What You Need to Do to Renew an Expired Ohio License
You can renew an expired Ohio driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Deputy Registrar office. The method you choose depends on how long your license has been expired and what type of license you hold. If your license expired fewer than six months ago, you can renew by mail or online without taking a new written test. If it expired more than six months ago, you must renew in person and pass the vision and written tests again.
Ohio does not require you to renew in person unless your license has been expired for more than six months or you need to update your address, name, or other information. The state charges a flat renewal fee regardless of which method you use, though in-person renewals may include additional fees if you need a replacement card printed on the spot.
Key Takeaways
- Licenses expired six months or less can be renewed by mail or online without retesting; licenses expired longer than six months require an in-person visit and a new vision and written test.
- Online renewal through the Ohio BMV website is the fastest option if your license expired within six months and you have not changed your address or name.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your expired license, a completed form, and payment to the Ohio BMV.
- In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar office is required if your license expired more than six months ago, and you must bring proof of residency and pass both vision and written tests.
- Your renewed license will be valid for eight years from the issue date, or until age 65 if you are over 49 at renewal.
Renewing Online If Your License Expired Within Six Months
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) allows online renewal through its website at bmv.ohio.gov if your license expired fewer than six months ago. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes and you receive confirmation when ready.
Online renewal is not available if you need to change your address, name, or other personal information on your license. If any of your information has changed, you must renew by mail or in person. You also cannot renew online if you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or if your license was suspended or revoked.
After you complete online renewal, the BMV mails your new license to the address on file. Delivery typically takes five to seven business days. You can continue to drive on your expired license until the new one arrives.
Renewing by Mail for Licenses Expired Six Months or Less
Mail renewal requires you to complete Form DL 44 (process for Ohio Driver's License or Identification Card), sign it, and mail it along with your expired license and payment to the Ohio BMV. The mailing address is on the form itself. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew by mail or online.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the BMV receives your envelope. You should mail your documents at least three weeks before you need your new license. The BMV does not send a receipt or confirmation, so keep a copy of your completed form for your records.
Do not use mail renewal if your license expired more than six months ago, if you need to change your address or name, or if you hold a CDL. Mail renewal is also not available if your license was suspended or revoked.
Renewing in Person at a Deputy Registrar Office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than six months ago. You will need to pass a vision test and a written test covering Ohio traffic laws. Bring your expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within 30 days), and payment.
Find your nearest Deputy Registrar office on the Ohio BMV website. Call ahead to confirm hours and current wait times, as some offices require appointments. The in-person renewal process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 16 of 20 questions correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day at most offices, though some may require you to return on another day. The vision test checks that you can read letters and numbers at a standard distance.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
The renewal fee for a standard driver's license is $28.50 for an eight-year renewal. If you are over 49 at the time of renewal, your license will be valid only until age 65, and the fee is prorated based on the years remaining. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, or credit card (in person only).
For mail and online renewal, you need only your expired license and payment. For in-person renewal, you must also bring proof of residency dated within 30 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address printed on it. A driver's license or state ID from another state does not count as proof of residency.
If you are renewing in person and your name or address has changed since your license was issued, bring a document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you changed your address and are renewing by mail or online, you cannot use those methods; you must renew in person.
What Happens After You Renew
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within five to seven business days of your in-person visit or online renewal, or within two to three weeks of mail renewal. You can drive on your expired license until the new one arrives. Once you receive your new license, destroy your old one or return it to the BMV if requested.
Your renewed license is valid for eight years from the issue date. If you are 49 or older at renewal, it is valid only until your 65th birthday. You will receive a renewal notice by mail about 60 days before your new license expires, though you are responsible for renewing on time even if you do not receive a notice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not attempt to renew online or by mail if your license expired more than six months ago. The BMV will reject your process and you will have to start over with an in-person renewal. Do not send cash by mail; use a check or money order instead. Do not forget to sign your renewal form; unsigned applications are returned without processing.
Do not assume your address on file is current. If you moved and did not update your address, your new license will be mailed to your old address. If you are renewing by mail or online and your address has changed, you must renew in person instead. Do not wait until your license is expired to renew; you can renew up to one year before expiration.
If you are renewing in person, do not bring an expired passport or expired state ID as proof of residency. The document must be current and must show your name and address. Do not assume you will pass the written test without studying; the Ohio BMV provides a study guide on its website that covers all tested topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office and pass both the vision and written tests. There is no time limit on how long ago your license expired, but the longer it has been expired, the more likely you are to need to study for the written test again.
What if I lost my expired license and cannot send it in with my mail renewal?
Contact the Ohio BMV at 614-752-7500 to report your lost license before you mail your renewal. The BMV may allow you to renew without sending in the physical card, but you must get written permission first. If you renew in person, bring a police report of the lost license if you have one.
Do I have to take the written test again if I renew in person?
Yes, if your license expired more than six months ago. If it expired six months or less and you are renewing in person for another reason (such as a name change), you do not have to retake the test.
How long is my renewed license valid?
Your renewed license is valid for eight years from the issue date. If you are 49 or older at the time of renewal, it is valid only until your 65th birthday. After that, you must renew again.
Can I renew my license online if I changed my address?
No. Online and mail renewal are available only if your address, name, and other personal information have not changed. If you moved, you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office.