Where to renew your Connecticut license

Connecticut lets you renew your driver's license in person at a DMV office, by mail, or online through the Connecticut DMV website. Which method you can use depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time is left before it expires, and what type of license you hold.

The fastest option is usually online renewal if you are may be able to access — you can complete it from home in about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives by mail within two weeks. If you cannot renew online, the DMV office is your next option, though you will need an appointment. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut offers online renewal for most standard driver's licenses, and the process takes about 10 minutes with results mailed to you in roughly two weeks.
  • You can renew in person at a DMV office by scheduling an appointment through the Connecticut DMV website; walk-ins are not accepted.
  • Mail renewal is available but slower — you send documents to the DMV address and wait three to four weeks for your new license to arrive.
  • Your license must not be expired by more than five years, and you cannot have certain violations or medical suspensions on your record to renew by mail or online.

Online renewal through the Connecticut DMV website

To renew online, go to the Connecticut DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit or debit card). The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer a few questions about whether anything has changed since your last license was issued.

Online renewal is only available if your license has not been expired for more than five years, you have no active medical suspensions, and you have not been convicted of certain traffic violations. If the system tells you that you are not may be able to access for online renewal, you will need to renew in person or by mail instead.

After you complete the online form and pay the renewal fee, the DMV will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within 10 to 14 business days. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives.

In-person renewal at a Connecticut DMV office

To renew in person, you must first schedule an appointment through the Connecticut DMV website. The DMV does not accept walk-ins for license renewal. When you book your appointment, you will choose a location and a date that works for you.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If your address has changed since your last license, bring two documents showing your new address. Bring a payment method for the renewal fee.

At your appointment, a DMV staff member will check your documents, take a new photo, and process your renewal. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and your permanent license will be mailed to you within two weeks. The temporary license is valid for driving while you wait for the permanent one.

Mail renewal for Connecticut driver's licenses

To renew by mail, read the process for Renewal of Driver's License form from the Connecticut DMV website (form B-43). Fill it out completely and sign it. Include a copy of your current driver's license (front and back) and a check or money order for the renewal fee made out to the Connecticut DMV.

Mail your completed form, documents, and payment to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. The DMV will process your renewal and mail your new license to the address on file. This method typically takes three to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope.

Mail renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you have an active medical suspension, or if you have certain traffic convictions on your record. If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access, contact the Connecticut DMV before sending your documents.

What the renewal fee costs

The Connecticut driver's license renewal fee varies depending on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid. A standard renewal is typically less expensive than a first-time license but more than a duplicate. The exact amount changes periodically, so check the Connecticut DMV website or call the DMV before you pay to confirm the current fee.

If you are renewing online or by mail, you pay by credit card (online) or check or money order (by mail). If you are renewing in person, the DMV office accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.

How long your renewed license lasts

A renewed Connecticut driver's license is typically valid for six years from the date of issue. Your new expiration date will be printed on the front of your license. You can check the expiration date before you renew to know when you will need to renew again.

If you are over 65 years old, your license may be valid for a shorter period — check your current license or the DMV website to see what applies to you. Some medical conditions also result in shorter validity periods, which the DMV will note on your license.

What to do if your license has been expired for a long time

If your Connecticut license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must renew in person at a DMV office. The process is similar to a standard in-person renewal, but you may need to bring additional documents or take a written test, depending on how long it has been expired and your age.

Contact the Connecticut DMV or visit a DMV office to find out exactly what documents and steps you will need. Bringing your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your address is a safe starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Connecticut license before it expires?

Yes. Connecticut allows you to renew your license up to six months before the expiration date. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new license — it will still be valid for six years from the renewal date, not from the old expiration date.

What if I moved and my address changed?

If you renewed online or by mail, your new license will be mailed to the address you provided during renewal. If you are renewing in person, bring two documents showing your new address. You can also update your address at any time through the Connecticut DMV website without renewing your license.

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

If you renew online or by mail, the DMV uses your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, the DMV will take a new photo. If you want a new photo but are renewing by mail or online, you will need to renew in person instead.

What happens if I drive with an expired license?

Driving with an expired Connecticut license is against the law and can result in a fine. If your license is expiring soon, renew it before the expiration date. If it has already expired, renew it as soon as you can — the sooner you do, the sooner you are back in compliance.

How do I know if my renewal was processed?

If you renewed online, you will receive a confirmation email. If you renewed by mail, you can contact the Connecticut DMV to check the status of your process. If you renewed in person, you received a temporary paper license, so you know it was processed.