Connecticut renewal options: online, by mail, or in person
Connecticut offers three ways to renew your driver's license: online through the DMV website, by mail if you meet certain requirements, or in person at a DMV office. Most people can renew online if their license is not expired and they have not had a suspension or medical restriction added since their last renewal. If you cannot renew online, the DMV will tell you why and direct you to the next available option.
Your renewal method depends on how much time you have left on your current license and whether your circumstances have changed. If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot use the online or mail process — you must visit a DMV office in person and may need to retake the written test. Connecticut licenses are valid for eight years, so most people renew once every eight years unless they choose to renew early.
Key Takeaways
- Connecticut allows online renewal through the DMV website if your license is current and you have no new suspensions or medical restrictions.
- Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you meet the DMV's requirements; the process takes two to three weeks.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license has been expired for more than two years or if you have had a suspension.
- You will need your current Connecticut license, a valid Social Security number, and a current mailing address to renew by any method.
- Connecticut charges a renewal fee that varies by license type; the DMV website shows the exact fee before you complete your transaction.
Online renewal through the Connecticut DMV website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Go to ct.gov/dmv, log in or create an account, and follow the renewal wizard. The system will ask for your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. If the system confirms you are may be able to access, you can pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card and receive a temporary digital license when ready.
Your new physical license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. During that time, you can use the temporary digital license on your phone as proof of a valid Connecticut license if you are stopped by police or need to show proof of a valid license for another reason. The temporary license appears in your phone's wallet app after you complete the online transaction.
You are not may be able to access for online renewal if your license has expired, if you have had a suspension or restriction added since your last renewal, if you have changed your name, or if you need to update your address to something outside Connecticut. If any of these explore, the DMV website will reject your renewal attempt and explain which option to use instead.
Mail renewal if your license is still valid
Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal but requires no trip to a DMV office. You are may be able to access only if your license is not expired and you have not had a suspension or new medical restriction. Call the DMV at 860-263-5700 to request a renewal form by mail, or read the form from ct.gov/dmv and print it yourself.
Complete the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee (made payable to "State of Connecticut"), and mail both to the address shown on the form. Do not send cash. The DMV will process your renewal and mail your new license to the address on file. The entire process typically takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your form.
If you move before your renewal arrives, contact the DMV to update your address. Mail sent to an old address will be returned to the DMV, and you will need to resubmit or renew in person. For this reason, online renewal is usually faster and safer if you are moving soon.
In-person renewal at a Connecticut DMV office
Visit a DMV office if your license has expired, if you have had a suspension, if you need to change your name or address to outside Connecticut, or if you prefer to renew in person. Bring your current Connecticut driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
You do not need to take a new written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than two years or the DMV has flagged your record for a reason that requires testing. The DMV will tell you at the counter whether a test is required. If a test is required, you can take it the same day at most offices, though you may need to wait or schedule a separate appointment depending on how busy the office is.
DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, with some offices open on Saturday mornings. Wait times vary by location and time of day; the DMV website shows current wait times for each office. You can also schedule an appointment online at ct.gov/dmv to reduce your wait time, though walk-ins are accepted.
What to bring and what it costs
For any renewal method, have your current Connecticut driver's license and your Social Security number ready. If you are renewing in person, bring physical documents: your license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. A utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government letter showing your name and address will work as proof of address.
The renewal fee depends on your license type and how long you are renewing it for. A standard eight-year renewal costs less than a four-year renewal. The DMV website shows the exact fee for your situation before you pay. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check (by mail only). The DMV does not accept cash by mail, but cash is accepted at in-person offices.
If you are renewing early — before your current license expires — you can add the remaining time on your old license to your new license, so you do not lose any validity. The fee is prorated based on how much time you are adding.
If your license has been expired for more than two years
You cannot renew online or by mail if your license expired more than two years ago. You must visit a DMV office in person. The DMV will likely require you to retake the written knowledge test and may require a new road test, depending on how long your license has been expired and whether there are any flags on your driving record.
Bring the same documents you would bring for a standard in-person renewal: your expired license (or a state ID if you have one), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. If you do not have your expired license, bring two forms of ID instead. Study the Connecticut driver's manual before you go, because you will need to pass the written test to get your license back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Connecticut license before it expires?
Yes. Connecticut allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires. If you renew early, any time remaining on your current license is added to your new license, so you do not lose validity. The fee is prorated based on the time you are adding.
What if I moved out of state since my last renewal?
You cannot renew your Connecticut license by mail or online if your address is now outside Connecticut. You must visit a DMV office in person and bring proof of your new out-of-state address. The DMV will update your address and issue your renewal.
How long does a temporary digital license work?
A temporary digital license issued after online renewal is valid for 30 days or until your new physical license arrives, whichever comes first. After that, you must use your new physical license. Police will accept the temporary license as proof of a valid Connecticut license during that period.
Do I need a new photo for my renewal?
No. If you renew online or by mail, your photo from your current license is carried over to your new license. If you renew in person and want a new photo, ask the DMV staff — some offices will take a new photo for a small additional fee, but it is not required.
What if the DMV rejects my online renewal?
The DMV website will explain why you are not may be able to access for online renewal and tell you which method to use instead. Common reasons include an expired license, a suspension on your record, or a name change. Follow the alternative method the system recommends, or call 860-263-5700 to ask questions about your specific situation.