Renewing your Massachusetts license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Massachusetts driver's license through three routes: online at mass.gov/rmv, by mail using the renewal form the RMV sends you, or in person at an RMV office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and is the fastest option if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change, address change, or medical condition that affects your driving. Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after the RMV receives your form. In-person renewal at an RMV office takes about 30 minutes on average, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Massachusetts licenses expire on your birthday. You can renew up to one year before expiration, so you do not have to wait until the last moment. If your license has already expired, you cannot use the online or mail routes — you must renew in person at an RMV office.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at mass.gov/rmv is the fastest option and requires only your license number, date of birth, and a credit or debit card.
- You can renew by mail if you received a renewal notice from the RMV, and the form comes with a prepaid envelope.
- In-person renewal is required if your license has expired, if you have changed your name or address, or if you have a medical condition affecting your driving.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days for online or mail renewal, or you can pick it up at the RMV office if you renew in person.
- Bring your current license, proof of Massachusetts residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment when you renew in person.
Online renewal through the RMV website
Go to mass.gov/rmv and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will need your current Massachusetts driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card. The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer a few security questions to verify your identity. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.
After you complete the online renewal, the RMV will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal — the fee depends on how many years you are renewing for (typically $50 for a five-year license or $100 for a ten-year license).
Online renewal is not available if your license has expired, if you have changed your name or address since your last license was issued, if you wear corrective lenses and want to update that information, or if you have a medical condition that the RMV needs to review. In those cases, you must renew in person or by mail.
Mail renewal using the RMV form
The RMV mails renewal notices to drivers about 60 days before their license expires. The notice includes a renewal form and a prepaid envelope. Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it back to the address on the envelope. Do not send cash — pay by check or money order made out to the "Registrar of Motor Vehicles."
The RMV will process your form within 7 to 10 business days of receiving it. Your new license will arrive by mail after that. If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can read the form from mass.gov/rmv or pick one up at an RMV office. Mail renewal costs the same as online renewal.
Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: you cannot use it if your license has expired, if you have changed your name or address, or if you have medical or vision changes to report. If you lost your renewal notice, you can still renew by mail — just read the form and include a check or money order for the renewal fee.
In-person renewal at an RMV office
Visit an RMV branch office with your current Massachusetts driver's license, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment. Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it. You will fill out an process, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee. The process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how busy the office is.
You can pick up your new license at the RMV office the same day if you renew in person, or it will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Check the RMV website for office hours and locations near you. Some offices are busier than others — early morning or mid-week visits often have shorter waits than afternoons or Saturdays.
In-person renewal is required if your license has expired, if you have changed your name or address, if you need to update your vision or medical information, or if you want to change your photo. It is also the only option if you do not have a credit or debit card for online renewal.
What documents you need for each renewal method
| Renewal Method | Documents Needed | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Current license number, date of birth | Credit or debit card |
| By Mail | Renewal form (mailed by RMV or downloaded) | Check or money order |
| In Person | Current license, proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), Social Security number or document showing it | Cash, check, debit card, or credit card |
Renewal fees and how long your new license lasts
Massachusetts driver's licenses are valid for five or ten years. A five-year license costs $50, and a ten-year license costs $100. You choose the length when you renew. The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you are over 70 years old, your license is valid for five years only, regardless of which option you choose.
Your new license will expire on your birthday in five or ten years, depending on which term you selected. The expiration date will be printed on your new license. You can renew again up to one year before that date.
What to do if your license has already expired
If your license expired more than a few days ago, you cannot drive legally in Massachusetts. You must renew in person at an RMV office. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment. The RMV will process your renewal the same way as a regular renewal, but you will not be able to drive until your new license arrives or you pick it up at the office.
If your license expired while you were out of state or out of the country, bring documentation of where you were (such as a passport stamp or travel records) to the RMV office. This may help explain the gap, though it does not change the renewal process itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Yes, as long as you do not need to change the vision correction information on your license. If your prescription has changed significantly or if you are adding or removing a vision correction requirement, you must renew in person so the RMV can update your record.
What if I changed my address since my last license?
You must renew in person at an RMV office. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and payment. The RMV will issue a new license with your updated address.
How long can I drive on an expired license while waiting for my new one?
You cannot drive on an expired license. If you renewed online or by mail, your current license remains valid until your new one arrives. If your license has already expired, you must renew in person before you can legally drive.
Can I renew my license if I have a medical condition?
It depends on the condition and whether the RMV needs to review it. Some conditions require in-person renewal so the RMV can assess whether you are safe to drive. Contact the RMV at 617-351-4500 or check mass.gov/rmv to find out whether your condition requires an in-person visit.
What if I lost my renewal notice from the RMV?
You can still renew by mail or online. read the renewal form from mass.gov/rmv, or pick one up at an RMV office. You do not need the original notice to renew — you just need your current license and payment.