Maine driver's licenses expire every six years, and you can renew yours online, by mail, or in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office
Your Maine license expires on your birthday in the sixth year after you received or last renewed it. The state lets you renew up to one year before that date, which gives you a window to handle it without rushing. You do not have to wait until the expiration date arrives.
Maine offers three renewal paths: online through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles website (the fastest option for most people), by mail if you prefer not to visit an office, or in person at any BMV location. Which one you can use depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need a new photo, and whether your address or name has changed.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $35 for a six-year license; you can do it anytime in the year before your birthday.
- You are may be able to access for online renewal only if your current license is valid, you have not changed your address or legal name, and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal requires the same conditions as online renewal but takes two to three weeks; you send in your current license and a check.
- In-person renewal at a BMV office is required if your license has expired, your address or name changed, or you want a new photo.
- Maine does not charge a separate fee for a new photo during renewal; the renewal fee covers it.
Online renewal: the fastest route if your information has not changed
If your license is still valid, your address and legal name are the same as on your current license, and you do not need a new photo, you can renew online through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website. The process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your current license number, your Social Security number, and a credit or debit card to pay the $35 renewal fee.
After you complete the online form and payment, the BMV mails your new license to the address on file. Standard delivery takes about one to two weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even after your birthday passes, as long as you have proof that you submitted your renewal request.
Online renewal is not available if your license has already expired, if you have changed your address or legal name since your last renewal, or if you want a new photo. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail renewal: slower but no office visit required
Mail renewal follows the same rules as online renewal: your license must still be valid, your address and name must match your current license, and you cannot request a new photo. You will need to print and complete the renewal form from the Maine BMV website, include your current license, and send a check for $35 payable to "State of Maine."
Mail the form, your license, and payment to the address listed on the BMV website. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the BMV receives your envelope. You can drive on your current license during this time. Once approved, your new license is mailed to your address on file.
Mail renewal is useful if you live far from a BMV office or prefer not to visit in person. However, if you need a new photo, your address or name has changed, or your license has expired, you cannot use this method.
In-person renewal: required when your information changed or your license expired
You must renew in person at a Maine BMV office if your license has expired, if you have moved and need to update your address, if you have changed your legal name, or if you want a new photo. Bring your current license (or expired license if it has lapsed), proof of your current address, and payment of $35.
Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or other official document showing your name and current Maine address. If you changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The BMV takes your new photo on the spot.
In-person renewal is usually completed the same day. Your new license is mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If your current license has already expired, you should not drive until you have completed the renewal process and received your new license.
What to bring to a BMV office
| Situation | Documents to bring |
|---|---|
| Standard in-person renewal (address and name unchanged) | Current license, payment ($35) |
| Address has changed | Current license, proof of current address, payment ($35) |
| Legal name has changed | Current license, certified name-change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of current address, payment ($35) |
| License has expired | Expired license, proof of current address, payment ($35) |
Finding a Maine BMV office and checking wait times
Maine has BMV offices in most towns and cities. You can find the location nearest you and check current wait times on the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website. Some offices are busier than others, especially early in the month or on Fridays. If you want to avoid a long wait, calling ahead or visiting during mid-week afternoons often means shorter lines.
A few BMV offices offer appointment scheduling. Check the website for your local office to see whether appointments are available. If appointments are offered, booking one guarantees you a specific time and eliminates the wait.
Renewing a license that has already expired
If your license expired more than a few months ago, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to a BMV office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and $35. The BMV will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot.
Once your license has expired, you should not drive until you have completed the renewal and received your new license in the mail. If you are stopped by law enforcement while driving with an expired license, you can face a fine. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, contact your local BMV office about temporary driving privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license before the one-year window opens?
No. Maine allows renewal starting one year before your birthday. If you try to renew earlier, the system will reject your request. You can mark your calendar for one year before your birthday to know when you can start the process.
What if my address changed but I do not want a new photo?
You still must renew in person at a BMV office because an address change requires verification. You cannot use online or mail renewal. However, you can ask the BMV staff not to take a new photo if your current license photo is recent and acceptable to you—though the office may require a new one depending on how old your current photo is.
How long can I drive after my license expires while waiting for the new one?
If you renewed online or by mail before your license expired, you can drive on your current license until your new one arrives. If your license has already expired, you should not drive until you receive the new license. Keep proof of your renewal submission (a confirmation email or receipt) in your vehicle in case you are stopped.
What if I lost my current license before renewal?
You cannot use online or mail renewal if you do not have your current license. You must visit a BMV office in person and report it lost. The office will issue a replacement license and can renew it at the same time if your renewal window is open. Bring proof of your address and payment for both the replacement and renewal fees.
Do I need to pass a vision test or written test to renew?
No. License renewal in Maine does not require a written test or road test. You may be asked to read a few lines on a vision chart at the BMV office if you are renewing in person, but this is a quick check, not a full vision exam. If you fail the vision check, the BMV will refer you to an eye care provider before issuing your license.