Vermont driver's license renewal: online, by mail, or in person

Vermont allows you to renew your driver's license online if you meet certain conditions, by mail if you prefer not to go online, or in person at any DMV office. The online route is fastest — you can complete it in minutes and your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip to an office. In-person renewal at a DMV office is necessary only if you cannot renew online or by mail, or if your license has been expired for more than 5 years.

Your renewal timeline depends on your license type and when it expires. Standard licenses are valid for 5 years; commercial licenses for 4 years. Vermont sends renewal notices 60 days before expiration, but you can renew up to 6 months early. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new license — it straightforward extends your total time before the next renewal is due.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Vermont DMV website is available if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and you do not need a corrected vision or medical restriction.
  • Mail renewal requires a completed Form DL-43, your current license, and a check or money order; processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after the DMV receives it.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office requires your current license, proof of Vermont residency, and payment; you can walk in without an appointment at most locations.
  • The renewal fee is $70 for a standard 5-year license; commercial licenses cost $85 for 4 years.
  • If your license expired more than 5 years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written and road tests.

Online renewal: fastest option if you may have access to

To renew online, go to the Vermont DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will verify your identity and pull your current license information from the DMV database.

You cannot renew online if your license has already expired, if you have changed your name since your last renewal, if you need to add or remove medical or vision restrictions, or if you are renewing a commercial license. If any of these explore, use mail or in-person renewal instead.

Once you complete the online form and pay the $70 fee, you will receive a confirmation number. Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Mail renewal: no office visit required

To renew by mail, request Form DL-43 (process for Driver's License Renewal) from the Vermont DMV website, or call the DMV at 802-828-2000 to have one mailed to you. Complete the form, sign it, and include your current license and a check or money order for $70 (payable to "Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles").

Mail your completed form, license, and payment to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, Licensing Division, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603-0001. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after the DMV receives your envelope. You can continue to drive on your current license during this time.

Mail renewal is not available if your license has expired for more than 5 years, if you need to change your address, or if you need to add or remove medical or vision restrictions. In those cases, renew in person at a DMV office.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

Walk into any Vermont DMV office with your current license, proof of your current Vermont address, and payment of $70. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the last 60 days. No appointment is required at most locations, though some offices accept appointments to reduce wait time.

The DMV will verify your information, take a new photo, and issue your renewed license on the spot. You can drive home with your new license the same day. If you need to update your address, change your name, or add or remove medical or vision restrictions, you must renew in person.

If your license expired more than 5 years ago, you must renew in person and you may be required to retake the written test and road test. Contact your local DMV office before you go to confirm what tests you will need.

Fees, payment methods, and what happens if you miss the expiration date

The renewal fee for a standard 5-year license is $70. Commercial licenses cost $85 for a 4-year renewal. Online and in-person renewal accept debit cards, credit cards, and cash. Mail renewal requires a check or money order.

If your license expires, you can still renew it for up to 5 years after the expiration date without retaking tests or providing new documents, as long as you renew by mail or in person. However, you cannot legally drive on an expired license, so renew before the expiration date printed on your card.

If your license has been expired for more than 5 years, you must renew in person at a DMV office and you will likely need to retake the written test and the road test. The DMV will tell you which tests are required when you arrive or when you call ahead.

Name changes, address changes, and medical restrictions

If you have changed your name since your last renewal, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or amended birth certificate). The DMV will update your name and issue a new license with your current photo.

If you need to change your address, you can do so during renewal at any DMV office or by mail if you are renewing by mail. Include your new address on Form DL-43 if you are mailing your renewal. If you are renewing online, you cannot change your address; renew in person or by mail instead.

If you need to add a medical restriction (such as corrective lenses required) or remove one, you must renew in person. Bring documentation from your eye doctor or physician if you are adding a restriction. The DMV will update your license to reflect the change.

Commercial license renewal

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) renewals must be done in person at a Vermont DMV office. You cannot renew a CDL online or by mail. Bring your current CDL, proof of Vermont residency, and payment of $85 for a 4-year renewal.

The DMV will verify your medical certification status. If your medical certificate has expired or is about to expire, you must provide a current one from a certified medical examiner before the DMV will renew your CDL. If you are renewing a hazmat endorsement, you will also need to pass a background check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. Vermont allows you to renew up to 6 months before your license expires. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new license — your new license will still be valid for the full 5 years (or 4 years for a commercial license) from the date it is issued.

What if I move out of Vermont after I renew?

Your Vermont license remains valid until it expires, even if you move to another state. However, you should obtain a license from your new state of residence within the timeframe that state requires, usually 30 to 60 days after moving. You cannot legally drive in your new state on an out-of-state license once you become a resident there.

How long does it take to get my renewed license if I renew in person?

You receive your renewed license when ready when you renew in person at a DMV office. You can drive home with it the same day. If you renew online or by mail, your license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days (online) or 2 to 3 weeks (mail).

What if my license was lost or stolen?

If your license was lost or stolen, you cannot renew it — you must request a replacement. Contact your local DMV office or call 802-828-2000 to report the loss and request a replacement license. You will need to pay a replacement fee and provide proof of identity and residency.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

No appointment is required at most Vermont DMV offices, but some locations accept appointments to reduce wait time. Check the Vermont DMV website to see if your local office offers appointments, or call ahead to ask about current wait times.