Get a replacement license by visiting the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration in person

To replace a lost driver's license in Maryland, you must go to a Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office with proof of identity and proof of residency. The MVA will not mail you a replacement — you have to appear in person. You'll pay a fee (currently $70 for a standard license), answer questions to confirm your identity, and have a new photo taken. You'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot and the plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

The process is straightforward if you have the right documents. The main delay most people hit is not having acceptable proof of residency, so checking what counts before you go saves a trip.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit an MVA office in person with a valid ID and proof you live in Maryland — the MVA will not process replacements by mail or online.
  • Acceptable proof of identity includes a passport, military ID, or state ID card; a Social Security card alone is not enough.
  • Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
  • You pay $70 for a standard replacement license and receive a temporary paper license when ready; the plastic card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
  • If you have an out-of-state license or your Maryland license expired more than two years ago, you may need to retake the written test.

What documents you need to bring

Bring one form of valid photo ID and one proof of residency. For photo ID, the MVA accepts a U.S. passport, military ID, state ID card, or passport card. A Social Security card, birth certificate, or school ID will not work on their own. If your only ID is expired, call the MVA at 410-787-7758 before you go — they may let you use it if the expiration is recent.

For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your current Maryland address. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, and insurance documents all count. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you live with someone else and the document is in their name, bring a signed letter from them saying you live there, plus the document itself.

If you were born outside the United States, bring your birth certificate or passport along with your other documents. The MVA will ask to see it even if your current license is valid.

Where to find an MVA office and what to expect

Maryland has MVA offices in Baltimore, Annapolis, Bowie, Cumberland, Hagerstown, Salisbury, and Towson, plus several smaller branch locations. Find the full list and hours at mva.maryland.gov. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, and a few offer Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some offices now use an online reservation system — check your local office's page before you go.

Bring your documents, arrive early if possible (lines are typically longest mid-morning and mid-afternoon), and expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on the office. When you reach the counter, tell the clerk you're replacing a lost license. They'll verify your identity, confirm your address, ask you to sign a form, and take a new photo. The entire process takes about 10 minutes once you're called.

When you need to retake the written test

If your Maryland license expired more than two years ago, you cannot straightforward replace it — you must retake the written knowledge test and pass it before you get a new license. The same rule applies if you hold an out-of-state license and are replacing it with a Maryland license for the first time. You'll still need the same documents, but you'll also need to schedule a separate appointment to take the test, which costs an additional $7.

If your license expired between one and two years ago, you can renew it without retesting. If it expired less than one year ago, you can replace it when ready. The clerk at the MVA office will tell you which category you fall into when you arrive.

Your temporary license and when the plastic card arrives

After you pass the photo and identity check, the MVA prints a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and works everywhere a regular license does — you can drive, show it as ID, and use it for any legal purpose. Keep it safe because you'll need it if you're stopped by police before your plastic card arrives.

The plastic license card is mailed to the address you provided at the MVA office. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you don't receive it within two weeks, call the MVA at 410-787-7758 to report it. Do not go back to the office in person — they will look up your order by phone and either remail it or tell you if there was a problem with the address.

What to do if you cannot visit an MVA office

Maryland does not offer mail-in replacement for lost licenses, and there is no way around the in-person requirement. If you are homebound or unable to travel, you have two options: ask someone you trust to go with you and provide a power of attorney form (the MVA can tell you what form to use), or contact the MVA directly at 410-787-7758 to ask about hardship exceptions. Hardship exceptions are rare and require documentation, but they exist for people with serious medical conditions or mobility issues.

If you live outside Maryland temporarily, you can still replace your license by visiting any Maryland MVA office when you're in the state. Your temporary license will be mailed to your Maryland address of record, not a temporary address.

Replacing your license if it was stolen

If your license was stolen rather than lost, the process is the same — you still visit an MVA office with proof of identity and residency and pay the $70 replacement fee. You do not need to file a police report first, though you may want to do so for your own records if theft is involved. The MVA will not ask for proof that it was stolen; they treat lost and stolen replacements identically.

If you're concerned about identity theft because your license was stolen, consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This is separate from the license replacement and takes a few minutes to do online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license online or by mail?

No. Maryland requires you to appear in person at an MVA office. There is no online or mail-in replacement option for lost licenses. You must bring valid ID and proof of residency to a physical location.

What if I don't have proof of residency?

You cannot complete the replacement without it. Proof of residency must be dated within the last 60 days and show your current Maryland address. If you just moved, a lease or utility bill in your name works. If you live with family, bring a signed letter from them plus a document in their name showing the address.

How long does the plastic card take to arrive?

Standard mail delivery is 7 to 10 business days from the date you visit the MVA office. Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days, so you have time to drive legally while you wait. If you don't receive it within two weeks, call 410-787-7758 to report it.

Do I have to retake the driving test?

No, only the written knowledge test in certain cases. You must retake the written test only if your license expired more than two years ago or if you're replacing an out-of-state license for the first time. If your license expired less than two years ago, you replace it without any test.

What if my license was stolen and I'm worried about identity theft?

Replacing the license itself is the same process as a lost license. Separately, you can place a fraud alert with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion by contacting any one of them — they share the alert across all three bureaus. This is free and takes a few minutes online.