What you need to do to renew in Massachusetts
Massachusetts lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Registry of Motor Vehicles office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access — you can complete it in about 15 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you can't renew online, you'll need to visit a Registry office or mail in a paper form, both of which take longer.
Your may be able to access depends on your license type, how long it's been since you last renewed, and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most standard licenses can be renewed online, but commercial licenses, licenses with medical restrictions, and licenses you haven't held for at least five years require an in-person visit.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through mass.gov/rmv takes about 15 minutes and costs $50 for a five-year license or $100 for a ten-year license.
- You can renew online only if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you haven't changed your address since your last renewal.
- If you're not may be able to access for online renewal, you can mail in Form DL-44 with your current license and payment, or visit a Registry office in person.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days for online renewal, or 2 to 3 weeks for mail renewal.
- Registry offices are open Monday through Friday, and some locations offer Saturday hours — check mass.gov/rmv to find your nearest office and current wait times.
Renewing online through the Massachusetts Registry website
Go to mass.gov/rmv and select "Renew Your License Online" from the homepage. You'll need your current Massachusetts driver's license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity using these details and pull up your existing record.
Review your personal information on the screen — name, address, date of birth, and any medical restrictions. If everything is correct, you can proceed to payment. Massachusetts accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. A five-year license costs $50; a ten-year license costs $100. After you pay, you'll receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
You cannot renew online if your license is already expired, if you have medical restrictions or conditions listed on your current license, if you've moved since your last renewal, or if your license is a commercial license. You also cannot renew online if you've never held a Massachusetts license before or if it's been more than 30 years since you last renewed. In any of these cases, you'll need to renew by mail or in person.
Renewing by mail with Form DL-44
read Form DL-44 from mass.gov/rmv or pick one up at any Registry office. Fill in your name, date of birth, address, and license number. Include your current license with the form, along with a check or money order for $50 (five-year) or $100 (ten-year) made payable to "Registrar of Motor Vehicles."
Mail the completed form, your license, and payment to the address listed on the form — typically the Registry office in Boston, though the website will confirm the current mailing address. Do not mail cash. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the Registry receives your envelope, so mail your renewal at least a month before your license expires if you want to avoid a gap.
Mail renewal works for most standard licenses, but not for commercial licenses, licenses with medical restrictions, or licenses you haven't held for at least five years. If you're unsure whether you can renew by mail, call the Registry at 857-368-8000 before you send anything in.
Renewing in person at a Registry office
Bring your current Massachusetts driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and payment in cash, check, or card. If you've moved since your last renewal, also bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
Find your nearest Registry office and its hours at mass.gov/rmv. Many offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some have Saturday hours. Check the website for current wait times before you go — some offices post real-time estimates. You can also schedule an appointment online at mass.gov/rmv, which reserves a time slot and typically reduces your wait to 15 to 30 minutes.
At the office, you'll check in, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee. The Registry will issue you a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 30 days. Your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal is required if you have medical restrictions, if you hold a commercial license, or if you haven't held a Massachusetts license for at least five years.
What happens if your license is already expired
You cannot renew online if your license has already expired. You must renew by mail or in person. If you're renewing in person, bring the same documents listed above. If you're renewing by mail, follow the same process but note that the Registry may take longer to process an expired license — call 857-368-8000 to confirm the current timeline.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Massachusetts, even if you've mailed in your renewal or scheduled an appointment. If you're stopped by police, you can show them your confirmation number from your online renewal or your mailed form, but this does not may provide you won't be cited. Renew as soon as possible to avoid this risk.
Updating your address during renewal
If you've moved since your last renewal, you must update your address. You cannot do this online — you'll need to renew by mail or in person. When you renew in person, bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). The Registry will update your address and issue your new license with the correct information.
If you're renewing by mail, write your new address clearly on Form DL-44 and include proof of the address change. The Registry will process the address update along with your renewal. Do not attempt to change your address online through a separate transaction — it will not work for renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
Yes, but you must renew in person or by mail — online renewal is not available for licenses expired more than 30 days. Bring your expired license to a Registry office, or mail it with Form DL-44. The Registry will process your renewal even if your license has been expired for years.
How long does the temporary paper license last?
The temporary license issued at a Registry office is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it doesn't arrive within that window, call 857-368-8000 to check the status.
What if I need my license before the mail renewal arrives?
Renew in person at a Registry office. You'll receive a temporary paper license when ready that's valid for 30 days, giving you time for your permanent license to arrive by mail. Scheduling an appointment online reduces wait times significantly.
Do I need a new photo if I renew online?
No. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a Registry office.
What if my name has changed since my last renewal?
You cannot renew online if your name has changed. Renew in person at a Registry office and bring a document showing your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Registry will update your name and issue a new license with the correct information.