Michigan driver licenses expire every four years, and you can renew yours online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office

Michigan gives you three ways to renew: online through the Secretary of State website (the fastest option), by mail if you prefer not to visit an office, or in person at any Secretary of State branch. Which route works best depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need a new photo, and how quickly you need the renewed license in your hands.

Your license expires on your birthday, four years after you received it. Michigan will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before the expiration date, but you do not have to wait for that notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Secretary of State website takes about 10 minutes and is available if your license is not expired and you do not need a new photo.
  • Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the Secretary of State; processing takes two to three weeks.
  • In-person renewal at a Secretary of State office lets you get a new photo and receive your renewed license the same day or within a few days.
  • You will need to provide your Social Security number, current address, and payment (by credit card, debit card, or check) no matter which method you choose.
  • If your license is already expired, you cannot renew online and must use mail or in-person renewal instead.

Renewing online through the Secretary of State website

Online renewal is the quickest option if you are may be able to access. Go to the Michigan Secretary of State website, select the driver license renewal option, and log in with your Michigan.gov account. If you do not have one, you can create it during the process using your driver license number and Social Security number.

You will answer questions about your current address, any name changes, and whether your information has changed since your last license was issued. The system will ask whether you want to keep your current photo or get a new one. If you choose to keep your photo, you can complete the entire renewal online and pay by credit or debit card. Your renewed license will arrive by mail in about one to two weeks.

Online renewal is not available if your license has already expired, if you need a corrected name on your license, or if you want a new photo. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Renewing by mail

To renew by mail, request a renewal process from the Secretary of State website or call 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424). You can also pick up an process in person at any Secretary of State office. The process is form DL 44.

Complete the form, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver license and payment to the address shown on the form. You can pay by check or money order made out to the State of Michigan. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your process. Your renewed license will arrive by mail.

Mail renewal is a good option if you cannot visit an office and do not need your license urgently. It also works if your license has expired, since online renewal is not available to you in that case.

Renewing in person at a Secretary of State office

Visit any Secretary of State branch office with your current driver license, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the Secretary of State website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times.

At the office, you will have a new photo taken, answer questions about your address and any changes to your information, and pay the renewal fee. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and your permanent renewed license will arrive by mail within about one week.

In-person renewal is the best choice if you need a new photo, if your license has expired, or if you need your renewed license quickly. It is also the option to use if you have changed your name and need that change reflected on your license.

What the renewal costs

A standard four-year driver license renewal costs $25. If you are 65 or older, the renewal cost is $10. These fees cover the license itself and are paid at the time of renewal, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

If you renew online or by mail and pay by credit or debit card, there is an additional processing fee of about $1.50. In-person renewal does not include this extra fee.

What you need to bring or provide

For any renewal method, you will need your Social Security number, your current Michigan driver license number, and your current address. If you have moved since your last license was issued, bring proof of your new address such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and address on it.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), you will need to renew in person and bring a document proving the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Online and mail renewal cannot process name changes.

If your license is expired

You cannot drive with an expired license, and you cannot renew online once your license has expired. You must renew by mail or in person. If you are renewing an expired license in person, bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment. The process is the same as renewing a valid license, except you will need to visit an office instead of using online renewal.

If your license has been expired for more than four years, you may need to retake the written test and road test instead of straightforward renewing. Contact the Secretary of State at 1-888-SOS-MICH to find out whether you are required to test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Michigan driver license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip and want to make sure your license is current, or if you prefer to renew before the expiration date arrives.

How long does it take to get my renewed license after I renew online?

Your renewed license will arrive by mail in about one to two weeks after you complete the online renewal. If you need your license sooner, renew in person at a Secretary of State office and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license within about one week.

What if I moved and my address on my license is wrong?

You can update your address during any renewal method. If you renew online or by mail, straightforward enter your new address in the form. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address such as a utility bill or lease. Your renewed license will show your current address.

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

If you renew online or by mail and choose to keep your current photo, you do not need a new one. If you renew in person, a new photo is taken automatically. You can also request a new photo during online or mail renewal, though this may add processing time.

What happens if I let my license expire?

You cannot legally drive with an expired license. You must renew by mail or in person (not online). If your license has been expired for more than four years, you may need to retake the written and road tests. Contact the Secretary of State to confirm what you need to do.