What you need to know about Maryland driver's license renewal
In Maryland, you can renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The method you choose depends on your license type, how much time you have, and whether your address or other information has changed. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office, but some situations require an in-person visit.
Your Maryland license is valid for five years from the date it was issued. The MVA sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the MVA website takes about 10 minutes and costs $109 for a five-year license, but only works if your address has not changed and your license is not suspended or revoked.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and costs $109, and requires you to send in your current license and a completed form.
- In-person renewal at an MVA office is required if your address changed, your name changed, you need a REAL ID, or your license was suspended or revoked.
- You will need proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement) if you renew in person and your address has changed.
- An expired Maryland license can still be used for identification but not for driving; you cannot legally drive on an expired license.
Renewing online through the MVA website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Go to the Maryland MVA website, select "Renew a Driver's License," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. You will answer questions about whether your information is still correct, upload a new photo (or use your existing one), and pay the $109 renewal fee by credit or debit card.
You are may be able to access for online renewal only if all of these are true: your address has not changed, your name has not changed, your license is not suspended or revoked, and you do not need a REAL ID. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person.
After you complete the online form, your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if it has expired.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal takes longer than online but works for most people. read and print the DL-43 form from the MVA website, fill it out completely, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $109 to the address listed on the form.
Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the MVA receives your envelope. You can continue to drive on your current license during this time. Mail your renewal at least three weeks before your license expires to avoid driving on an expired license.
Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your address and name must not have changed, your license must not be suspended or revoked, and you cannot use this method to get a REAL ID. If you need any of those things, go in person.
Renewing in person at an MVA office
You must renew in person if your address changed, your name changed, your license is suspended or revoked, or you want to add REAL ID to your license. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $109 in cash, check, or card.
If your name changed, also bring a document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing a suspended or revoked license, you may need to pay additional reinstatement fees and provide proof that the reason for suspension has been resolved (for example, proof of insurance if it was suspended for lack of coverage).
Visit the MVA office locator on the Maryland MVA website to find the office nearest you and check its hours. Many offices now use an online appointment system; you can reserve a time slot instead of waiting in line. Walk-ins are accepted but may have longer wait times.
REAL ID and standard license renewal
Maryland offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a REAL ID-compliant license. A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A standard license does not have the star and cannot be used for these purposes after May 7, 2025.
If your current license is standard and you want to upgrade to REAL ID, you must renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or legal status (a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers). The cost is the same: $109 for five years.
If your current license is already REAL ID and you are renewing, you can renew online or by mail without upgrading again. REAL ID status carries over to your new license.
What to do if your license has already expired
You cannot legally drive on an expired license, but you can still renew it. Use the same methods as above: online, by mail, or in person. An expired license is still valid for identification purposes (showing your age at a store, for example), but not for operating a vehicle.
If you have been driving on an expired license and are stopped by police, you can be cited for driving with an expired license. Renew as soon as possible. The renewal process is the same whether your license expired last month or last year; there is no separate "reinstatement" fee unless your license was suspended or revoked for a specific reason.
Fees and payment methods
A standard five-year driver's license renewal costs $109 in Maryland. This fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you are upgrading from a standard license to REAL ID, the cost is still $109.
Online and in-person renewal accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. Do not send cash by mail. If you are renewing in person and do not have exact change, MVA offices can process card payments or provide change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been suspended?
No, not until the suspension is lifted. You must resolve the reason for suspension first (pay outstanding fines, complete a required course, or provide proof of insurance, depending on why it was suspended). Once the suspension is cleared, you can renew in person at an MVA office. Bring documentation showing the suspension has been resolved.
How long can I drive after my license expires?
You cannot drive at all on an expired license. Driving on an expired license is illegal and can result in a citation. Renew before your expiration date, or if it has already expired, renew when ready and do not drive until your new license arrives or you receive a temporary renewal document from the MVA.
What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?
You must renew in person at an MVA office and bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). Online and mail renewal do not work if your address has changed. You can update your address at the same time you renew your license.
Do I need an appointment to renew at an MVA office?
Many Maryland MVA offices now offer online appointment scheduling, which lets you reserve a time slot and avoid waiting in line. Check the MVA website to see if your local office uses appointments. Walk-ins are still accepted but typically have longer wait times, especially during busy hours.
What happens if I renew online but my information was incorrect?
Contact the MVA as soon as possible. If you made a mistake on your online renewal form (for example, you said your address had not changed when it actually had), call the MVA customer service line or visit an office in person to correct it before your new license is mailed. Corrections made after the license is printed may require a replacement license, which could take additional time.