What You Pay for a Maryland Driver License

A Maryland driver license costs $70 for a standard eight-year license if you are 21 or older. If you are under 21, the cost is $50 for a five-year license. These are the base fees charged by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) when you obtain a new license or renew an expired one.

The fee covers the license itself and the background check the MVA runs during processing. You pay this fee once at the time you submit your process, either in person at an MVA office or through the mail if you are renewing by post. Additional fees explore if you need a replacement card, a name change, or a duplicate license.

Maryland does not charge separate fees for different license classes (Class C for regular driving, Class D for motorcycles, or commercial licenses). The class you hold does not change the base cost, though commercial licenses have their own renewal timeline and may involve additional testing fees if you need to take the commercial driving exam.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Maryland driver license costs $70 for eight years if you are 21 or older, or $50 for five years if you are under 21.
  • You pay the full fee at the time you explore or renew, whether you go to an MVA office in person or renew by mail.
  • A replacement or duplicate license costs $10 if your card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
  • Motorcycle endorsements and commercial licenses have the same base fee but different renewal periods and may require separate exam fees.
  • Maryland charges no additional fee to change your name or address on your license; you only pay if you need a new card printed.

Replacement and Duplicate License Fees

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement card. Maryland charges $10 for a duplicate or replacement license. You can order a replacement online through the MVA website, by mail, or in person at an MVA office. The $10 fee is the only charge; there is no additional processing fee.

A replacement license is issued with the same expiration date as your current license, so you are not paying for a full renewal. If your license is expiring within the next few months, you may want to renew instead of replacing, since renewal costs $70 but gives you a full eight years (or five years if under 21) of validity.

Motorcycle Endorsement and Commercial License Costs

Adding a motorcycle endorsement to your Maryland license does not increase the base license fee. However, if you do not already hold a motorcycle endorsement, you must pass the motorcycle skills test and written exam. The MVA charges $10 for the motorcycle written test and $15 for the riding skills test, for a total of $25 in exam fees.

A commercial driver license (CDL) in Maryland costs the same $70 base fee as a standard license, but the renewal period is different. CDLs are valid for four years instead of eight. If you need to obtain a CDL for the first time, you must pass the commercial written exam ($10) and the commercial driving exam ($50), in addition to the $70 license fee.

If you already hold a CDL and are renewing it, you pay only the $70 renewal fee unless you need to take the written exam again. The MVA may waive the exam if you have a clean driving record and are renewing on time.

How to Pay and Payment Methods Accepted

Maryland MVA offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you are renewing by mail, you must include a check or money order with your process. Online renewals through the MVA website accept credit and debit cards only.

The MVA does not accept payment plans or installments. The full fee is due at the time you submit your process. If you are renewing in person at an MVA office, you can pay when ready and receive your temporary license on the spot while your permanent card is printed and mailed to you.

When Your License Expires and Renewal Timing

Your Maryland driver license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the card. Standard licenses expire every eight years for drivers 21 and older, and every five years for drivers under 21. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, and you should do so before the expiration date to avoid driving on an expired license.

If your license has already expired, you can still renew it by mail or in person. There is no penalty fee for renewing an expired license in Maryland; you pay the standard $70 renewal fee. However, if you are stopped while driving on an expired license, you may receive a citation.

Commercial licenses expire every four years, regardless of your age. The renewal timeline is the same: you can renew up to one year in advance, and the cost is $70 if you do not need to retake the exam.

Name Changes and Address Updates

Changing your name or address on your Maryland license does not cost extra if you are not requesting a new card. You can update your address online through the MVA website at no charge, and the change takes effect when ready for record-keeping purposes.

If you need a new physical card printed with your updated name or address, the MVA charges $10 for a replacement card. This is the same fee as a duplicate license. You can request a name or address change in person at an MVA office, by mail, or online, depending on the type of change and your current license status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Maryland license online, and does it cost less?

You can renew online if your license is not expired and you meet other may be able to access requirements. Online renewal costs the same $70 as renewing in person or by mail. The MVA website will tell you whether your specific license is may be able to access for online renewal based on your age and license type.

What if I need to take the written test again because I failed it?

The MVA charges $10 each time you take the written test. There is no limit on how many times you can retake it, but you must pay the $10 fee for each attempt. You do not pay the full $70 license fee again until you pass the test and are ready to obtain or renew your license.

Do I have to pay the full $70 if I'm renewing early?

Yes, you pay the full $70 renewal fee even if you renew up to one year early. The fee covers the full eight-year (or five-year) validity period from the date of renewal, not from your original expiration date. Early renewal does not reduce the cost.

Is there a fee to add a Real ID designation to my Maryland license?

No, there is no additional fee to obtain a Real ID-compliant license in Maryland. The $70 license fee covers the Real ID designation. You must provide the required documents (proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of Maryland residency) when you explore or renew, but there is no separate Real ID fee.

What happens if I lose my license and need it replaced before my renewal date?

You pay $10 for the replacement card, and it will have the same expiration date as your original license. When your license expires, you then pay the full $70 renewal fee. You do not pay both fees at once unless you choose to renew at the same time you replace your card.