Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and when it expires
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, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your photo. Most people renew online through the Massachusetts RMV website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $50 for a five-year renewal.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must go to an RMV office in person. If you have a REAL ID (marked with a gold star in the upper right corner), you can renew online only if your address has not changed and you do not need a new photo. Standard licenses without the star can renew online more easily.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through mass.gov/rmv takes 10 minutes, costs $50 for five years, and works for most people whose license expired within the last two years.
- REAL ID licenses can renew online only if your address is the same and you do not need a new photo; any change requires an in-person visit.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and costs $50, but you cannot use it if your license has been expired for more than two years.
- In-person renewal at an RMV office is required if your license expired more than two years ago, or if you need to update your photo or address on a REAL ID.
- You will need your current or expired license, proof of residency, and a valid Social Security number to renew.
Online renewal through the Massachusetts RMV website
Go to mass.gov/rmv and click "Renew Your License" under the Licenses section. You will need your current or expired Massachusetts driver's license number, your date of birth, and your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you what information is on file.
Review your name, address, and other details. If everything is correct, you can proceed to payment. If your address has changed or you need a new photo, you cannot finish online — you will need to visit an RMV office or renew by mail instead. The online fee is $50 for a five-year renewal. Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.
Online renewal is not available if your license expired more than two years ago. It is also not available if you hold a REAL ID and need to change your address, update your photo, or correct any information on your license.
Mail renewal by sending documents to the RMV
You can renew by mail if your license expired within the last two years and you do not need to change your address or photo. read the process for Renewal of Driver's License form (DL 44R) from mass.gov/rmv. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it with your current or expired license and a check or money order for $50.
Send your packet to the address listed on the form — this is the RMV's mail processing center, not a local office. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the RMV receives your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail after that. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal is faster.
Do not use mail renewal if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need a new photo, or if you have a REAL ID and need to update your address or other information.
In-person renewal at an RMV office
Visit your local RMV office if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you have a REAL ID and need to update your address or other details. Bring your current or expired Massachusetts driver's license, proof of your current address (such as a recent utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or card.
You do not need an appointment for license renewal at most RMV offices, but wait times vary. Check mass.gov/rmv for the current wait time at your nearest office before you go. The in-person fee is $50 for a five-year renewal. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and your permanent license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.
If you are renewing a REAL ID in person, bring the same documents you would need for an initial REAL ID process: your birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of your current address. The REAL ID renewal fee is $50 for five years, the same as a standard license.
What documents you need for each renewal method
| Renewal Method | Documents Needed | Cost | Time to Receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Current or expired MA license number, date of birth, Social Security number | $50 | About 2 weeks by mail |
| By Mail | Current or expired MA license, completed DL 44R form, check or money order | $50 | 2–3 weeks processing plus mail time |
| In Person | Current or expired MA license, proof of address, Social Security number or card | $50 | Temporary license same day; permanent by mail in 2 weeks |
| In Person (REAL ID) | Current or expired MA license, birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security, two proofs of address | $50 | Temporary license same day; permanent by mail in 2 weeks |
When your license is expired by more than two years
If your Massachusetts driver's license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must reapply for a new license. This means you will need to visit an RMV office in person, pass a vision test, and provide the same documents as a first-time applicant, including your birth certificate or passport and proof of Social Security number.
You will also need to pass the written knowledge test and the road test unless you are over 75 years old or have held a valid Massachusetts license within the last five years. If you held a valid license within the last five years, you may be able to skip the road test. Contact your local RMV office to confirm what tests you will need to take.
Renewing a REAL ID license
A REAL ID is marked with a gold star in the upper right corner of your license. If you have a REAL ID and your address, name, or other information has not changed, you can renew online or by mail using the same process as a standard license. You do not need to bring extra documents.
If you have a REAL ID and you need to change your address, update your photo, or correct any information, you must renew in person at an RMV office. Bring your current or expired license, your birth certificate or passport, proof of your Social Security number, and two documents showing your current address (such as a utility bill and a lease, or two utility bills). The fee is $50 for five years.
If your REAL ID has expired by more than two years, you must reapply in person with the same documents as a new REAL ID process. You will also need to pass a vision test and may need to pass the written and road tests depending on how long your license has been expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired while I was out of state?
Yes. Massachusetts allows you to renew a license that expired while you were living elsewhere, as long as it has not been expired for more than two years. You can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same process. If it expired more than two years ago, you must reapply in person.
What if I need to change my name on my license during renewal?
You cannot change your name during online or mail renewal. You must visit an RMV office in person and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing your legal name change. The fee is $50 for a five-year renewal.
How long does a temporary paper license last?
A temporary paper license issued at an RMV office is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within two weeks, but if it does not, you can use the temporary license for the full 30 days. If you need your license sooner, contact the RMV to check the status of your process.
Can I renew my license if I have an unpaid traffic ticket or suspended license?
No. You cannot renew your license if it is suspended or revoked. You must clear the suspension first by paying any fines, completing a required program, or meeting other conditions set by the RMV. Contact the RMV or the court that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do.
What if my address changed but I do not have a utility bill as proof?
Acceptable proofs of address include a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and current address. If you do not have any of these, contact your local RMV office to ask what other documents they will accept.