Where to renew and what documents you need

You can renew your Connecticut driver's license in person at a DMV office, by mail, or online through the Connecticut DMV website — but not all renewal types work through every method. If your license is not expired and you have no medical or legal holds on your record, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If your license is already expired, you must renew in person or online.

For any renewal method, you will need to bring or submit proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and your current Connecticut driver's license or ID card. If you are renewing online, you upload images of these documents. If you are renewing by mail, you mail originals or certified copies. If you are renewing in person, you bring the originals.

Your renewal process itself is form B-4, which you can read from the DMV website or pick up at any DMV office. Online renewal skips the paper form — you fill out the information on the DMV portal instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut offers online renewal for most drivers, which takes about 10 business days and costs $72 for an eight-year license.
  • Mail renewal takes three to four weeks and requires you to send your current license to the DMV, so you will not have a valid ID during that time.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office is fastest if you need your license the same day, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
  • You must renew in person if your license is expired by more than five years, if you have a medical condition that affects driving, or if you have a court order against you.
  • Connecticut licenses are valid for eight years, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.

Online renewal through the Connecticut DMV portal

Online renewal is the fastest option for most people. Go to the Connecticut DMV website, select "Renew Your License," and create an account or log in if you already have one. You will answer questions about your driving record, medical history, and current address, then upload photos of your proof of Social Security number and proof of address. You also upload a new photo of yourself, taken against a plain background with good lighting — the DMV has specific requirements about head position and background color that are listed on the portal before you take the photo.

The fee is $72 for an eight-year license, paid by credit or debit card during the process. Once you submit, the DMV reviews your process and mails your new license to the address you provided. This usually takes about 10 business days from the date you submit, though it can take longer during peak renewal periods. You will receive an email confirmation with a reference number you can use to check the status of your renewal.

Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you have a medical condition that requires a hearing test or vision test beyond what you report online, or if there are any holds or flags on your driving record. The portal will tell you when ready if you are not may be able to access and direct you to renew in person instead.

Mail renewal and what to expect

To renew by mail, read form B-4 from the Connecticut DMV website or request one by phone at 860-263-5700. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address to the address listed on the form. Do not mail certified copies unless the DMV specifically asks for them — send originals or clear photocopies.

Include a check or money order for $72 made out to "Connecticut DMV." Do not send cash. Mail your packet to the DMV address on the form, and keep a copy of everything you send for your records.

Processing takes three to four weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet. Because you are mailing your current license, you will not have a valid Connecticut ID during this time. If you need to drive or show ID before your new license arrives, you can request a temporary paper license by phone or in person at a DMV office. The temporary license is valid for 30 days and costs $5.

In-person renewal at a Connecticut DMV office

Visit any Connecticut DMV office with your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Bring form B-4 filled out and signed, or you can fill it out at the office. You will have your photo taken at the office, answer questions about your medical history and driving record, and pay the $72 fee by cash, check, or card.

If everything is in order, you can receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Your permanent license usually arrives within 10 business days. If you have a medical condition that requires testing, the DMV may schedule you for a vision or hearing test at that visit or ask you to return for testing before your license is issued.

Wait times at DMV offices vary widely depending on the location and time of day. Offices are typically less busy on weekday mornings and more crowded on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. You can check current wait times on the Connecticut DMV website before you go. Some offices offer online appointment scheduling, which reserves a time slot and reduces your wait.

When you must renew in person

You cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired for more than five years. You also must renew in person if you have a medical condition that the DMV needs to evaluate — such as a seizure disorder, vision loss, or hearing loss — because the examiner may need to give you a vision or hearing test or ask you detailed questions about how the condition affects your driving.

If there is a court order, criminal hold, or child support hold on your record, you must resolve that before you can renew. The DMV will tell you if there is a hold when you try to renew online or by mail. Contact the court or the agency that issued the hold to find out what you need to do. If you have unpaid traffic tickets or fines, you may also be blocked from renewal until you pay them or set up a payment plan.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued, you will need to bring proof of the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — along with your other documents. This applies whether you renew in person, by mail, or online.

Fees and what your new license costs

A standard eight-year Connecticut driver's license costs $72 to renew. This is the fee whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you need a temporary paper license while you wait for your permanent one, that costs an additional $5.

If you are renewing an ID card instead of a driver's license, the fee is $36 for eight years. If you need to change your address or name on your license as part of the renewal, there is no additional charge — it is included in the renewal fee.

Payment methods depend on how you renew. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, or card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Connecticut license if it is already expired?

Yes, but the method depends on how long it has been expired. If it expired less than five years ago, you can renew online or in person. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your expired license along with your proof of Social Security number and proof of address.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Online and mail renewal take about 10 business days to three weeks from the date the DMV receives or processes your process. In-person renewal is fastest — you get a temporary paper license the same day and your permanent license arrives by mail within 10 business days. If you need a valid ID when ready, renew in person.

What if I move before my new license arrives?

Contact the Connecticut DMV with your new address before your license is mailed. Call 860-263-5700 or update your address online through your DMV account if you renewed online. If your license is mailed to your old address, you can pick it up there or contact the DMV to have it reissued to your new address.

Do I need a new photo every time I renew?

Yes. Whether you renew online, by mail, or in person, you must provide a new photo. Online renewal requires you to upload a digital photo. In-person renewal includes a photo taken at the office. Mail renewal requires a new photo attached to form B-4 — check the form instructions for photo specifications.

What happens if I renew online but get rejected?

The DMV will email you with the reason and instructions on how to proceed. Most rejections are because of a hold on your record, an expired license that is too old, or a medical condition that requires in-person evaluation. You can then renew in person at a DMV office or resolve the issue and reapply online.