What you need to do to renew in Maine

Maine renews driver's licenses by mail or in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. You do not have to renew in person unless your license has been expired for more than three years, you need a new photo, or you are changing your name or address. Most people can complete the entire process without visiting an office.

Your license is valid for eight years from the date it was issued. Maine will send you a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration. That notice tells you which method you can use and includes a form you can mail back. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew — you just need to know your license number and have the required documents ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail renewal is available if your license expired less than three years ago and you have not changed your name or address since it was issued.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and a check or money order for the renewal fee.
  • The renewal fee is $35 for an eight-year license, and processing by mail takes two to three weeks after Maine receives your materials.
  • If you need to renew in person, you must visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
  • You can find your nearest BMV office and check its hours on the Maine Secretary of State website.

Renewing by mail: what to send and where

To renew by mail, gather your current Maine driver's license, proof of residency dated within 60 days of when you mail the form, and payment. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. A cell phone bill does not count.

The renewal fee is $35 for an eight-year license. Pay by check or money order made out to "State of Maine." Do not send cash. Include the renewal form that came with your notice, or read it from the Maine Secretary of State website if you did not receive a notice.

Mail everything to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 101 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine 04330. Processing takes two to three weeks after Maine receives your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address on your process. If you are moving soon, update your address before you mail the renewal so the license goes to the right place.

Renewing in person at a BMV office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than three years ago, you need a new photo, or your name or address has changed since your license was issued. You will also need to renew in person if you are changing your license class or adding endorsements.

Bring your current license, proof of residency (dated within 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number. Acceptable proof of Social Security number includes your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a 1099 form. A birth certificate does not count as proof of Social Security number.

Visit any Bureau of Motor Vehicles office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though some have different schedules. You can find your nearest office and check its hours on the Maine Secretary of State website. Bring cash, check, or debit card for the $35 fee. In-person renewal is usually completed the same day, and you will receive a temporary license to use until your permanent one arrives by mail.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than three years

If your license expired more than three years ago, you cannot renew by mail. You must visit a BMV office in person and bring the same documents as any in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.

The fee is still $35 for an eight-year license. The office will take a new photo and issue you a temporary license on the spot. Your permanent license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If you have any traffic violations or unpaid fines, the BMV will flag those during the renewal process, and you may need to resolve them before your license is issued.

Changing your name or address during renewal

If you have changed your name since your license was issued, you must renew in person and bring legal proof of the name change. Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. A certified copy is best, but the BMV will accept originals.

If you are only changing your address and your license is not expired, you can update your address without renewing. Visit any BMV office or mail a change-of-address form to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. If you are renewing and changing your address at the same time, include the new address on your renewal form or tell the office staff when you arrive.

Fees and payment methods

The renewal fee for an eight-year Maine driver's license is $35. If you are renewing by mail, pay by check or money order. If you are renewing in person, the BMV accepts cash, check, and debit card. Credit cards are not accepted at most offices, so call ahead if you want to confirm what your local office takes.

There are no additional fees for address changes or name changes during renewal. If you need a duplicate license or a replacement for a lost or damaged license, that is a separate transaction with its own fee, and you would handle it outside the renewal process.

How long renewal takes and when your new license arrives

By mail, processing takes two to three weeks after the BMV receives your packet. Your new license arrives by mail at the address you provided on the form. In person, you receive a temporary license the same day and your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

Your temporary license is valid for 30 days and works just like your regular license for driving. If your permanent license does not arrive within four weeks of your in-person visit, or six weeks of mailing your renewal, contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 207-624-9000 to check the status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Maine does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail or in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. Mail renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access, since you do not have to travel to an office.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew by mail or in person without the notice. If you are renewing by mail, read the renewal form from the Maine Secretary of State website. You will need your license number, which is printed on your current license. If you cannot find your license number, visit a BMV office and staff can look it up for you.

Do I need to take a new photo for renewal?

Only if your license expired more than three years ago, you are renewing in person for another reason, or you request a new photo. If you are renewing by mail and your license is not expired, the BMV uses your existing photo. If you want a new photo during mail renewal, you must renew in person instead.

What if my address is different on my lease than on my license?

Use the address on your lease as proof of residency, and update your license to match during renewal. If you are renewing by mail, write your new address on the renewal form. If you are renewing in person, tell the office staff your new address and they will update it in the system.

Can someone else mail in my renewal for me?

Yes. You do not have to mail it yourself. A family member or friend can mail your renewal packet as long as all your documents and payment are included. Make sure your signature is on the renewal form before you give it to them.