What you need to do to get a replacement Maryland license
To replace a lost Maryland driver's license, you must visit a Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office in person with proof of identity and residency. Maryland does not issue replacements by mail or online. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot if you pass the identity check, and your permanent plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
The process is straightforward but requires the right documents. You cannot skip the in-person visit, and you cannot use a temporary license to drive until you have it in hand — the MVA gives it to you before you leave the office.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an MVA office in person with a valid photo ID and proof of Maryland residency to replace a lost license.
- Bring one document from the identity list (passport, military ID, or Real ID-compliant ID) and one proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days).
- The replacement fee is $70 for a standard license or $100 for a Real ID-compliant license, and you receive a temporary paper license when ready.
- Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; do not drive until you have it or the temporary paper license in hand.
- If your license was stolen, you can report it to the MVA during your replacement visit, and they will flag it in the system.
Documents you must bring to the MVA office
Bring one form of photo identification and one proof of residency. The MVA will not accept expired documents for residency, and they must be dated within 60 days of your visit.
For photo ID, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a military ID, a passport card, or a tribal ID. If you do not have any of these, you can bring an expired Maryland driver's license or an out-of-state license that is not expired. The MVA accepts these as secondary proof of identity.
For proof of residency, bring one of these: a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or phone), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, or a government-issued document with your current Maryland address. The document must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days.
The replacement fee and what you receive
A standard Maryland driver's license replacement costs $70. If you want a Real ID-compliant license instead, the fee is $100. Real ID licenses have a gold star in the upper right corner and are required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting in 2025, though standard licenses remain valid for driving.
You do not have to choose Real ID at replacement — you can renew to Real ID later. Most people replace with a standard license to save money and upgrade when their license expires naturally.
You pay the fee at the MVA office when you submit your documents. The MVA accepts cash, debit, and credit cards.
Getting your temporary license and waiting for the permanent one
After the MVA verifies your identity and processes your replacement, they print a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for driving when ready and remains valid for 45 days. You can drive with it while you wait for your permanent plastic license to arrive.
Your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The MVA mails it to the address you provided at the office. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact the MVA to confirm it was mailed and check whether it was returned as undeliverable.
Once your permanent license arrives, the temporary paper license is no longer valid. Destroy it or keep it as a record — you do not need to return it to the MVA.
How to find an MVA office near you and avoid long waits
Maryland has 26 MVA offices across the state. You can find the nearest one and check current wait times on the MVA website at mva.maryland.gov. The site shows real-time wait times for each location, updated every 15 minutes.
Offices in Baltimore, Annapolis, and suburban areas tend to have longer waits, especially on Fridays and during lunch hours. Rural and smaller-city offices usually move faster. If you have flexibility, visiting early in the morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday typically means a shorter wait.
You do not need an appointment for a replacement license. Walk-ins are accepted at all offices during business hours, though you can call ahead to ask about current wait times if the website is not updated recently.
Reporting a stolen license to the MVA
If your license was stolen rather than lost, tell the MVA staff when you arrive for your replacement. They will flag the old license number in the system so it cannot be used fraudulently. This takes no extra time — it happens during the normal replacement process.
You do not need to file a police report first, though you may want to do so if you believe someone has already used your license or personal information. The MVA's flag in their system prevents the stolen license from being used to obtain vehicle registration or other MVA services.
What to do if you cannot visit an MVA office in person
Maryland requires an in-person visit for all license replacements. There is no exception for people who are homebound, out of state, or unable to travel. If you are temporarily out of Maryland, you must wait until you return to visit an office.
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting an office, contact the MVA directly at 410-787-7758 to ask about possible accommodations. The MVA may be able to arrange a visit at a different location or discuss alternatives, but they do not offer mail-in or online replacements under any circumstance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with just the temporary paper license?
Yes. The temporary paper license is valid for driving when ready after the MVA issues it and remains valid for 45 days. You do not have to wait for the permanent plastic license to arrive. Once your permanent license comes in the mail, the temporary is no longer valid.
What if I moved and my address changed since I lost my license?
Bring proof of your current address to the MVA office. Your new license will be printed with your updated address. If you moved recently and do not have a utility bill or lease in your name yet, bring a bank statement or government mail addressed to you at the new address, dated within 60 days.
How long does the whole process take from start to finish?
The in-person visit at the MVA usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on wait times. You leave with a temporary paper license. Your permanent license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Total time from visit to having the permanent card is roughly two weeks.
Can I replace my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. If your license is suspended or revoked, the MVA will not issue a replacement. You must resolve the suspension or revocation first by paying fines, completing required programs, or meeting other conditions set by the court or MVA. Contact the MVA to find out what you owe before you visit an office.
What if my permanent license never arrives?
Contact the MVA at 410-787-7758 or visit mva.maryland.gov to report it. They can check whether it was mailed and to which address. If it was lost in the mail, they will reissue it. There is usually no additional fee for a reissue within 30 days of the original order.