Where to renew and what documents you need

You can renew your Maryland driver's license or ID card either online, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how soon you need it, and what type of ID you hold.

Online renewal through the MVA website is the fastest option if you meet the requirements: your license must not be expired by more than one year, you must have a valid email address on file, and you cannot have certain restrictions or endorsements that require in-person verification. The fee is paid by credit or debit card, and your new card arrives by mail in about 7 to 10 business days.

By-mail renewal works if your license expired within the last year and you have no address changes or other complications. You'll mail in your renewal process (Form DL-43) along with the fee and proof of residency. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.

In-person renewal at an MVA office is required if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need to update your address or other information, or if you want a REAL ID-compliant card. Bring your current or expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You'll receive a temporary license on the spot and your permanent card by mail within 10 business days.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal is fastest if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no address changes or special endorsements.
  • By-mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks and works only if your license is not more than one year expired.
  • In-person renewal at an MVA office is required if your license has been expired for over one year or if you need to update your address.
  • You will need proof of residency and proof of Social Security number for any renewal method.
  • A REAL ID-compliant card requires in-person renewal and additional documentation, but is not required for domestic air travel until 2025.

Online renewal step by step

Start at the Maryland MVA website and log into your account or create one if you don't have one already. You'll need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to set up an account or log in.

Once logged in, select the renewal option and review your current information. Update your address if it has changed. Answer the vision and medical history questions honestly — if you answer yes to any medical condition, you may be directed to renew in person instead.

Pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. The standard fee for a four-year license renewal is $70. After payment, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your new card will be mailed to the address on file. If you need it faster, you cannot expedite an online renewal — you must renew in person or by mail and pay for expedited processing.

By-mail renewal requirements and timeline

read and print Form DL-43 from the MVA website or request it by mail. Fill it out completely with your current information. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee (currently $70 for a four-year renewal) made payable to "Maryland MVA."

Enclose one document proving your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Mail everything to the address listed on the form — typically the MVA's mail processing center in Glen Burnie.

Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the MVA receives your process. You will not receive a temporary license by mail, so plan accordingly if you need to drive before your new card arrives. If your process is incomplete or there are questions, the MVA will contact you by mail, which can add weeks to the process.

In-person renewal at an MVA office

Visit your local MVA office with your current or expired license, one document proving your address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days), and one document proving your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). You do not need an appointment at most offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day.

At the counter, tell the clerk you are renewing. They will verify your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to confirm your address and other information. You'll pay the renewal fee by cash, check, or card. The clerk will issue you a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent card is printed and mailed.

Your new card arrives by mail within 10 business days. If you need it sooner, some MVA offices offer expedited service for an additional fee, though availability varies by location. Call your local office ahead of time to ask whether expedited renewal is available and what the extra cost is.

REAL ID renewal and what it means

A REAL ID-compliant Maryland driver's license or ID card has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal standards for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Maryland began issuing REAL ID cards in 2009, so your current license may already be compliant.

To renew as a REAL ID card, you must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring your current license, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and one additional document proving your identity and date of birth (such as a birth certificate, passport, or certified adoption record). The renewal fee is the same as a standard renewal.

A REAL ID card is not required for domestic air travel until May 2025. After that date, you will need either a REAL ID card, a valid passport, or another federally approved form of identification to board a domestic flight. If you do not plan to fly domestically or enter federal buildings, a standard Maryland driver's license remains valid for driving.

What happens if your license is expired by more than one year

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.

The MVA may require you to retake the vision test and answer updated medical history questions. If you have any medical conditions that affect your ability to drive, the clerk may ask for a medical report from your doctor before issuing your new license. This can delay the process by several days or weeks.

You will receive a temporary paper license at the office and your permanent card by mail within 10 business days. If you have been driving without a valid license, you may face penalties if stopped by law enforcement, so renew as soon as you can.

Address changes and other updates during renewal

If you are moving, you can update your address during renewal. Online renewal allows you to change your address before paying the fee. By-mail renewal requires you to include your new address on the process form. In-person renewal requires you to bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days).

Other changes — such as a name change due to marriage or court order, a change in height or eye color, or corrections to your date of birth — must be made in person at an MVA office. Bring your current license and documents proving the change (such as a marriage certificate or court order). You may be required to pay an additional fee for a name change or other corrections beyond a standard renewal.

If you are updating your address or other information, do not wait until your license expires. You can visit an MVA office to make changes at any time, and the clerk can renew your license at the same visit if it is close to expiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for several years?

Yes, but you must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The MVA may require a vision test and updated medical history questions. You cannot drive legally until your new license arrives, so renew before you need to drive.

How much does a Maryland driver's license renewal cost?

A standard four-year renewal costs $70. A REAL ID renewal costs the same. If you renew in person and request expedited processing, there is an additional fee that varies by office. By-mail renewal costs the same as in-person renewal.

What if I move out of state before my renewal arrives?

Contact the MVA before you move and update your address on file. Your card will be mailed to your new address. If you have already moved and your card was mailed to your old address, contact the MVA to request a replacement card be sent to your new address. You may be charged a replacement fee.

Do I need a REAL ID card to renew my license?

No. A standard Maryland driver's license is still valid for driving and most purposes. You only need a REAL ID card if you plan to fly domestically or enter federal buildings after May 2025. If you want a REAL ID card, you must renew in person and bring additional identity documents.

What if the MVA says my online renewal was rejected?

The MVA will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include expired license (more than one year), address changes, medical history answers that require verification, or endorsements that need in-person review. Renew in person or by mail instead, following the instructions in the rejection letter.