You can renew your New Jersey driver's license by mail if your license is not expired and you meet basic residency requirements

New Jersey allows mail renewal for standard driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards, but only if your current license has not yet expired and you have not had any address changes since your last renewal. The process takes about two to three weeks from the time the Motor Vehicle Commission receives your process. You will need to submit a completed form, your current license, and a check or money order — no online payment is available for mail renewals.

Mail renewal is not available if your license has already expired, if you need to change your address, if you have medical conditions to report, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license. In those cases, you must visit a Motor Vehicle Commission office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail renewal works only if your current license has not expired and your address has not changed since your last renewal.
  • You must submit form BA-56 (process for Renewal of Driver's License or Identification Card), your current license, and payment by check or money order.
  • Processing takes two to three weeks after the Motor Vehicle Commission receives your process, not including mail delivery time.
  • The renewal fee is $24.50 for a four-year license or $39.50 for a ten-year license, depending on your age and license type.
  • If your license has expired or your address has changed, you cannot use mail renewal and must visit an office in person.

Step-by-step process for mailing your renewal

Start by obtaining form BA-56 from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website or by calling 609-292-6500. Fill out the form completely, including your name, driver's license number, date of birth, and current address. Sign and date the form — an unsigned form will be returned without processing.

Gather your current driver's license and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Write your driver's license number on the back of the check or money order. Do not send cash. Place the completed form, your license, and payment in an envelope and mail it to the address listed on the form: Motor Vehicle Commission, Renewal Section, P.O. Box 403, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Keep a copy of the form and a record of when you mailed it. The Motor Vehicle Commission does not send a confirmation receipt, so having your own copy protects you if there is a question about whether your process arrived.

Renewal fees and what they depend on

The fee for mail renewal depends on the length of license you choose and your age. A four-year license costs $24.50. A ten-year license costs $39.50. These are the only two options available for mail renewal.

The fee does not change based on when you renew or how long you have held your current license. If you are renewing before your current license expires, you pay the standard fee — there is no discount for early renewal.

Timeline: when to expect your new license

Processing time begins when the Motor Vehicle Commission receives your process, not when you mail it. Standard processing takes two to three weeks. Add one to two weeks for mail delivery to Trenton and another one to two weeks for delivery of your new license back to you, depending on postal service speed.

If you need your license by a specific date — for travel, for work, or for any other reason — do not rely on mail renewal. The total time from mailing to receiving can easily reach five to six weeks. If you are close to your renewal important date, visit a Motor Vehicle Commission office instead.

You can use your current license for driving while your renewal is being processed, as long as it has not yet expired. Once your new license arrives, your old one is no longer valid.

When you cannot use mail renewal

Your license must not be expired. If your current license has already expired, you cannot renew by mail under any circumstances. You must visit a Motor Vehicle Commission office and may need to retake the written test and vision test.

Your address must not have changed. If you have moved since your last renewal, you cannot use mail renewal even if you have not yet notified the Motor Vehicle Commission. You must update your address in person at an office.

Mail renewal is also not available if you are renewing a commercial driver's license, if you have medical conditions or restrictions to report, if you need to change your name, or if you are renewing an identification card that requires a new photo. In all these cases, you must visit an office.

What to do if your process is rejected or lost

If the Motor Vehicle Commission receives an incomplete or unsigned form, they will return it to you without processing. Check your form carefully before mailing: your signature and date are required, and all fields must be filled in. If you receive a rejected form in the mail, correct the errors and resubmit it with a new check or money order.

If you do not receive your new license within four to five weeks of mailing your process, contact the Motor Vehicle Commission at 609-292-6500. Have your driver's license number and the date you mailed your process ready. They can tell you whether your process was received and where your license is in the process.

If your process was lost in the mail, the Motor Vehicle Commission can issue you a replacement license in person at an office. You will need to bring your current license and pay the renewal fee again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew by mail if my license expired last month?

No. Mail renewal is only for licenses that have not yet expired. If your license has expired, you must visit a Motor Vehicle Commission office in person. You may need to retake the written and vision tests depending on how long your license has been expired.

What if I moved since my last renewal but haven't updated my address yet?

You cannot use mail renewal. You must visit an office in person to update your address and renew your license at the same time. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease, along with your current license and payment.

Can I pay for mail renewal with a credit card or online?

No. Mail renewal requires payment by check or money order only. Write your driver's license number on the back of the check or money order so the Motor Vehicle Commission can match it to your process.

How long does mail renewal take from start to finish?

Processing takes two to three weeks after the Motor Vehicle Commission receives your process. Add one to two weeks for postal delivery each way, so the total time is typically four to six weeks from when you mail your process to when you receive your new license.

What happens if I need to drive before my new license arrives?

You can continue to drive using your current license as long as it has not expired. Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. If your current license expires before your new one arrives, you cannot legally drive and should visit an office for an expedited renewal.