How to renew your Maryland driver's license
You can renew your Maryland driver's license in person at a Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office, by mail, or online through the MVA website — but not all renewal types work with every method. If your license is still valid or expired less than one year ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person and will need to pass a vision test. The online and mail routes take about two weeks; in-person renewal is usually completed the same day.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. You do not have to wait for it to arrive — you can renew up to one year before expiration — but the notice includes your renewal fee, which varies based on how long you want the new license to be valid (typically three, five, or eight years).
Key Takeaways
- Maryland lets you renew online or by mail if your license is current or expired less than one year, but you must visit an MVA office if it has been expired longer than that.
- Online renewal takes about two weeks and costs less than in-person renewal because you do not pay for a new photo or physical card production.
- Mail renewal requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and a check or money order, and takes about three weeks total.
- In-person renewal at an MVA office requires a vision test, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number, and you receive your new license the same day.
- You can renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait for the renewal notice to arrive.
Renewing online through the MVA website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Go to the Maryland MVA website, select "Renew Your License," and create or log into your MVA account. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will ask you to confirm your address and choose how long you want your new license to be valid.
You cannot change your address, name, or other personal information online — if any of those details are wrong, you must renew in person. You also cannot renew online if you need a Real ID-compliant license for the first time, because that requires proof of citizenship or legal residency in person. Once you submit your process and payment, the MVA mails your new license to the address on file, which takes about two weeks.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal works the same way as online renewal in terms of may be able to access — your license must be current or expired less than one year — but you handle the paperwork yourself. Request the renewal form (Form DL 43) from the MVA website or call 410-787-7758, or wait for your renewal notice to arrive, which includes the form. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it with your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a copy of proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works).
Mail your packet to the address listed on the form. The MVA processes mail renewals in the order they arrive, which typically takes three weeks from the date they receive your packet. You will not receive a temporary license while you wait, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new license arrives. Like online renewal, you cannot change your address or other personal details by mail — those changes require an in-person visit.
Renewing in person at an MVA office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than one year ago, if you need to change your address or name, or if you are explore for Real ID for the first time. Bring your current license (or expired license if yours is more than one year old), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). You will also need to pass a vision test at the office.
Visit an MVA office during business hours — most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You can check wait times and make an appointment on the MVA website, which can save you time. Bring cash or a debit or credit card for the renewal fee. You will receive your new license the same day, printed on the spot, though the card itself may take a few days to arrive by mail if the office is out of stock.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than a year
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use online or mail renewal — you must visit an MVA office in person. You will need to pass a vision test and bring the same documents as any in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. The fee is the same as a regular renewal, not a penalty fee, but the process takes longer because the vision test is required.
If you have been driving with an expired license, the MVA does not penalize you during renewal, but you are technically driving without a valid license. Renew as soon as you can to avoid a traffic stop or other complications.
Real ID and what it means for renewal
Maryland's standard driver's license is not Real ID-compliant, which means it cannot be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. If you want a Real ID-compliant license, you must explore in person at an MVA office and bring proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport, birth certificate, or immigration documents). You cannot upgrade to Real ID by mail or online.
If you are renewing a standard license and do not need Real ID, you can continue using the online or mail method. Real ID licenses cost more and are valid for eight years instead of the standard five, so factor that into your decision when you renew.
Fees and how long each license is valid
Renewal fees depend on how long you want your new license to be valid and whether you are renewing in person or online. Online and mail renewals are cheaper because you keep your current photo. In-person renewals cost more because you get a new photo and a new physical card. The MVA website lists current fees for each option and validity period (typically three, five, or eight years). You choose the validity period when you renew, so you can pick a shorter period if you expect your information to change soon.
Your renewal notice, which arrives about 60 days before expiration, includes the exact fee for your situation. If you lose the notice, you can find the current fee on the MVA website or call 410-787-7758.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have moved to a different address?
You can renew by mail or online only if your address has not changed. If you have moved, you must visit an MVA office in person to update your address during renewal. Bring proof of your new residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days) along with your other documents.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it — you must replace it first. A replacement is different from a renewal and requires an in-person visit to an MVA office. You will need proof of identity and residency, and the replacement fee is separate from the renewal fee.
How long does it take to get my license in the mail after I renew online?
Online renewal takes about two weeks from the date you submit your process. Mail renewal takes about three weeks from the date the MVA receives your packet. In-person renewal is completed the same day, though you may receive a temporary paper license if the office is out of physical cards.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person at an MVA office?
Appointments are not required, but the MVA website lets you schedule one, which can reduce your wait time significantly. You can also walk in without an appointment, but you may wait longer, especially during peak hours like lunch time or late afternoon.
What if my renewal notice has the wrong fee listed?
Call the MVA at 410-787-7758 to confirm the correct fee before you mail your renewal or pay online. Fees can change, and your notice may have been printed before a recent fee change. The MVA website also lists current fees for each renewal type and validity period.