Renewing your New Jersey driver's license in person or by mail
New Jersey lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Commission office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how soon you need it, and what type of license you hold. Most people can renew by mail or online without visiting an office, which takes two to four weeks. If you need your license faster or your situation requires it, you can renew in person the same day.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about two months before your license expires. This notice tells you which renewal method works for your situation — not all licenses can renew the same way. Read it carefully, because attempting the wrong method will delay your renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Mail and online renewals take two to four weeks, while in-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Commission office is completed the same day.
- Your renewal notice specifies which method you can use; some license types require in-person renewal.
- By-mail renewal costs $24.50 and requires you to return your old license; online renewal costs $24.50 and does not require a visit.
- If you renew in person, bring your current license, proof of New Jersey residency, and your renewal notice.
- Commercial driver's licenses and licenses with medical restrictions cannot renew by mail or online and must be renewed in person.
Renewing by mail: what to send and when to expect it
Mail renewal works if your license is still valid and your renewal notice says you can use this method. Fill out the form that came with your notice, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and the $24.50 fee to the address printed on the notice. Do not use a personal check — the Motor Vehicle Commission accepts money orders or checks drawn on a business account only.
Processing takes two to four weeks from the date the Motor Vehicle Commission receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail. During this time, you can still drive using your old license as long as it has not expired. If your old license expires before your new one arrives, contact the Motor Vehicle Commission to request a temporary extension.
Keep your renewal notice and the envelope you mailed in case you need to track your renewal. The notice has a reference number you can use to check the status on the Motor Vehicle Commission website.
Renewing online through the Motor Vehicle Commission website
Online renewal is the fastest mail-free option if your renewal notice says you are may be able to access. Go to the Motor Vehicle Commission website, select "Renew Driver License Online," and enter your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will pay the $24.50 fee with a credit or debit card.
After you submit your payment, the Motor Vehicle Commission mails your new license within two to four weeks. You keep your old license during this time and can continue to drive with it. Your new license arrives by mail at the address on file with the Motor Vehicle Commission.
Online renewal does not require you to mail anything back, which is why many people choose it over mail renewal. However, you cannot change your address, name, or other information online — if you need to update anything, you must renew in person.
Renewing in person at a Motor Vehicle Commission office
In-person renewal takes one to two hours and is completed the same day. You receive a temporary license on the spot and your permanent license by mail within two weeks. Bring your current license, proof of New Jersey residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and your renewal notice. The fee is $24.50 for a standard license.
In-person renewal is required if you hold a commercial driver's license, if your license has medical restrictions, if you need to change your address or name, or if your renewal notice says in-person renewal is required. You can also choose in-person renewal even if mail or online renewal is available to you.
Motor Vehicle Commission offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You can make an appointment online or walk in. Making an appointment reduces your wait time significantly. Bring your renewal notice and all required documents to speed up the process.
What happens if your license has already expired
If your license expired more than six months ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply for a new license. This requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a vision test. If your license expired fewer than six months ago, you can still renew using the standard process (mail, online, or in person).
If your license expired recently but you have not yet received your renewal notice, contact the Motor Vehicle Commission to request one. Do not wait for the notice to arrive if your expiration date is within a month — go to a Motor Vehicle Commission office in person to avoid driving with an expired license.
Paying the renewal fee and what it covers
The standard renewal fee is $24.50 for a four-year license. This fee covers the cost of producing and mailing your new license. If you renew by mail, you must include payment with your process — the Motor Vehicle Commission does not bill you later. For online renewal, you pay when ready with a credit or debit card. For in-person renewal, you pay at the office when you submit your process.
The $24.50 fee is the same regardless of which renewal method you choose. Some people pay an additional fee if they need a REAL ID-compliant license or if they are renewing a commercial license, but standard passenger licenses renew at the base rate.
Tracking your renewal and what to do if it does not arrive
After you renew by mail or online, you can check the status of your license on the Motor Vehicle Commission website using your reference number (printed on your renewal notice) and your license number. The status page tells you whether your process was received, approved, and mailed.
If your new license does not arrive within four weeks of mailing your process or paying online, contact the Motor Vehicle Commission. Have your reference number and license number ready. The Motor Vehicle Commission can remail your license or investigate whether it was lost in transit. If your old license expires while you are waiting, ask about a temporary extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I moved to a different address?
If you moved within New Jersey, you can update your address by renewing in person at a Motor Vehicle Commission office. Mail and online renewal do not allow address changes. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days) along with your other documents.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
Contact the Motor Vehicle Commission and request a duplicate notice. You can renew without the notice if you have your license number and other identifying information, but the notice makes the process faster. You can also go directly to a Motor Vehicle Commission office in person to renew without the notice.
Do I need to take a new photo for license renewal?
For mail and online renewal, the Motor Vehicle Commission uses your existing photo. If you renew in person, you will have a new photo taken. If you want a new photo but are renewing by mail or online, you must renew in person instead.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license by mail?
No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a Motor Vehicle Commission office. You will need to pass a medical examination and provide proof of it. Bring your current commercial license, proof of residency, and your renewal notice.
What if my name changed since I got my current license?
You must renew in person and bring a document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Mail and online renewal do not allow name changes. The Motor Vehicle Commission will update your name and issue a new license with the correct information.