How to Replace Your Maryland Driver's License

What You Need to Do Right Now

To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Maryland driver's license, you must visit a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office in person with proof of identity and residency. You cannot renew or replace a license by mail or online. The MVA will take a new photo, issue a temporary paper license on the spot, and mail your replacement card within 7 to 10 business days. The fee is $70 for a standard replacement.

If your license was stolen, you should also file a police report or make a report through the Maryland State Police website. This creates an official record and protects you if someone tries to use your stolen license. Bring the police report number or confirmation to the MVA office if you have it — it is not required, but it helps document the theft.

Key Takeaways

You must go to an MVA office in person; there is no mail-in or online replacement option for lost, stolen, or damaged licenses.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (passport, military ID, or another state's driver's license) and proof of Maryland residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days).
The replacement fee is $70, and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your card by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license was stolen, file a police report through your local police department or the Maryland State Police website to create an official record.
Bring your Social Security number or have it memorized; the MVA will need it to look up your record and issue the replacement.

Documents and Proof You Must Bring

The MVA requires two pieces of identification: one valid government-issued photo ID and one proof of Maryland residency. Your photo ID can be a U.S. passport, military ID, passport card, or a valid driver's license from another state. If you do not have any of these, you can use a combination of documents — ask the MVA office by phone before you go, because the rules for alternative documents are strict.

For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and current Maryland address. A utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or mortgage statement all work. A credit card bill or insurance policy also counts. Do not bring a voter registration card or government mail alone — the MVA requires a document that shows you pay for something at that address or have a legal claim to live there.

Bring your Social Security number written down or memorized. The MVA will use it to pull up your existing record in their system. If you cannot provide it, the office may not be able to process your replacement that day.

Finding an MVA Office and Making an Appointment

Maryland has 26 MVA offices across the state. You can find the nearest one and check hours on the official MVA website at mva.maryland.gov. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some locations open on Saturday mornings. A few offices have extended evening hours on certain days.

You do not need an appointment to replace a license, but wait times vary widely by location and time of day. If you go early in the morning on a weekday, you will usually wait less than 30 minutes. If you go on a Friday afternoon or Saturday, expect to wait 45 minutes to over an hour. The MVA website shows real-time wait times for most offices, so check before you leave home.

If you want to reduce your wait, some MVA offices offer online appointment scheduling. Not all locations participate yet, so check the MVA website to see if your nearest office has this option. An appointment does not may provide you will be seen at that exact time, but it typically moves you ahead of walk-in customers.

What Happens at the MVA Office

When you arrive, you will check in at the front desk and give your documents to the clerk. They will verify your identity and residency, look up your existing license record using your Social Security number, and confirm that you are the person on file. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Next, you will go to the photo station. The MVA will take a new photograph for your replacement license. You can wear glasses if you normally wear them, but sunglasses are not allowed. Hats and head coverings are allowed for religious reasons. Smile or neutral expression — the rules are the same as for a new license photo.

After your photo is taken, you will pay the $70 replacement fee. The MVA accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. You will then receive a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and has the same legal weight as your plastic card — you can drive with it, use it as ID, and show it to police. Your permanent replacement card will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within 14 days, call the MVA at 410-768-7000 to report it.

Fees and Payment Methods

The standard replacement fee for a lost, stolen, or damaged Maryland driver's license is $70. This fee covers the new card and the administrative cost of reissuing your license. The fee is the same whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged — there is no difference in cost.

The MVA accepts cash, personal check, debit card, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). If you pay by check, write it to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Some offices may have a minimum card payment, so bring cash or a check as a backup if you are paying a small amount, though $70 is high enough that card payment is standard.

If you are a senior (age 70 or older) or a person with a disability, you may be may have access to to a fee reduction. Ask at the counter when you arrive, and bring proof of age or disability status if you have it. The MVA will tell you whether you may have access to.

If Your License Was Stolen

File a police report as soon as you realize your license is stolen. You can file a report in person at your local police department, or you can file online through the Maryland State Police website at mdsp.maryland.gov. The online report takes about 10 minutes and generates a report number when ready. Keep this number — it is proof that you reported the theft.

Bring the police report number or confirmation to the MVA office when you go to replace your license. The MVA will note in your record that the original license was reported stolen. This protects you if someone tries to use your stolen license, because the MVA's system will show that the card is no longer valid.

You do not need a police report to replace your license, but having one is a good safeguard. If you are concerned about identity theft, you can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT or visiting their websites. This is a separate step from the police report and the license replacement.

Timeline and What to Expect After You Leave

Your temporary paper license is valid when ready and will work anywhere a regular license works — at traffic stops, to board a plane, to enter a federal building, and to prove your age. Keep it in your wallet or purse until your permanent card arrives.

Your replacement card will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. The MVA mails it to the address on file in your record, which should be your current Maryland address. If you have moved recently and updated your address at the MVA office during your replacement visit, the card will go to your new address. If you have not updated your address yet, the card will go to your old address, and you will need to pick it up or have someone else retrieve it for you.

If your card does not arrive within 14 days, call the MVA at 410-768-7000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Have your temporary license or Social Security number ready. The MVA can check the status of your replacement card and reissue it if it was lost in the mail.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not forget to bring proof of residency. Many people bring only a photo ID and assume that is enough. The MVA requires both a photo ID and a residency document. If you forget the residency document, you will have to leave and come back, wasting a trip.

Do not bring an expired license as your only form of ID. An expired Maryland license can be used as supporting ID, but you need a current government-issued photo ID (passport, military ID, or another state's license) as your primary ID. If your Maryland license is expired and you have no other photo ID, you cannot replace it at the MVA — you will need to renew it instead, which is a different process.

Do not assume your temporary paper license will work for everything. While it is legal to drive with it, some businesses or agencies may not recognize it as valid ID. If you need your license for a specific purpose (like boarding a plane or entering a federal building), ask that organization in advance whether a temporary paper license is acceptable.

Do not wait to replace a stolen license. The longer you wait, the longer someone else has your license information. Replace it as soon as you realize it is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license if it is damaged but still readable?

Yes. If your license is cracked, faded, warped, or otherwise damaged, the MVA will replace it. You do not need to prove the damage — just bring the damaged card to the office along with your ID and residency proof. The MVA will take it and issue a replacement.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

Tell the MVA clerk when you arrive. You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, or the MVA can look up your record using your name, date of birth, and address. The process takes longer, but it is possible. Call the MVA ahead of time at 410-768-7000 to confirm what documents you will need to bring.

How long is my temporary paper license good for?

Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days. Your permanent card should arrive within 7 to 10 business days, so you will have it well before the temporary expires. If your permanent card does not arrive by day 45, call the MVA to report it.

Can someone else pick up my replacement card if it arrives while I am away?

No. The replacement card is mailed to your address, not held at the MVA office. It will be delivered to your mailbox. If you are away when it arrives, a family member can retrieve it from your mailbox, but the MVA does not hold cards for pickup.

Do I need to replace my license if it was only slightly damaged?

If your license is still readable and the information is clear, you do not have to replace it. But if the damage makes it hard to read, or if you are worried it will not scan properly at a checkpoint, replace it. The $70 fee is worth the peace of mind, and the process takes less than an hour.

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.