What "current" means for your Maryland license
A current Maryland driver's license is one that has not expired and is not suspended or revoked. Maryland issues licenses that are valid for five years from the date of issue if you are under 65, or eight years if you are 65 or older. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your card. If that date has passed, your license is no longer current, and you cannot legally drive.
Being current is different from being in good standing. Your license can be current (not expired) but suspended because you owe traffic fines, failed to pay child support, or did not show up for a court date. A suspension means you cannot drive even though the card itself has not reached its expiration date.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland driver's licenses expire every five years for drivers under 65 and every eight years for drivers 65 and older, with the expiration date printed on the front of your card.
- You can renew your license online through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) website if you have no suspensions, medical restrictions, or address changes that require in-person verification.
- Renewing before your license expires prevents driving with an expired license, which is a traffic violation and can result in a fine.
- Your license can be suspended for unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or failure to appear in court, even if the card has not expired.
- You can check your license status and suspension history on the MVA website or by calling the MVA at 410-787-7758.
How to renew your Maryland license before it expires
The fastest way to renew is online through the Maryland MVA website if you meet the requirements. You can renew online if your license is not suspended, you have no medical conditions that need updating, and your address has not changed. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $109 for a five-year renewal (or $174 for eight years if you are 65 or older). Your new card arrives by mail in about two weeks.
If you cannot renew online, you must visit an MVA office in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If your address has changed, bring two documents showing your new address. The in-person renewal takes about 30 minutes at most MVA locations, though wait times vary. You pay the same fee and receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your card is mailed.
You can renew up to 180 days before your license expires. Many people renew as soon as they become may be able to access to avoid the rush near the expiration date.
What happens if your license expires
Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in Maryland. A police officer can stop you and issue a citation, which carries a fine of up to $500 for a first offense. The violation also goes on your driving record and can affect your insurance rates.
If you are caught driving with an expired license, you have the option to show proof of renewal at a later court date. If you can show the court that you renewed before the court date, the charge may be dismissed. This is why renewing promptly matters — it gives you a defense if you are stopped between the expiration date and when your new card arrives.
Suspensions that make your license not current
A suspension means the MVA has taken away your right to drive, even if your license card has not expired. The most common reasons for suspension in Maryland are unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, and failure to appear in court for a traffic or criminal matter. Other reasons include accumulating too many points on your driving record, driving with a suspended license, or medical conditions that make you unsafe to drive.
You cannot drive legally while suspended, and doing so is a separate criminal offense that can result in jail time. If you are suspended, you must resolve the underlying issue — pay the fine, appear in court, or satisfy the child support obligation — before you can request reinstatement.
To learn about your license is suspended, visit the MVA website and use the license status checker, or call the MVA at 410-787-7758. You will need your license number or Social Security number. The MVA can tell you the reason for the suspension and what you need to do to clear it.
Reinstatement after a suspension
The steps to get your license back depend on why it was suspended. If the suspension was for unpaid fines, you must pay the fine in full or set up a payment plan with the court. If it was for failure to appear, you must appear in court or contact the court to reschedule. If it was for child support arrears, you must contact the child support enforcement office and either pay what you owe or arrange a payment plan.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, contact the MVA to request reinstatement. You may need to provide proof that you have paid the fine or satisfied the obligation. Some suspensions require you to visit an MVA office in person; others can be cleared by phone or mail. The MVA website lists the specific steps for each type of suspension.
There is no fee to reinstate your license once the suspension is cleared, but you may have to pay court costs or child support enforcement fees as part of resolving the underlying issue.
Checking your license status online
The Maryland MVA website has a license status checker that shows whether your license is current, expired, or suspended. Go to the MVA homepage, select "Check License Status," and enter your license number or Social Security number and date of birth. The system will tell you your expiration date, whether you have any active suspensions, and the reason for any suspension.
This tool is free and available 24 hours a day. It is the fastest way to learn about you need to renew or if there is a suspension blocking you from driving. If the system shows a suspension, it will also show what you need to do to clear it.
Renewing by mail if you cannot go online or visit an office
If you are unable to visit an MVA office or renew online, you can request a renewal form by mail. Call the MVA at 410-787-7758 and ask them to send you a renewal process. Fill it out, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it back with a copy of your proof of residency. Processing takes about four to six weeks, which is longer than online or in-person renewal, so use this option only if the other methods are not possible.
The mail renewal option works best if you have no address changes, no suspensions, and no medical conditions that need updating. If any of those explore to you, you will need to renew in person at an MVA office instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is expired but I have already renewed it online?
Yes. Once you complete the online renewal, you are legally allowed to drive even though your new card has not arrived yet. The MVA records the renewal in the system when ready, and police can verify it if you are stopped. Keep your old license with you until the new one arrives.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?
You must visit an MVA office in person. Bring your proof of residency and Social Security card. The MVA will issue a replacement license and renew it at the same time. The fee is $109 for a five-year license (or $174 for eight years if you are 65 or older).
Does my license stay current if I move to another state?
No. Your Maryland license expires on its printed date regardless of where you live. If you move, you should get a license from your new state. However, you can renew your Maryland license by mail or online before it expires, even if you no longer live in Maryland.
How do I know if I have points on my license that could lead to suspension?
Maryland uses a point system where traffic violations add points to your record. If you accumulate 12 or more points within two years, your license is suspended. You can check your point total on the MVA website using the license status checker, or call the MVA at 410-787-7758.
Can I renew my license if I owe child support?
No. If you owe child support, the MVA will suspend your license and will not renew it until the arrears are paid or a payment plan is in place. Contact the Maryland Child Support Enforcement Administration to resolve the debt before attempting to renew.