Renewal timelines vary by state, from every 4 years to every 8 years
How often you renew your driver's license depends entirely on which state issued it. Most states require renewal between 4 and 8 years, but the exact timeline is set by state law, not by federal rule. Some states also offer different renewal periods based on your age or whether you renew in person or online.
The state DMV website for your license-issuing state will tell you your specific renewal date. You can also find it printed on the front or back of your license itself — usually listed as an expiration date. Renewing before that date is always allowed; renewing after it is not.
Missing your renewal important date means your license becomes invalid for driving. You cannot straightforward renew late; you may have to retake the written test, vision test, or both, depending on how long past the expiration date you wait.
Key Takeaways
- Your renewal timeline is printed on your driver's license and is set by your state — check the expiration date to know when you must renew.
- Most states renew licenses every 4, 5, 6, or 8 years, and some offer shorter cycles for drivers over 70 or 80.
- You can renew before your expiration date, but not after — driving on an expired license is illegal.
- Some states allow online or mail renewal for standard renewals, but in-person renewal may be required if your license has been expired for more than a few years.
State-by-state renewal periods
The following table shows the standard renewal period for each state. These are the timelines for adult drivers renewing a standard driver's license under normal circumstances. Some states have different rules for commercial licenses, learner's permits, or drivers over a certain age.
| State | Renewal Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Alaska | 5 years | Drivers 69 and older renew every 2 years |
| Arizona | 12 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 5 years |
| Arkansas | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| California | 5 years | Drivers 70 and older may renew every 2 years |
| Colorado | 10 years | Drivers 61 and older renew every 5 years |
| Connecticut | 8 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 4 years |
| Delaware | 8 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 4 years |
| Florida | 8 years | Drivers 80 and older renew every 6 years |
| Georgia | 8 years | Drivers 64 and older renew every 4 years |
| Hawaii | 4 years | Drivers 72 and older renew every 2 years |
| Idaho | 4 years | Drivers 63 and older may renew every 8 years |
| Illinois | 4 years | Drivers 69 and older renew every 2 years |
| Indiana | 4 years | Drivers 75 and older renew every 2 years |
| Iowa | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Kansas | 6 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Kentucky | 4 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 2 years |
| Louisiana | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Maine | 4 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 2 years |
| Maryland | 8 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 4 years |
| Massachusetts | 5 years | Drivers 75 and older renew every 2 years |
| Michigan | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Minnesota | 4 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 2 years |
| Mississippi | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Missouri | 6 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 3 years |
| Montana | 8 years | Drivers 75 and older renew every 4 years |
| Nebraska | 5 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Nevada | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| New Hampshire | 5 years | Drivers 75 and older renew every 2 years |
| New Jersey | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| New Mexico | 4 years | Drivers 75 and older renew every 2 years |
| New York | 8 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 4 years |
| North Carolina | 8 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 4 years |
| North Dakota | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Ohio | 4 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Oregon | 8 years | Drivers 50 and older may renew every 8 years |
| Pennsylvania | 4 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 5 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| South Carolina | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| South Dakota | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Tennessee | 4 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Texas | 8 years | Drivers 85 and older renew every 2 years |
| Utah | 5 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 5 years |
| Vermont | 4 years | Drivers 75 and older renew every 2 years |
| Virginia | 5 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Washington | 5 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| West Virginia | 5 years | Drivers 70 and older renew every 2 years |
| Wisconsin | 8 years | Drivers 75 and older renew every 4 years |
| Wyoming | 4 years | Drivers 65 and older renew every 2 years |
When you turn a certain age, your renewal period may change
Many states shorten the renewal period for drivers over 65, 70, or 75. This means that once you reach that age, you will renew more often than you did before. For example, in California you renew every 5 years until you turn 70, then every 2 years after that.
The age threshold and the new renewal period both vary by state. Some states, like Arizona and Colorado, allow longer renewal periods for older drivers rather than shorter ones. Check your state's DMV website or your license itself to see whether your renewal timeline will change on your next birthday.
If you are within a year of a birthday that will change your renewal period, plan your renewal timing carefully. Renewing just before the age change means you will renew again sooner than if you wait until after your birthday.
What happens if you let your license expire
Driving on an expired license is illegal in every state. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can be cited for driving with an invalid license, which carries a fine and may result in points on your driving record.
If your license has been expired for a short time — usually less than 30 days — you may be able to renew by mail or online in most states. If it has been expired for longer, you will likely have to renew in person at a DMV office. Some states require you to retake the written test, vision test, or both if your license has been expired for more than a year or two.
The exact rules depend on your state and how long your license has been expired. Contact your state DMV directly to find out what documents and tests you will need if you are renewing an expired license.
Online and mail renewal options vary by state
Some states allow you to renew your standard driver's license online or by mail without visiting a DMV office. Others require in-person renewal every time. The rules also depend on whether you are renewing a license that is still valid or one that has already expired.
Most states that offer online renewal require you to renew in person at least once every 10 to 12 years, even if you have been renewing online in between. This is to update your photo and verify your identity in person.
Check your state DMV website to see whether you can renew online or by mail for your next renewal. If you can, the process is usually faster and does not require an office visit. If you cannot, you will need to schedule an appointment or visit a DMV office during business hours.
Commercial licenses and other license types have different renewal periods
A commercial driver's license (CDL) has its own renewal timeline, which is often different from a standard driver's license. Most states require CDL renewal every 4 years, but some require it every 2 years. CDL renewal almost always requires an in-person visit and a medical examination.
Motorcycle endorsements, hazmat endorsements, and other special endorsements may also have different renewal periods or requirements. If you hold any of these, your state DMV website will list the specific timeline and what you need to bring to renew.
Learner's permits and temporary licenses also have their own expiration dates, which are usually much shorter than a standard driver's license — often 6 months to 2 years. Check the document itself for the expiration date.
How to find your exact renewal date
Your driver's license shows your expiration date on the