How to Renew Your Maryland Driver's License

Maryland driver's licenses renew every five years, and you can do it online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office

Your Maryland driver's license expires on your birthday five years after you received or last renewed it. The state lets you renew up to one year before that date. You have three main paths: online through the MVA website (fastest, if you meet the requirements), by mail (takes two to three weeks), or in person at a Motor Vehicle Administration office (same-day results). Which one you use depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need a new photo, and whether you've had any address changes or violations.

You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, if you're over 70, if you've had a name change, or if you need a REAL ID upgrade. You also cannot renew online if your license expired more than one year ago. In those cases, you must go in person or use the mail option.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $109 for a five-year license, but only works if your current license is valid and you don't need a new photo or REAL ID.
Mail renewal requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and payment; processing takes two to three weeks and costs the same as online.
In-person renewal at an MVA office is the only option if your license is suspended, expired for more than a year, or if you need a REAL ID or new photo.
You can renew up to one year before your expiration date, so you don't have to wait until the last minute.
Maryland charges $109 for a five-year renewal; there is no reduced-cost option for seniors or other groups.

Online renewal: fastest option if your license is current

Online renewal through the Maryland MVA website is the quickest path if you meet the requirements. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, answer a few questions about address and violations, review your information, and pay $109 by credit or debit card. Your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

You cannot use online renewal if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you're 70 or older, if you've changed your name since your last license, if your license expired more than a year ago, or if you need a REAL ID. You also cannot renew online if you want a new photo—the MVA will use your existing photo from your current license. If any of these explore to you, skip to the in-person section below.

Mail renewal: slower but no office visit needed

To renew by mail, you need to complete form DL-43 (process for Maryland Driver's License or Permit), sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $109 to the address listed on the form. You can read the form from the MVA website or request one by calling the MVA at 410-787-7758.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the time the MVA receives your packet. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Mail renewal works even if your license has expired, but if it expired more than one year ago, you may need to include additional documentation—call the MVA to confirm before you send anything. You cannot use mail renewal if you need a REAL ID, if you've had a name change, or if you're 70 or older.

In-person renewal at an MVA office: required for suspensions, REAL ID, and new photos

You must renew in person if your license is suspended or revoked, if you're 70 or older, if you need a REAL ID, if you've changed your name, if your license expired more than a year ago, or if you want a new photo. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days), and payment of $109 in cash, check, or card.

If you need a REAL ID, bring an additional document proving your identity and citizenship: a passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers, or military ID. The MVA will take a new photo and issue your license on the spot or within a few days, depending on the office and how busy it is. Wait times vary by location and time of day; the MVA website shows current wait times for each office.

You can find your nearest MVA office on the MVA website and book an appointment online. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments move faster. There is no extra charge for booking an appointment.

What happens if your license expired more than a year ago

If your license has been expired for more than a year, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to an MVA office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. The MVA may ask you to retake the written test or vision test depending on how long it has been expired and the reason for the lapse.

Call the MVA at 410-787-7758 before you go to ask what documents to bring and whether you'll need to take a test. This call takes a few minutes and can save you a wasted trip if additional paperwork is required.

REAL ID and Maryland driver's licenses

A REAL ID is a federal standard for identification that lets you board domestic flights and enter federal buildings without a passport. Maryland driver's licenses are not REAL ID by default. If you want a REAL ID, you must renew in person and bring proof of identity, proof of citizenship, and proof of residency. The fee is the same: $109 for five years.

You do not need a REAL ID to drive in Maryland or to renew your regular license. You only need one if you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal building. If you're not sure whether you need one, you don't—stick with a regular renewal.

Address changes and name changes during renewal

If you've moved since your last license, you can update your address during online or mail renewal without extra cost. Online renewal will ask you to confirm or change your address. For mail renewal, write your new address on the form before you send it.

If you've changed your name (through marriage, divorce, or legal petition), you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go in person to an MVA office and bring a document proving the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The renewal fee is still $109.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it's been suspended?

No. You must clear the suspension first by paying any fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions set by the MVA. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew in person at an MVA office. Call 410-787-7758 to find out what you need to do to clear it.

What if I lose my license before it expires?

You need a replacement, not a renewal. Go to an MVA office with proof of identity and residency, pay a replacement fee (usually $35), and you'll get a new license with the same expiration date as your old one. You can also request a replacement by mail using form DL-43.

How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew online?

Seven to ten business days. If you need your license sooner, you can go to an MVA office in person and get it the same day or within a few days. There is no expedited mail option.

Do I have to renew on my birthday?

No. Your license is valid until midnight on your birthday in the year it expires. You can renew anytime up to one year before that date. Renewing early gives you time to receive your new license by mail without rushing.

What if I'm out of state when my license expires?

You can renew online or by mail from anywhere. If you need to renew in person, you can visit any MVA office in Maryland when you return, or contact the MVA to ask about options for out-of-state renewal.

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.