How to renew your Massachusetts driver's license
You can renew your Massachusetts driver's license in person at a Registry of Motor Vehicles branch, by mail, or online through the RMV's website — but not all methods work for every license type. Most standard licenses can be renewed online or by mail if you meet certain conditions. If your license is suspended, if you need to change your address, or if your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person.
The fastest route for most people is online renewal through mass.gov/rmv, which takes about 15 minutes and produces a temporary digital license you can use when ready. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a branch office can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how busy the location is, but it handles situations the other methods cannot.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through mass.gov/rmv is available for most standard licenses and produces a temporary digital license within minutes, with your physical card arriving by mail in one to two weeks.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed process, and payment to the RMV, and takes two to three weeks total.
- In-person renewal at a Registry branch is required if your license is suspended, expired for more than five years, or if you need to change your address or legal name.
- Your Massachusetts license renewal fee depends on how long you renew it for — typically $50 for a five-year renewal or $100 for a ten-year renewal.
- You will need your Social Security number, current license number, and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or check for mail renewal) to complete any renewal method.
Online renewal through the RMV website
Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is in good standing and you have not changed your address or legal name. Go to mass.gov/rmv and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee.
The system will ask you to confirm your personal information, choose your renewal length (five or ten years), and pay the fee. Once you complete these steps, the RMV issues a temporary digital license that appears in your phone's wallet app or as a downloadable PDF. This temporary license is valid when ready and works at most places that accept a physical license — banks, airports, and retailers. Your permanent plastic card arrives by mail in one to two weeks.
Online renewal is not available if your license is suspended, revoked, or restricted; if you need to change your address; if you need to update your name; or if your license expired more than five years ago. If any of these explore to you, use mail or in-person renewal instead.
Mail renewal by sending documents to the RMV
Mail renewal works for most standard licenses and takes two to three weeks from the time the RMV receives your envelope. You will need to complete the process form DL 44, which you can read from mass.gov/rmv or request by calling the RMV at 857-368-8000. Fill out the form, sign it, and include your current driver's license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a return envelope with postage.
Mail your package to the address listed on the RMV website — the address changes depending on which type of license you hold, so check before you send anything. The RMV will process your renewal and mail your new license to the address on file. If you need to change your address, you cannot use mail renewal; you must renew in person or update your address online first, then renew online.
Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but does not require you to visit a branch office. However, you will not have a valid temporary license during the processing period, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new card arrives.
In-person renewal at a Registry branch
Renew in person at any Registry of Motor Vehicles branch if your license is suspended, if it expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your address or legal name, or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, tax return, or W-2), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). Bring a credit card, debit card, or checkbook to pay the renewal fee.
Wait times at Registry branches vary widely. Some locations are busier than others, and times change throughout the day and week. The RMV website shows current wait times for each branch, updated every 15 minutes. You can also make an appointment online at mass.gov/rmv to skip the walk-in line, though appointment slots fill up quickly during peak renewal periods.
When you arrive, check in at the information desk or kiosk, take a number, and wait to be called. A clerk will review your documents, take a new photo, and process your renewal. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you, which usually takes one to two weeks.
What documents and fees you need
For any renewal method, you will need your current Massachusetts driver's license and your Social Security number. For in-person renewal, you also need proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, tax return, or W-2) and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days).
The renewal fee is $50 for a five-year license or $100 for a ten-year license. You pay by credit card or debit card for online renewal, by check or money order for mail renewal, or by credit card, debit card, or check for in-person renewal. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher and in-person renewal is required.
If you are renewing a Real ID-compliant license, the fee is the same, but you may need to provide additional documents proving your identity and residency. Check mass.gov/rmv before you renew to see whether your current license is Real ID-compliant and what documents you will need if you want to upgrade.
Timeline: when to expect your new license
Online renewal produces a temporary digital license within minutes, valid when ready. Your physical card arrives by mail in one to two weeks. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks total from the time the RMV receives your envelope. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 30 days, and your plastic card arrives by mail in one to two weeks.
If you need to drive before your new card arrives, use the temporary digital license (online renewal) or temporary paper license (in-person renewal). Do not drive with an expired license. If your current license is already expired and you cannot renew online or by mail, you must renew in person before you drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is already expired?
If your license expired less than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail using the same process as a current license. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Registry branch and may need to retake the written and road tests depending on how long it has been expired. Call the RMV at 857-368-8000 to confirm what you need before you visit.
What if I moved and need to change my address?
You cannot renew by mail if you need to change your address. Renew online through mass.gov/rmv (which allows address changes during renewal) or renew in person at a Registry branch. If you prefer to update your address separately before renewing, you can do that online at mass.gov/rmv, then renew online or by mail afterward.
Do I need a Real ID license to renew?
No. Your current license type (Real ID or standard) will be renewed as-is unless you choose to upgrade. If you want to upgrade to Real ID during renewal, you will need additional documents proving your identity and residency. The fee is the same. Check mass.gov/rmv for the full list of documents Real ID requires.
How do I check the wait time at a Registry branch before I go?
The RMV website at mass.gov/rmv shows current wait times for each branch, updated every 15 minutes. You can also make an appointment online to skip the walk-in line. Appointments are free and usually available within a few days, though they fill up faster during peak renewal periods.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew online or by mail if you do not have your current license. You must go to a Registry branch in person and request a replacement license. Bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of address. The process is similar to renewal, and you will receive a temporary paper license and a new plastic card by mail.