Where and how to renew your Connecticut license

Connecticut lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need a new photo.

If your license hasn't expired yet or expired less than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. Online renewal is the fastest route — you can complete it from home in about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

Mail renewal takes longer (two to three weeks) but requires no trip to a DMV office. In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 30 minutes once you're called, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut offers online renewal for licenses that haven't expired or expired within the last two years, with your new license arriving in 7 to 10 business days.
  • Mail renewal is an option for non-expired or recently expired licenses but takes two to three weeks and requires you to mail in your current license.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license expired more than two years ago.
  • You'll need your Social Security number, current address, and payment method (credit or debit card for online, check or money order for mail) to renew.
  • Connecticut charges $72 for a six-year renewal or $48 for a four-year renewal, depending on your age and license type.

Online renewal through the Connecticut DMV website

The Connecticut DMV website (ct.gov/dmv) has an online renewal portal. You'll need your current license number, Social Security number, date of birth, and a credit or debit card. The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer security questions to verify your identity.

Online renewal works only if your license hasn't expired or expired within the last two years. You cannot upload a new photo online — Connecticut will use the photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person.

After you submit your process and payment, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue using your current license until the new one arrives.

Mail renewal by sending in your current license

To renew by mail, you'll need to print and complete the process form from the Connecticut DMV website, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and payment. The form is called the "Driver License Renewal process" and is available as a PDF read.

Mail your completed process, current license, and payment (check or money order made out to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles") to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. You won't have a valid license during this period, so plan ahead if you need to drive.

Like online renewal, mail renewal uses your existing photo and is only available if your license hasn't expired or expired within the last two years. If you need a new photo or your license is more than two years expired, you must go to a DMV office in person.

In-person renewal at a Connecticut DMV office

Visit a DMV office if your license expired more than two years ago, if you want a new photo, or if you prefer to renew face-to-face. Bring your current license (or state ID), proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 30 days).

You can visit any Connecticut DMV office — you don't have to go to the one in your town. Check the DMV website for office locations, hours, and current wait times. Many offices allow you to make an appointment online, which can cut your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are accepted but may have longer waits.

Bring a payment method: cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The fee is $72 for a six-year license or $48 for a four-year license, depending on your age. You'll take a new photo at the office, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than two years

Connecticut requires you to renew in person at a DMV office if your license has been expired for more than two years. You cannot use online or mail renewal. The DMV treats this as a full renewal rather than a straightforward extension, so you'll need to bring the same documents you would for a first-time license: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address.

You'll also need to pass a vision test at the office. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, bring them with you. The vision test is quick and part of the standard in-person renewal process.

Fees and payment methods for Connecticut license renewal

Connecticut charges $72 for a six-year license renewal or $48 for a four-year renewal. The fee depends on your age — drivers 65 and older pay less. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at a DMV office. For online renewal, you must use a credit or debit card. For mail renewal, send a check or money order.

Make checks or money orders payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles." Do not send cash by mail. If you're renewing in person, bring exact change or be prepared for the office to process your card payment.

Timeline: How long each renewal method takes

Online renewal is the fastest: your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days after you submit your process. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope, so add a few days for mail delivery both ways. In-person renewal at a DMV office is when ready for the transaction itself — you'll get a temporary paper license on the spot — but your permanent license arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If you're close to an expiration date and need to drive before your new license arrives, renew in person to get a temporary license you can use right away. For online and mail renewal, your current license remains valid until it expires, so you can continue driving during the processing period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Connecticut license if I moved to another state?

No. You must have a Connecticut address on file to renew a Connecticut license. If you've moved out of state, you'll need to get a license from your new state instead. Contact your new state's DMV for their requirements.

What if my name has changed since my current license was issued?

If you've changed your name (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), you'll need to renew in person and bring proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Online and mail renewal won't work for name changes.

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.

What if my license was suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. Contact the Connecticut DMV directly to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take to restore it before you can renew.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. Connecticut allows you to renew up to six months before your license expires. Renewing early doesn't extend your license beyond the normal six-year period — your new expiration date is calculated from your current expiration date, not from the renewal date.