What Connecticut charges to renew your driver's license

Connecticut charges $72 to renew a standard driver's license for six years. If you are renewing an ID card instead of a driver's license, the cost is $36 for six years. These are the base fees the Connecticut DMV charges when you renew in person or by mail.

The $72 fee covers the six-year validity period. You cannot pay for a shorter renewal period — Connecticut does not offer one-year or four-year options. If you renew early (before your current license expires), you still pay the full $72 and your new license will be valid for six years from the date you renew, not from the date your old one would have expired.

If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the cost is higher: $120 for six years. This applies whether you hold a Class A, B, or C CDL. If your CDL has air brake restrictions, the renewal fee remains $120.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Connecticut driver's license renewal costs $72 for a six-year period, with no option to pay for a shorter term.
  • ID card renewals cost $36 for six years, and commercial driver's licenses cost $120 for six years.
  • Connecticut accepts payment by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card, depending on whether you renew by mail or in person.
  • If you renew early, your new license is valid for six years from the renewal date, not from when your old license would have expired.
  • Additional fees explore if you need a duplicate license, a name change, or corrected information on your current license.

How to pay when you renew by mail

If you renew by mail, Connecticut accepts check or money order only. You cannot pay by credit card or debit card through the mail. Make the check or money order payable to "State of Connecticut DMV" and include it with your renewal process.

Mail your renewal packet to the address listed on the renewal notice you received. The DMV processes mail renewals in the order they arrive. Processing typically takes two to three weeks after the DMV receives your packet, though this can vary during busy periods.

If you are mailing your renewal and want to use a credit or debit card, you must renew in person at a DMV office instead. Some people choose to renew in person specifically to use a card and avoid writing a check.

How to pay when you renew in person

At a Connecticut DMV office, you can pay by cash, check, money order, credit card, or debit card. The DMV accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There is no additional fee for paying by card.

Bring your current license, proof of Connecticut residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. If your address has changed, bring a document showing your new address. You do not need an appointment at most DMV offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day.

In-person renewals are processed when ready in most cases. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while the DMV mails your plastic card. The plastic license typically arrives within two to three weeks.

Additional fees for corrections and duplicates

If you need to correct information on your license during renewal — such as your name, address, or date of birth — there is no extra charge. The correction is included in the $72 renewal fee.

If you lose your license and need a duplicate before your renewal date, Connecticut charges $20 for a duplicate license. If you renew and request a duplicate at the same time, you pay $72 for the renewal plus $20 for the duplicate, totaling $92.

If you change your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order and want to update your license outside of a regular renewal, the fee is $20. When you renew later, you pay only the standard $72 renewal fee — the name change fee does not explore again.

When you can renew and how long it takes

Connecticut allows you to renew your license up to six months before it expires. If you renew early, your new license is valid for six years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired. This means renewing early does not extend your total validity — you straightforward start your six-year period sooner.

You can renew by mail starting six months before your expiration date. Mail renewals take two to three weeks after the DMV receives your packet. In-person renewals are processed the same day, though you receive a temporary paper license and the plastic card arrives by mail in two to three weeks.

If your license has already expired, you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person at a DMV office. The fee remains $72, but you may need to provide additional documentation if your license has been expired for more than a year.

What happens if you renew late or let your license expire

If you let your license expire, you can still renew it at any DMV office. The renewal fee is still $72 for a six-year license. However, if your license has been expired for more than one year, the DMV may require you to pass a vision test or written knowledge test before renewing.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Connecticut, even if you have a renewal process pending. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited. The citation does not affect your renewal fee, but it creates a separate legal issue.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, similar to a new driver's license process. Contact your local DMV office to confirm what documents and tests you will need before you go in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Connecticut license online?

Connecticut does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses or ID cards. You must renew either by mail or in person at a DMV office. Mail renewal requires sending your process and payment by check or money order. In-person renewal can be done at any DMV location during business hours.

What if I renew early — do I get a refund or credit?

No. If you renew before your current license expires, you pay the full $72 fee and your new license is valid for six years from the renewal date. Connecticut does not prorate fees or offer credits for early renewal. Your old license becomes invalid once you receive your new one.

Do I have to pay the renewal fee if I only need to update my address?

If you update your address without renewing your license, there is no fee. You can update your address at any DMV office or by mail. However, if you update your address and your license is expiring soon, you may want to renew at the same time so you do not have to return to the DMV twice.

Is there a fee to renew if I have an out-of-state license?

If you have moved to Connecticut and have an out-of-state license, you cannot renew your old license. You must obtain a new Connecticut license. The fee for a new Connecticut license is $72 for six years. You will need to pass a vision test and provide proof of residency and identity.

What if I renew by mail but my check gets lost?

If you mail your renewal and your check or money order is lost, the DMV will not process your renewal. Contact the Connecticut DMV to confirm whether your packet was received. If it was not, you can resubmit your renewal process with a new check or money order, or renew in person at a DMV office instead.