Connecticut driver's license renewal basics

Connecticut lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office. Which method you can use depends on your age, how long your license has been expired, and whether you need a new photo. Most people under 65 with a valid or recently expired license can renew online or by mail without visiting an office.

Your Connecticut license is valid for six years from your birthday. The DMV sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you don't have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew by mail or online — you'll need to explore in person as if getting a new license, which includes a written test and vision screening.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut residents under 65 with valid or recently expired licenses can renew online at ct.gov/dmv or by mail without visiting a DMV office.
  • Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • Mail renewal requires sending your current license, a completed form, and payment to the DMV address listed on the renewal notice.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, you must visit a DMV office in person and pass a written test and vision screening.
  • Residents 65 and older must renew in person at a DMV office every two years instead of every six years.

Renewing online through the Connecticut DMV website

Online renewal is the fastest option if you're under 65 and your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago. Go to ct.gov/dmv and look for the "Renew Your License" option. You'll need your current Connecticut license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).

The process takes about 10 minutes. You'll answer questions about any changes to your address, medical conditions, or organ donation status. You won't need a new photo — the DMV uses your existing one. After you submit, you'll get a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal costs the same as mail renewal: $72 for a six-year license. If you're 65 or older, you cannot renew online and must visit a DMV office instead.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal works the same way as online renewal in terms of what you get — no new photo, same six-year validity — but takes longer. The DMV sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes a form and an envelope with the DMV's mailing address already printed on it.

Fill out the form, include your current license, and mail it with a check or money order for $72. Do not send cash. Mail the envelope to the address on the notice. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DMV receives it, plus mail time both ways, so plan for 3 to 4 weeks total.

If you didn't receive a renewal notice or lost it, you can read the form from ct.gov/dmv. Look for "License Renewal Form" and print it yourself. Include the same payment and mail it to the address listed on the form.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

You must visit a DMV office in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you're 65 or older, or if you want a new photo on your renewed license. Bring your current Connecticut license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days).

Connecticut has DMV offices in Wethersfield, Norwalk, Waterbury, and New Britain. You can schedule an appointment online at ct.gov/dmv or call 860-263-5700. Walk-ins are accepted but expect longer wait times. Bring a valid payment method — the office takes cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

If you're 65 or older, you must renew every two years instead of every six years. Your in-person visit will include a vision screening and a brief written test about traffic laws and road signs. The test is the same one new drivers take, but you can retake it if you don't pass the first time.

What happens if your license is expired

Driving with an expired Connecticut license is illegal. If you're pulled over, you can be cited and fined. However, if your license expired within the last 30 days and you're actively renewing it, some officers may issue a warning instead of a ticket — but this is not may provide.

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot straightforward renew it. You must explore for a new license in person, which means taking a written test and vision screening. This is treated as a new process, not a renewal, and takes longer than a standard renewal appointment.

If you're waiting for your renewed license to arrive by mail and need to drive before it comes, you can request a temporary paper license at a DMV office. This is valid for 30 days and lets you drive legally while your permanent license is in the mail.

Changing your address or photo during renewal

If you've moved since your last license was issued, you can update your address during renewal. Online and mail renewal both include a space to enter your new address. The DMV will print your new address on the renewed license.

If you want a new photo on your license, you cannot do it by mail or online — you must visit a DMV office in person. The office will take a new photo as part of the in-person renewal process. This is the only way to get a new photo without explore for a completely new license.

If you're changing your name due to marriage, divorce, or legal change, you cannot renew your current license. You must explore for a new license in person and bring a certified copy of the document showing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). This is treated as a new process, not a renewal.

Fees and payment methods

Connecticut charges $72 for a six-year driver's license renewal. This is the standard fee for all renewal methods — online, mail, and in-person. If you're 65 or older and renewing every two years instead of six, the fee is lower but varies; ask at the DMV office or check ct.gov/dmv for the current senior renewal rate.

For online renewal, you can pay with a debit or credit card. For mail renewal, send a check or money order — do not send cash. For in-person renewal, the DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you're paying by check or money order, make it out to "State of Connecticut."

If you're renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher and the process is different. CDL renewals require an in-person visit and a medical examination. Contact the DMV directly for CDL renewal details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Connecticut license if I just moved out of state?

No. Once you move out of Connecticut, you must get a driver's license from your new state. You cannot renew a Connecticut license if you no longer live in Connecticut. If you're moving soon but still live there now, you can renew before you move, but the license will show your current Connecticut address.

What if I lost my license before it expired?

You need to replace it, not renew it. Go to a DMV office with proof of your identity and address. The replacement license will have a new expiration date six years from the date you replace it. You cannot replace a license by mail or online.

How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?

Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after you submit. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from when the DMV receives your envelope, plus mail time both ways, so plan for 3 to 4 weeks total. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can get a temporary paper license at a DMV office.

Do I need a new photo if I renew online or by mail?

No. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The office will take a new photo as part of the renewal process.

What if I'm 65 or older — can I renew online?

No. Connecticut requires drivers 65 and older to renew in person at a DMV office every two years. You'll need to bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address. The office will do a vision screening and a brief written test about traffic laws.