Maryland driver's licenses renew every five years, and you can do it online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office
Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) lets you renew your license without visiting an office if you meet certain conditions. The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs $109 for a five-year license. If you cannot renew online, you can mail in your renewal or go to an MVA office in person — each route has different requirements and timelines.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains your renewal code, which you need to start an online renewal. If you have not received it by the time your license expires, you can still renew, but you will need to provide additional information or visit an office.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the MVA website works only if your address has not changed, you have no medical restrictions, and your license is not suspended or revoked.
- The renewal notice mailed to you 60 days before expiration contains the renewal code you need to start the online process.
- Mail-in renewal requires a completed form, payment, and a new photo, which you can submit by mail but takes longer than online renewal.
- If you cannot renew online or by mail, you must visit an MVA office in person, and you should schedule an appointment ahead of time to avoid long waits.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after online or mail renewal; in-person renewals issue a temporary license on the spot.
When you can renew online through the MVA website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet all the conditions. You can renew online if your current address matches the one on file with the MVA, you have no medical restrictions or vision corrections that require testing, and your license is not suspended, revoked, or under an administrative hold.
Go to the MVA website (mva.maryland.gov), select "Renew Your License Online," and enter your driver's license number and renewal code from your notice. You will answer questions about whether your address, medical status, and physical description have changed. If you answer no to all of them, you can pay the $109 renewal fee by credit or debit card and submit. The system will confirm your renewal when ready, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you have moved, changed your name, or have new medical restrictions, the online system will stop and direct you to renew by mail or in person instead. Do not ignore this — attempting to renew online when you do not meet the conditions will not process your renewal.
Renewing by mail when online is not an option
Mail-in renewal works if you cannot or do not want to renew online. You will need to complete Form DL-43 (process for Maryland Driver's License Renewal), provide a new photo, and include payment. The form is available on the MVA website or at any MVA office.
For the photo, you can either submit a new passport-style photo (2x2 inches, taken within the last 30 days) or use the MVA's photo service. If you use the MVA photo service, you pay an additional $10 and the MVA will take and include your photo with your renewal. Mail your completed form, payment ($109 for the license, plus $10 if using MVA photo service), and photo to the address listed on the form.
Mail-in renewals take 4 to 6 weeks from the time the MVA receives your packet. There is no tracking system, so you cannot check the status online. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you can print a temporary renewal notice from the MVA website to carry with you, though not all officers will accept it. For this reason, mail-in renewal works best if you start at least 8 weeks before your expiration date.
In-person renewal at an MVA office
If you need to renew in person, you can visit any MVA office in Maryland. Bring your current driver's license, proof of Maryland residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $109. If your address has changed, bring both your old and new proof of residency.
The MVA office will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Your new license arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Walk-in service is available, but wait times vary by location and time of day. To avoid long waits, schedule an appointment through the MVA website before you go.
In-person renewal is required if your license is suspended or revoked, if you have medical restrictions that need to be reviewed, or if you have not renewed in more than 15 years. It is also the only option if you cannot provide the information needed for online or mail renewal.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
If your license expires while your renewal is being processed, you are still legally allowed to drive as long as your renewal process is pending. Carry proof of your renewal — either your renewal notice, a temporary license from an MVA office, or a printed temporary renewal notice from the MVA website — along with your expired license.
Police officers have discretion about whether to accept an expired license with proof of pending renewal. To avoid this uncertainty, renew at least 30 days before your expiration date. If you are stopped and your renewal has not yet been processed, explain that you have a pending renewal and show your proof. Most officers will not cite you, but it is not may provide.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A five-year Maryland driver's license renewal costs $109. If you renew online or by mail without using the MVA photo service, that is your only cost. If you use the MVA photo service during mail-in renewal, add $10. In-person renewal at an MVA office costs $109 and includes a new photo at no extra charge.
Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards. Mail-in renewal accepts check or money order made payable to the Motor Vehicle Administration. In-person renewal at an MVA office accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Do not send cash by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have moved out of state?
No. You must have a Maryland address on file to renew a Maryland license. If you have moved, you need to get a license in your new state instead. Contact that state's DMV or equivalent agency to learn about their requirements.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online without the renewal code by going to the MVA website and selecting "Renew Your License Online," then choosing the option for "I don't have my renewal code." You will need to answer additional security questions. If you cannot answer them, you will need to renew by mail or in person.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail-in renewals take 7 to 10 business days for your new license to arrive by mail. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 30 days, while your permanent license is mailed to you within the same 7 to 10 business days.
Can I renew my license if it is suspended?
No. You must resolve the suspension with the MVA before you can renew. Contact the MVA directly to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do to clear it. Once cleared, you can renew through any method.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew?
Yes. Maryland requires a new photo with every renewal. Online renewal does not require you to submit a new photo — the MVA uses your existing photo on file. For mail-in renewal, you must provide a new photo or pay for the MVA photo service. In-person renewal includes a new photo at no extra cost.