You can renew your Maine driver's license online if you meet certain requirements
Maine allows you to renew your driver's license through its online portal if your license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical or vision restrictions, and you have not had any license suspensions or revocations. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $37 for a five-year renewal, and you receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you do not meet these requirements, you must renew in person at a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles operates the online renewal system through its website. You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method — debit card, credit card, or e-check. You cannot use this method if your address has changed since your last renewal; address changes require an in-person visit.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal in Maine costs $37 for a five-year license and takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
- You are ineligible for online renewal if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have medical or vision restrictions, or if you have had any suspension or revocation.
- You cannot change your address online; address changes require an in-person visit to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
- The online system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and e-checks, and you need your current license number and Social Security number to start.
Who can and cannot renew online in Maine
Maine's online renewal system has specific may be able to access rules. You can renew online only if your current license is valid (not expired) or expired no more than five years ago. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
You are also ineligible for online renewal if your license carries any medical or vision restrictions — for example, if you must wear corrective lenses or have a restriction limiting you to daytime driving only. Any history of suspension or revocation, even if it has been resolved, disqualifies you from online renewal. If you are unsure whether you have restrictions or a suspension history, contact the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 207-624-9000 before attempting to renew online.
Drivers under 21 cannot renew online. If you are under 21, you must renew in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
How to start your online renewal
Go to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website and select the online renewal option. You will be directed to create or log into your account. Have your current driver's license in front of you — you will need your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity.
The system will ask you to confirm your personal information, including your name, address, and date of birth. If any information is incorrect, you cannot proceed online; you must visit an office in person to make corrections. If your address has changed since your last renewal, stop here and visit an office instead — the online system does not allow address changes.
Review the renewal form carefully. You will be asked whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving ability. Answer honestly; false statements on a renewal form are a violation of Maine law. Once you confirm all information is correct, proceed to payment.
Payment and what happens next
Maine accepts debit cards, credit cards, and e-checks for online renewal. The fee is $37 for a five-year license. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save this number — you may need it if you have questions about your renewal.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive using your current license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive your license within 10 business days, contact the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles with your confirmation number.
Maine does not issue temporary licenses for online renewals. If you need to drive before your new license arrives and your current license has expired, you may be stopped by law enforcement. For this reason, renew online well before your expiration date if possible.
When you must renew in person instead
Visit a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have medical or vision restrictions, if you have had a suspension or revocation, if you need to change your address, or if you are under 21. You will also need to renew in person if the online system rejects your identity verification — this sometimes happens if your information in the system does not match your current documents exactly.
In-person renewals take longer but allow you to correct information, add or remove restrictions, and receive a temporary license on the spot if needed. Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your last renewal, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
Finding a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office
Maine has 29 Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices across the state. The largest offices are in Portland, Bangor, and Augusta, but smaller towns also have offices. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website.
Many offices operate by appointment only, especially since the pandemic. Check the website or call ahead before you visit — walk-ins may not be accepted. Some offices have longer wait times than others; calling ahead can tell you which offices have shorter queues on a given day.
What to do if your renewal is delayed or rejected
If the online system rejects your renewal, you will see an error message explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between your name or date of birth in the system and your current documents, or a flag in the system indicating a suspension or restriction you were not aware of. Write down the exact error message and contact the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 207-624-9000 to ask what the problem is and whether you can fix it online or must visit in person.
If you submitted payment but did not receive a confirmation number, check your email (including spam folders) for a receipt. If you see no receipt after 24 hours, contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with the payment method you used — debit card, credit card, or e-check — and the date and time you attempted to renew. The Bureau can check whether the payment went through and whether your renewal was processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is already expired?
Yes, as long as it expired no more than five years ago and you have no restrictions or suspension history. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?
You cannot change your address through online renewal. You must visit a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office in person. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving with your current license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive it within 10 business days, contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with your confirmation number.
What if the online system says I have a suspension or restriction I do not know about?
Call the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 207-624-9000 to ask what the suspension or restriction is and whether it can be resolved. You may need to visit an office in person to clear it before you can renew.
Can I renew online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Only if your current license already shows a vision restriction (usually noted as "corrective lenses required"). If you need glasses now but your license does not have this restriction, you must renew in person so the Bureau can update your record.