Renew your Maryland driver's license online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office
Maryland allows you to renew your driver's license through three routes: online at the MVA website, by mail using a renewal form, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Administration office. Which route you can use depends on your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your photo or address. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office.
Your license is valid for eight years from the issue date. You can begin the renewal process up to one year before your expiration date, which gives you time to plan. If your license has already expired, you can still renew using the same methods, though in-person renewal may be required if it expired more than two years ago.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the MVA website takes about 10 minutes and costs $109 for an eight-year license, with no office visit required.
- Mail renewal uses the renewal notice you receive from the MVA and takes two to three weeks from the time the MVA receives your form.
- In-person renewal at an MVA office is necessary if your license expired more than two years ago or if you need a new photo.
- You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit or debit card for online, check or money order for mail).
- Your new license will be mailed to the address on file, usually arriving within 7 to 10 business days after processing.
Renewing online through the MVA website
Online renewal is the fastest and most direct route if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago. Go to the Maryland MVA website and select the renewal option. You will need your current license number, date of birth, Social Security number, and the last four digits of your phone number to verify your identity.
The system will confirm your current information on file and ask whether you want to keep your photo or request a new one. If you keep your existing photo, the renewal takes about 10 minutes. If you request a new photo, you will be directed to schedule an appointment at an MVA office to have it taken, which adds time to the process. Payment is by credit or debit card only, and the fee is $109 for an eight-year license.
After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address currently on file with the MVA. If you need to change your address, you can do so during the online renewal process, and the new address will print on your license.
Renewing by mail with the renewal notice
The MVA mails a renewal notice to your address on file about 60 days before your license expires. This notice includes a form you can fill out and mail back with payment. Mail renewal works only if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago.
Complete the renewal form, sign it, and enclose a check or money order for $109 (payable to the Motor Vehicle Administration). Mail the form and payment to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash. The MVA typically processes mail renewals within two to three weeks of receiving them, though processing time can vary during busy periods.
If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can request one from the MVA website or call the MVA at 410-787-7758. You can also read the renewal form directly from the website if you prefer not to wait for the notice to arrive. Once the MVA processes your renewal, your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
Renewing in person at an MVA office
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you want to make changes that cannot be done online or by mail (such as updating your name or correcting your vision correction status). You will also need to renew in person if you are upgrading your license class or adding endorsements.
Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If your name has changed, bring a document showing the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Payment is $109 for an eight-year license, and the MVA accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.
You can walk into any MVA office during business hours, but wait times vary. To reduce wait time, you can schedule an appointment through the MVA website. During your visit, you will have your photo taken, answer questions about your vision and medical history, and pay the renewal fee. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than two years
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit an MVA office in person. Bring the same documents you would bring for any in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address.
The in-person process is the same as a standard renewal, except the MVA will require you to pass a vision test and may ask additional questions about your driving history. You will have a new photo taken. The fee remains $109 for an eight-year license. After your visit, your new license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
Updating your address or other information during renewal
If you are renewing online, you can update your address during the process. The new address will print on your renewed license. If you are renewing by mail, you can write your new address on the renewal form, and it will be updated in the system.
If you need to change information other than your address — such as your name, gender marker, or medical conditions — you must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring documentation of the change (such as a marriage certificate for a name change or a court order for a gender marker change). The renewal fee is the same, but the process takes longer because the MVA must verify the change.
Tracking your renewed license and what to do if it does not arrive
After you renew, the MVA will mail your new license to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to use your old license until the new one arrives, even if the old one has expired.
If your new license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the MVA at 410-787-7758 or through the website to report it. Have your confirmation number ready if you renewed online. The MVA can check the status of your license and reissue it if necessary. If your license was lost or stolen in the mail, the MVA may issue a replacement at no additional charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired while I was out of state?
Yes. Maryland allows you to renew by mail or online even if you were out of state when it expired, as long as it has not been expired for more than two years. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at an MVA office.
What if I need to change my name during renewal?
You must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring your current license and a document showing your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The MVA will verify the change and issue your new license with the updated name.
Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?
No. If you renew online or by mail, you can keep your existing photo. If you renew in person or request a new photo during online renewal, you will have a new photo taken. A new photo is required if your license expired more than two years ago.
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
Yes. Unpaid traffic tickets do not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if you have an outstanding suspension or revocation on your driving record, you cannot renew until that is resolved. Contact the MVA or the court that issued the suspension to find out how to clear it.
How much does it cost to renew my license?
The fee is $109 for an eight-year license. This is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you need to add a photo during online renewal, there is no additional charge — you straightforward schedule an office visit to have it taken.