Where to renew your Maryland driver's license
You can renew your Maryland driver's license in person at any Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office, or online through the MVA website if you meet certain conditions. The online option is faster — you can complete it from home in about 10 minutes — but it is only open to people whose licenses are not expired and who do not need to update their address, name, or other personal information.
If your license has already expired, you cannot use the online renewal. You must go to an MVA office in person. The same applies if you need to change your address, correct your name, or update your photo. Maryland has 26 MVA offices across the state; you can visit any one — you do not have to go to the office closest to where you live.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $109, but only works if your license is still valid and your personal information has not changed.
- In-person renewal at an MVA office is required if your license has expired, or if you need to update your address, name, photo, or other details.
- Bring your current license, proof of residency (like a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number when you renew in person.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you renew; you can use your receipt as a temporary license until it arrives.
- Maryland licenses are valid for five years from the date you renew, except for certain medical conditions that may require shorter validity periods.
Renewing online through the MVA website
To renew online, go to the Maryland MVA 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 card, debit card, or electronic check). The fee is $109 for a five-year renewal.
The system will ask you to confirm your personal information and answer a few security questions to verify your identity. Once you submit your renewal, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can print your confirmation page and use it as a temporary license if you need to drive before your new card arrives.
Online renewal is not available if your license expired more than two years ago, or if you have certain medical conditions that require MVA review. If you fall into either category, you must renew in person.
Renewing in person at an MVA office
Walk in during office hours — most MVA offices do not take appointments for license renewal, though some locations offer appointment slots during certain hours. You can check the MVA website to see which offices near you accept appointments and when they are available. Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, tax return, or W-2), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days).
The renewal fee is $109 for a five-year license. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The MVA will take a new photo and issue you a receipt. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days; use your receipt as a temporary license in the meantime.
Wait times at MVA offices vary by location and time of day. Mornings on weekdays tend to be less crowded than afternoons or weekends. Some offices are busier than others; the MVA website shows real-time wait times at each location.
What documents you need
For in-person renewal, bring three things: your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Your Social Security proof can be your actual card, a tax return, a W-2, or a Social Security statement from ssa.gov. Your address proof must be dated within the last 60 days and can be a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, insurance bill, or government mail.
If you are renewing online, you do not need to bring documents in person, but you will need to have your current license and Social Security number available when you start the process.
If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring a document proving the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have changed your address and want it updated on your new license, the proof of residency serves that purpose.
When your new license arrives and how to use it
Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file at the MVA within 7 to 10 business days after you renew. During that time, you can drive using your receipt from the renewal (in person) or your confirmation page (online). Police will recognize both as valid temporary licenses.
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the MVA. If you need to drive before it arrives and do not have your receipt or confirmation page, you can request a temporary license at any MVA office. The temporary license is valid for 45 days.
Your renewed license is valid for five years from the date you renew it. The expiration date will be printed on your new card. You can renew again anytime during the 60 days before your license expires.
Renewing if your license has been expired for more than two years
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew online. You must go to an MVA office in person and bring the same documents as any other in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address.
The MVA will treat your renewal as a standard in-person transaction. You will pay the $109 renewal fee, have a new photo taken, and receive a receipt. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The only difference from a standard renewal is that you must do it in person rather than online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
No. The MVA will not issue a renewed license if you have outstanding traffic violations, unpaid fines, or child support arrears. You must resolve these issues first. Contact the court that issued the ticket or the relevant agency to find out what you owe and how to pay it.
What if my address has changed since my last license?
If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address (dated within 60 days) and the MVA will update it automatically. If you renew online, your address will not change — you can only update it in person at an MVA office or by mail through a separate address-change form.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew?
Yes. The MVA takes a new photo at every renewal, whether you renew in person or online. If you renew online, the system uses your current license photo until your new license arrives, but your new card will have a fresh photo taken from your online submission.
What if I lost my license before it expired?
If your license is lost or stolen, you need a replacement, not a renewal. That is a different process handled at MVA offices. Bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of address, and the MVA will issue a replacement card with the same expiration date as your original license.
Can I renew my license by mail?
No. Maryland does not offer mail-in renewal. Your only options are online (if you meet the requirements) or in person at an MVA office.