after receiving them, then mails the card to you. Postal delivery adds another 3 to 5 business days. Total time is roughly 10 to 14 business days from when the MVA receives your packet, not from when you mail it.
What if I need to fly before my replacement arrives?
If you got a temporary license in person at an MVA office, you can use it to fly domestically within the U.S. — it counts as a valid ID for TSA. If you applied by mail or online and do not have a temporary license, you will need to bring a passport or other federal ID to the airport instead.
Do I have to report a stolen license to the police?
No. The MVA does not require a police report to issue a replacement. You can file one with your local police department if you want a report for your records or if you are concerned about identity theft, but it is optional.
Can I get a replacement if my license is expired?
You can replace an expired license in person or by mail, but not online. In-person and mail replacements do not require a new written or vision test if your license expired less than two years ago. If it expired more than two years ago, you may need to take both tests — call the MVA at 410-768-7000 to confirm.