How to renew your Maryland driver's license
You can renew your Maryland driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo or address. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office at all.
Maryland sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires. The notice tells you which renewal method you can use based on your specific situation. If you have not received a notice and your license is expiring soon, you can start the process yourself by visiting the Maryland MVA website or calling 410-787-7758.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works if your license is not expired, your address has not changed, and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal uses the notice the MVA sends you and takes two to three weeks from when the MVA receives your completed form.
- In-person renewal at an MVA office is required if your license is already expired, you need a new photo, or you are changing your address.
- Maryland licenses are valid for eight years, and you can renew up to one year before expiration or up to six months after expiration.
- You will need to pay a renewal fee, which varies depending on the type of license and whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Online renewal through the Maryland MVA website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You go to the Maryland MVA website, create or log into your account, and complete the renewal form. The whole process takes about 10 minutes. You pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card, and your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
You can renew online only if all of these are true: your current license is not expired, your address has not changed since you got your last license, you do not need a new photo, and your name has not changed. If any of these do not explore to you, you will need to renew by mail or in person instead.
When you renew online, you keep the same license number and the same photo from your previous license. Your new license will have a new expiration date eight years from the date you renew.
Mail renewal using your MVA notice
If you received a renewal notice in the mail from the MVA, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. Fill out the form that came with your notice, include the required documents, and mail everything back in the envelope provided. The MVA processes mail renewals in the order they are received, which typically takes two to three weeks.
Mail renewal works in the same situations as online renewal — your license must not be expired, your address must not have changed, and you do not need a new photo. However, if you lost your renewal notice, you can request a new one from the MVA website or by phone before you mail in your renewal.
You will need to include a check or money order for the renewal fee with your mailed form. Do not send cash. Make your check payable to "Maryland MVA." Mail your completed form and payment to the address shown on your renewal notice.
In-person renewal at an MVA office
You must renew in person at an MVA office if your license is already expired, if you need a new photo, if you are changing your address, or if you are changing your name. You will also need to renew in person if you want to upgrade your license type — for example, if you want to add a motorcycle endorsement or change from a standard license to a REAL ID-compliant license.
Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Maryland residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are changing your address, bring the document that shows your new address. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Visit the Maryland MVA website to find an office near you and to check wait times. Many offices allow you to make an appointment online, which can save you time. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders are served first. Bring all required documents with you — the office cannot process your renewal without them.
Renewal fees and payment methods
The renewal fee depends on the type of license you hold and how long you are renewing it for. A standard eight-year renewal costs one amount, while a four-year renewal costs less. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher. The MVA website shows the exact fee for your situation before you pay.
For online renewal, you pay by credit card or debit card at the time you submit your form. For mail renewal, you send a check or money order. For in-person renewal, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card — the office will tell you which methods they accept.
If you renew more than one year before your license expires, you cannot use the online or mail method — you must renew in person, and the fee may be different. If you renew after your license has expired, you may owe a late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee.
REAL ID compliance and license upgrades
Maryland offers both standard driver's licenses and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. If your current license is not REAL ID-compliant and you want to upgrade during renewal, you must renew in person.
To upgrade to REAL ID during in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), and two documents proving your Maryland residency. The process takes longer than a standard renewal because the MVA must verify your documents, but you can do it all in one visit.
If you do not upgrade to REAL ID during your renewal, your new license will be the same type as your current one. You can upgrade at any time by visiting an MVA office, even if your license is not expiring soon.
What to do if your license has already expired
If your license expired more than six months ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This requires an in-person visit to an MVA office, a written test, and a road test. The process is similar to getting your first license.
If your license expired less than six months ago, you can still renew it by mail or in person. You cannot renew online if your license is expired. When you renew after expiration, you may owe a late fee. Bring your expired license with you or include it with your mail renewal form.
If your license expired while you were out of state or out of the country, you may be able to request a waiver of the late fee. Contact the MVA directly to ask about your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Online renewals are mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewals take two to three weeks from the date the MVA receives your completed form. In-person renewals are faster — you receive a temporary license on the spot and your permanent license arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?
Yes, you can renew your license even if you have an unpaid traffic ticket. However, if you have an unpaid fine that has been referred to collections or if there is a court order against you, the MVA may suspend your license. Check your driving record on the MVA website to see if there are any holds on your account before you renew.
What if I moved out of Maryland after getting my last license?
If you no longer live in Maryland, you cannot renew your Maryland license. You must get a license from your new state instead. Contact the motor vehicle agency in your current state to learn how to transfer your driving record.
Can I renew my license if my name has changed since I got my last one?
No, you must renew in person if your name has changed. Bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The MVA will issue a new license with your updated name.
What happens if I renew online but then realize I made a mistake on the form?
Contact the MVA as soon as possible at 410-787-7758. If your license has not been printed yet, they may be able to correct the information. If your license has already been mailed, you will need to visit an MVA office to get a corrected license, and you may have to pay a replacement fee.