How to Renew Your Massachusetts Driver's License

Renewing your Massachusetts license online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Massachusetts driver's license through three routes: online at mass.gov/rmv, by mail using the renewal form the RMV sends you, or in person at an RMV office. Online renewal is fastest and takes about 10 minutes if your license is not expiring within 30 days. By mail takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at an RMV office takes one to two hours depending on wait times, but you leave with your new license the same day.

Which route you can use depends on your license type and how soon it expires. Standard licenses can renew online or by mail up to one year before expiration. Commercial licenses and licenses for people over 70 must renew in person. If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use the online or mail route — you must go to an RMV office and explore as if for the first time.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal at mass.gov/rmv works for standard licenses and takes about 10 minutes, but only if your license is not expiring within 30 days.
Mail renewal uses the form the RMV sends to your address on file and takes two to three weeks from when you mail it back.
In-person renewal at an RMV office is required for commercial licenses, licenses for people over 70, and licenses expired more than five years ago.
You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or checking account) for online or mail renewal.
Your new license will be mailed to you after online or mail renewal; in-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license when ready and the plastic card within two weeks.

Renewing online through mass.gov/rmv

Go to mass.gov/rmv and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and pull up your current information. Review your name, address, and other details — if anything is wrong, you cannot fix it online and must renew in person instead.

Once you confirm your information is correct, you will answer questions about medical conditions, organ donation, and whether you want to register as a voter. You can then choose to keep your current address or update it. Pay the renewal fee using a credit card, debit card, or checking account. The fee for a standard five-year renewal is $50; a ten-year renewal is $100. After payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail within two weeks.

Online renewal is not available if your license expires within 30 days, if you need to change your name or address, if you have medical restrictions that need updating, or if you are renewing a commercial license. In those cases, use mail or in-person renewal.

Renewing by mail with the RMV form

The RMV mails a renewal form to the address on your current license about 60 days before expiration. The form is titled "process for Renewal of License" and includes your current information pre-filled. Check that your name, address, and date of birth are correct. If any detail is wrong, do not mail the form back — go to an RMV office in person instead, because the mail process cannot fix errors.

Complete the form by signing and dating it, then include a check or money order for the renewal fee payable to "Registrar of Motor Vehicles." The fee is $50 for a five-year renewal or $100 for a ten-year renewal. Mail the form and payment to the address printed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of proof of residency if you have moved since your last renewal — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works.

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the RMV receives your form. Your new license will arrive by mail. If you do not receive it within four weeks of mailing, contact the RMV at 617-351-4500 to check the status. If you did not receive the renewal form in the mail, you can read it from mass.gov/rmv or pick one up at any RMV office.

Renewing in person at an RMV office

You must renew in person if you hold a commercial license, if you are over 70, if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your name or address, or if you want to update medical information. Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days), and a valid payment method. If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.

Go to mass.gov/rmv and use the "Find an RMV Office" tool to locate the office nearest you and check current wait times. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some are open Saturday mornings. Arrive early if possible — wait times are usually shortest in the morning. You do not need an appointment for license renewal at most offices, but some offices now offer appointment slots that you can book online.

At the office, take a number and wait to be called. Tell the clerk you are renewing your license. They will review your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to sign. You will pay the renewal fee by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your plastic license will arrive by mail within two weeks.

What happens if your license has already expired

If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can still renew it using the online, mail, or in-person route — the process is the same. If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew. Instead, you must explore for a new license as if you were getting one for the first time. This requires an in-person visit to an RMV office, a written knowledge test, and a road test. You will also need to bring proof of citizenship or legal residency, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.

If your license expired between one and five years ago and you want to drive before you renew, you can request a temporary permit at an RMV office that allows you to drive for 30 days while your renewal is being processed. Bring your expired license and proof of residency.

Updating your address or name during renewal

If you have moved, you can update your address during online renewal by entering your new address before you pay. If you are renewing by mail, you cannot change your address on the form — you must renew in person instead. If you are renewing in person, bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days) and tell the clerk you want to update it.

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you cannot change it online or by mail. You must renew in person and bring the legal document proving the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The clerk will update your name in the system and issue a new license with your current name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew online or by mail up to one year before your license expires. In-person renewal can happen at any time. Renewing early does not extend your expiration date — your new license will expire five or ten years from your current expiration date, not from the renewal date.

What if I lost my renewal form in the mail?

read the renewal form from mass.gov/rmv or pick one up at any RMV office. Fill it out and mail it back with your payment. You can also renew online if your license is not expiring within 30 days, or go to an RMV office in person.

How long does the temporary paper license last?

The temporary paper license you receive at an RMV office is valid for 30 days. Your plastic license will arrive by mail within two weeks. If it does not arrive within four weeks, call the RMV at 617-351-4500.

Do I need an eye exam to renew?

No eye exam is required for standard license renewal. However, if you have medical restrictions on your license or if you are over 70, the RMV may require you to pass a vision screening at an RMV office. Ask when you call or visit.

What if my address on file is wrong and I did not receive the renewal form?

Contact the RMV at 617-351-4500 to update your address and request a new renewal form. You can also go to an RMV office in person with proof of your correct address and renew there. If you want to renew online, you will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.