How to renew your Maryland driver's license online or in person

You can renew your Maryland driver's license through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) in three ways: online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office. The online method is fastest and costs less than renewing in person. You are not required to take a new photo or pass a vision test unless your license has been expired for more than one year, you are over 65, or the MVA flags your record for a reason.

Your renewal notice arrives by mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains your renewal code, which you need for online renewal. If you have lost the notice, you can still renew in person or by mail, but you will need to provide your driver's license number and other identifying information.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the MVA website takes about 10 minutes and costs $109 for an eight-year license, compared to $137 in person.
  • You need your renewal notice (which arrives 60 days before expiration), a valid payment method, and a current mailing address to renew online.
  • Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your current license to the MVA along with the renewal notice and payment.
  • In-person renewal at an MVA office requires a vision test and new photo, takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on wait times, and you receive your license the same day.
  • If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew by mail or online and must visit an MVA office in person.

Renewing online through the MVA website

Online renewal is the fastest and least expensive option. Go to mva.maryland.gov and select "Renew a Driver's License" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number, the renewal code from your notice, and your date of birth. The system will pull up your record and show you the new expiration date and the fee.

The fee for an eight-year renewal is $109 as of 2024, though this amount can change. You pay by debit card or credit card. After payment goes through, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. During this time, you can print the confirmation email and use it as a temporary license if you are stopped by police, though not all officers will accept it.

Online renewal works only if your license is not expired and you have not had any medical suspensions or restrictions added to your record. If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, you will need to renew in person or by mail instead.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal takes longer but requires no visit to an MVA office. Write a check or money order for $109 payable to "Maryland MVA." Include your current driver's license, your renewal notice, and the check in an envelope addressed to the Maryland MVA. The address is on the back of your renewal notice.

Mail your package to arrive at least two weeks before your license expires. The MVA processes mail renewals in the order they arrive, and processing takes two to three weeks. Your new license will arrive by mail after processing is complete. If you need your license sooner, do not use mail renewal.

Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your license cannot be expired, and you cannot have medical suspensions on your record. If either applies to you, you must renew in person.

Renewing in person at an MVA office

In-person renewal requires you to visit an MVA office with your current driver's license and proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You will take a new photo and pass a vision test. The fee is $137 for an eight-year license, paid by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Wait times at MVA offices vary by location and time of day. Offices are typically less busy on weekday mornings and more crowded on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. You can check current wait times on the MVA website before you go. You receive your new license the same day you visit, printed on the spot.

In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you have medical restrictions on your record, or if the online system tells you that you cannot renew remotely. It is also the only option if you need to update your address, change your name, or add a Real ID designation to your license.

What happens if your license has already expired

If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew by mail or online using the same process described above. The MVA treats recent expiration the same as an active license for renewal purposes.

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use mail or online renewal. You must visit an MVA office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. You will take a new photo and vision test. The fee remains $137 for an eight-year license.

Understanding the difference between standard and Real ID renewal

A standard Maryland driver's license works for driving and everyday identification. A Real ID is a federal designation that also allows you to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings without a passport. Real ID renewal costs the same as standard renewal but requires an in-person visit and additional documents: proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and two proofs of residency.

If you already have a Real ID on your current license, you can renew it online or by mail without providing citizenship documents again. If you want to add Real ID to your renewal and do not currently have it, you must renew in person and bring the extra documents. You can identify whether your license has Real ID by looking for a small star in the upper right corner of the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?

The MVA does not check for unpaid tickets during renewal. However, the court system may suspend your license separately if you have unpaid fines. Before renewing, contact the court that issued the ticket to confirm your license is not suspended. If it is, you must resolve the fine before the MVA will process your renewal.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online or by mail without the notice. For online renewal, the MVA website will ask for your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number instead of the renewal code. For mail renewal, include the same information in a letter with your license and payment.

How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew online?

Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you complete online renewal. During this time, your confirmation email serves as proof of renewal, though not all situations accept it as a temporary license. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, carry your old license and the confirmation email together.

Can I renew my license if I moved to a different address?

If you moved within Maryland, you can renew online or by mail and update your address at the same time. If you moved out of Maryland, you cannot renew your Maryland license and must obtain a license from your new state instead. Contact your new state's motor vehicle agency for their renewal process.

What if the online system rejects my renewal?

The system rejects online renewal if your license is expired by more than one year, if you have medical suspensions, or if there are other flags on your record. The system will tell you why you cannot renew online. In that case, visit an MVA office in person with your license and proof of residency to complete your renewal.