Maine driver's license renewal by mail or in person
Maine lets you renew your driver's license by mail if you meet certain conditions, or you can renew in person at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. Mail renewal is faster and requires no appointment — you send in your current license, a completed process, and the renewal fee. In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes and lets you update your address, photo, or other information on the spot.
You are may be able to access for mail renewal if your license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical restrictions, and your name and address have not changed since your last renewal. If any of those conditions do not explore, you must renew in person. Maine does not offer online renewal.
The renewal fee is $65 for a standard four-year license and $130 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal typically takes two to three weeks from the time the Bureau receives your process. In-person renewal is when ready — you walk out with your new license the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal costs $65 for four years or $130 for eight years and takes two to three weeks, but only works if your license is not expired by more than five years and your name and address have not changed.
- In-person renewal at any Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office takes about 30 minutes and lets you update your photo, address, or other information when ready.
- You will need your current license, a completed process for Renewal of Operator's License (Form MDOT 237), and payment by check or money order for mail renewal.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use mail renewal and must visit an office in person.
- Real ID-compliant licenses require proof of citizenship and residency and can only be renewed in person.
What you need to mail in your renewal
For mail renewal, send the Bureau of Motor Vehicles your current driver's license, a completed process for Renewal of Operator's License (Form MDOT 237), and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash. You can read Form MDOT 237 from the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website or request it by phone at 207-624-9000.
Mail your renewal packet to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 101 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine 04330. Include a return address on the envelope. The Bureau will mail your new license back to you within two to three weeks. If you want to track your renewal, you can call the Bureau after two weeks to confirm receipt.
Do not renew by mail if your current license is damaged, lost, or stolen — you must visit an office in person and pay a replacement fee in addition to the renewal fee.
In-person renewal at a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office
To renew in person, visit any Bureau of Motor Vehicles office with your current license and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. You do not need an appointment for standard renewal, though some offices may have wait times during peak hours.
Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it, such as a Social Security card or tax return. If your name has changed since your last renewal, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will take a new photo and issue your license on the spot.
If you want a Real ID-compliant license, you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship (a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and two forms of proof of residency. Real ID licenses cost the same as standard licenses but take longer to process in the office.
Renewing a license that has been expired for more than five years
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail. You must visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office in person and explore for a new license rather than a renewal. This process is the same as renewing in person, but the Bureau may require you to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test depending on how long your license has been expired.
Call the Bureau at 207-624-9000 before you visit to ask whether you will need to take a written test. Bring the same documents you would for a standard in-person renewal — your proof of address, Social Security number, and any documents showing a name change.
Real ID and Maine driver's license renewal
Maine offers Real ID-compliant driver's licenses, which are required for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. A Real ID license looks the same as a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner. Real ID licenses cost $65 for four years or $130 for eight years — the same price as standard licenses.
You can only get a Real ID license by renewing in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. You must bring proof of citizenship (a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or passport card) and two forms of proof of residency. Acceptable residency documents include a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days.
If you renew by mail or in person without requesting a Real ID license, you will receive a standard license. You can upgrade to a Real ID license at any time by visiting an office in person with the required documents.
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office locations and hours
Maine has Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices in Augusta (headquarters), Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland. The Augusta office is at 101 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine 04330. Hours vary by location, but most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on weekends and state holidays.
You can find the full list of office locations, hours, and phone numbers on the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website. Some offices may have reduced hours during holidays or maintenance. Call ahead if you are traveling a long distance to confirm the office is open.
What happens if your license expires while you are waiting for renewal
If you renew by mail and your license expires before your new one arrives, you are still legally allowed to drive while your renewal is in process. Keep a copy of your mailed process or a receipt from the Bureau showing your renewal was submitted. If you are stopped by police, show them the receipt and your expired license — they will understand that your renewal is pending.
If you renew in person, your new license is issued when ready, so your license will not expire during the process. If you are renewing by mail and your license is close to expiring, consider renewing in person instead to avoid any gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Maine license if I moved out of state?
No. You must have a current Maine address to renew a Maine license. If you have moved out of state, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state instead. Contact your new state's motor vehicle agency to learn about their renewal process.
What if I want to change my address during renewal?
If you renew by mail, you cannot change your address — mail renewal only works if your address has not changed. If your address has changed, you must renew in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days.
Do I need to take a vision test to renew my Maine license?
No, not for a standard renewal. The Bureau does not require a vision test for mail or in-person renewal if your license is current. If your license has been expired for more than five years, the Bureau may require a vision test when you explore in person.
How long does a Maine driver's license last after renewal?
A standard Maine driver's license is valid for four years from the date of renewal. You can also choose an eight-year license for $130 instead of the four-year license for $65. Both are renewed using the same process.
What if my name changed since my last renewal?
You must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document showing your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Mail renewal is not available if your name has changed. The office will update your license with your new name and take a new photo.