How to Renew Your Maryland Driver's License

How to renew your Maryland driver's license online, by mail, or in person

Maryland lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office. Online renewal is fastest — you can finish in minutes if your license is not expired and you have not had certain violations. By mail takes about two weeks. In-person renewal at an MVA office is required if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to change your address, or if you want to add a Real ID star to your card.

Your renewal window opens 180 days before your license expires. You can renew up to one year early if you want to. The MVA will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for it — you can start the process whenever you are in the window.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the MVA website works only if your license is not expired, you have no medical suspensions, and you have not had certain traffic violations in the past three years.
Mail renewal takes about two weeks and costs the same as in-person renewal; you will receive a temporary license by email while you wait.
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you want to add Real ID, or if you need to change your address or photo.
Maryland driver's licenses are valid for eight years, and your renewal fee depends on whether you add Real ID and whether you are renewing early.
You will need proof of identity, proof of Maryland residency, and your Social Security number for any renewal method.

Online renewal through the MVA website

Go to mva.maryland.gov and select "Renew Your License" from the home page. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against MVA records and ask you to confirm your address and any medical conditions.

Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you have an active medical suspension, if you have been convicted of certain traffic offenses in the past three years, or if you want to change your photo or add Real ID. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person or by mail.

If you are approved online, you will receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your confirmation number as a temporary license if you need to drive before the card arrives.

Mail renewal with the MVA

Request a renewal process by calling the MVA at 410-768-7000 or visiting an MVA office. You can also read the process from mva.maryland.gov. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail everything to the address listed on the process.

Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the MVA receives your envelope. You will receive a temporary license by email as soon as your process is processed, so you can drive legally while you wait for the physical card. Keep that email — it counts as proof of a valid license if you are stopped by police.

Mail renewal costs the same as in-person renewal. The standard fee for an eight-year license is $70 if you do not add Real ID, or $85 if you do. If you are renewing early (more than 180 days before expiration), the fee is prorated based on how many months early you are renewing.

In-person renewal at an MVA office

Visit any MVA office in Maryland with your current license, proof of identity, proof of Maryland residency, and your Social Security number. Bring the original documents or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted for proof of identity or residency. You will fill out an process, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee on the spot.

In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you want to add the Real ID star to your card, if you need to change your address, or if you want a new photo. It is also the only option if you have an active medical suspension or certain traffic convictions that block online renewal.

Most MVA offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some locations open on Saturday mornings. Wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times and make an appointment on the MVA website before you go.

What documents you need for renewal

For any renewal method, you will need to provide your Social Security number and confirm your current address. For in-person renewal, bring one document that proves your identity — your current Maryland license counts, or you can bring a passport, military ID, or other government-issued ID. You also need one document that proves you live in Maryland, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days.

If you are renewing by mail, you do not need to send physical documents, but you will need to answer questions about your identity and residency on the process form. The MVA will verify your information against its records and other state databases.

Real ID and what it means for your renewal

Maryland's Real ID star is an optional marking on your driver's license that shows you have met federal identity verification standards. You will need it to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. If your current license does not have the star and you want to add it, you must renew in person at an MVA office.

Adding Real ID costs an extra $15 and requires you to bring original proof of identity and residency. If you already have Real ID on your current license, it will carry over to your new license automatically — you do not need to do anything extra. If you do not want Real ID, you can renew online or by mail without it, and your new license will work for driving and most ID purposes.

Renewal fees and payment methods

A standard eight-year Maryland driver's license renewal costs $70 without Real ID or $85 with Real ID. If you are renewing early (more than 180 days before your expiration date), the fee is reduced based on how many months early you are renewing. For example, renewing 12 months early costs less than renewing 6 months early.

For in-person renewal, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the MVA office. For mail renewal, send a check or money order — the MVA does not accept credit cards by mail. For online renewal, you will pay with a debit or credit card before you finish the transaction.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew online or by mail using the same process as a standard renewal. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at an MVA office. You cannot drive legally with an expired license, even if you have started the renewal process.

If you are stopped by police while your license is expired, you can face a citation and a fine. If your license has been expired for more than one year, the MVA may require you to pass a written test and vision test again before issuing a new license. Renewing before your license expires avoids these complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Maryland license if I moved out of state?

No. You must hold a Maryland address to renew a Maryland license. If you have moved out of state, you will need to get a license from your new state instead. Contact that state's DMV or equivalent agency to start the process.

How long does my temporary license last?

Your temporary license (the email confirmation for mail renewal or the online confirmation number) is valid until your new physical license arrives. Once the card arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid. Keep the email or confirmation number until you receive the card in the mail.

What if I have a medical condition that affects my driving?

Tell the MVA about any medical condition when you renew. You may be asked to provide a medical form from your doctor, or the MVA may place restrictions on your license. Medical suspensions can block online renewal, so you may need to renew in person or by mail instead.

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?

Unpaid traffic fines do not block license renewal in Maryland. However, if you have an active suspension due to a conviction or failure to appear in court, you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the MVA or the court that issued the suspension to find out how to clear it.

Do I need to renew my license before my Real ID important date?

Not necessarily. If your license does not expire before May 7, 2025, you can wait to renew and add Real ID then. However, if your license expires before that date, you will need to renew in person and add the Real ID star at that time if you want it before the important date.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.