How to Renew Your Massachusetts Driver's License

Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and expiration date

Massachusetts lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or at an RMV office. Which method you can use depends on whether your license is a standard license or a REAL ID, and how soon it expires. Online renewal is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home — but it is only open to standard license holders whose license has not been expired for more than five years. If you have a REAL ID or your license expired longer ago, you will need to renew in person or by mail.

The RMV processes online renewals within one business day. Mail renewals take two to three weeks. In-person renewals are done the same day you visit. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days of approval, except for in-person renewals, where you receive a temporary paper license when ready and the plastic card follows.

Key Takeaways

Standard licenses can be renewed online at mass.gov/rmv if they expired less than five years ago; REAL IDs must be renewed in person or by mail.
Online renewal takes minutes and costs $50 for a five-year license; you need a valid credit or debit card and your current license number.
Mail renewal requires the process form DL 34, a check or money order, and takes two to three weeks; read the form from mass.gov/rmv.
In-person renewal at an RMV office requires your current license, proof of Massachusetts residency, and a completed DL 34 form; you receive a temporary license the same day.
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; check the RMV website for office hours and locations before you visit.

Online renewal for standard licenses

If you hold a standard Massachusetts driver's license and it has not been expired for more than five years, you can renew online at mass.gov/rmv. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the $50 renewal fee. The process takes about five minutes.

Log in to your RMV account or create one if you do not have one. Answer questions about your address, any name changes, and whether your vision and medical status have changed since your last renewal. Review your information, pay the fee, and submit. The RMV will send you a confirmation email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to update your address or name, or if you hold a REAL ID. In those cases, use mail or in-person renewal instead.

Mail renewal using form DL 34

To renew by mail, read form DL 34 from mass.gov/rmv or request it by calling the RMV at 857-368-8000. Fill out the form completely, including your name, license number, date of birth, and current address. If your address has changed since your last renewal, include proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works.

Include your current license (or a photocopy) and a check or money order for $50 (five-year license) or $100 (ten-year license). Mail everything to the address listed on the form. The RMV will process your renewal in two to three weeks. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval.

Mail renewal works for both standard and REAL ID licenses. If you have changed your name since your last renewal, include a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, your new license will still show your old name.

In-person renewal at an RMV office

You can renew in person at any RMV office. Bring your current driver's license, a completed DL 34 form, and proof of your current Massachusetts address. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you have changed your name, bring the certified document that shows the change.

Visit mass.gov/rmv to find office locations and hours. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require appointments. Check the website for your local office's policy. The renewal takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

In-person renewal costs $50 for a five-year license or $100 for a ten-year license. Pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you are renewing a REAL ID, the process is the same — bring your current REAL ID, the DL 34 form, and proof of address.

REAL ID renewal requirements

If your license is a REAL ID, you cannot renew online. You must renew by mail or in person. The documents you need are the same as a standard renewal — your current license, proof of address, and a completed DL 34 form — but the RMV will verify your identity more carefully.

When you renew a REAL ID in person, bring your current REAL ID and one document that proves your identity and citizenship. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, passport card, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card. You also need proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return) and proof of your Massachusetts address.

If you are renewing by mail, include photocopies of these documents with your DL 34 form and current license. Mail renewal of a REAL ID takes longer — usually three to four weeks — because the RMV must verify your documents before processing.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years

If your Massachusetts license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it. You must explore for a new license instead. This requires an in-person visit to an RMV office with proof of identity, proof of citizenship, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Massachusetts residency. You will also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test.

Contact the RMV at 857-368-8000 or visit mass.gov/rmv to learn what documents count as proof of identity and citizenship. The process is longer than a renewal and costs more — a new license costs $50 for five years or $100 for ten years, plus the cost of the knowledge test if you need to take it.

Renewal fees and license validity periods

A five-year Massachusetts driver's license costs $50 to renew. A ten-year license costs $100. You choose the length when you renew. The ten-year option is only available to people age 69 and older; younger drivers must choose five years.

Your new license is valid for the period you choose, starting from the date you renew. If you renew online or by mail, the expiration date on your new license will be five or ten years from the date the RMV approves your renewal, not from the date you submitted it. If you renew in person, it is five or ten years from the date you visit the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Massachusetts license if I live out of state?

No. Massachusetts requires you to be a resident to hold a Massachusetts license. If you have moved out of state, you must surrender your Massachusetts license and get a license from your new state. If you still live in Massachusetts but are temporarily out of state, you can renew by mail using form DL 34.

What if my name has changed since my last renewal?

Include a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — with your renewal process. If you renew online, you cannot update your name; use mail or in-person renewal instead. Your new license will show your current legal name.

How do I know if my license is a REAL ID?

Look at the top right corner of your license. If there is a gold or silver star, it is a REAL ID. If there is no star, it is a standard license. REAL IDs require more documents to renew and cannot be renewed online.

What if I do not receive my new license within 10 business days?

Contact the RMV at 857-368-8000 or use the online form at mass.gov/rmv to report it. Have your confirmation number or process date ready. The RMV can check the status of your renewal and remail it if needed.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to six months before your current license expires. This is useful if you are planning to travel or need a new license soon. The expiration date on your new license will be five or ten years from the renewal date, not from your old expiration date.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.