Connecticut driver's licenses expire every eight years, and you can renew yours online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office

Connecticut's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you renew your license before it expires, and the method you choose depends on how much time you have and whether your license information has changed. Most people renew online through the DMV website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $72 for an eight-year license. If you cannot renew online—because your address changed, your name changed, or your license is already expired—you will need to renew by mail or visit a DMV office in person.

Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes your renewal number, which you will need if you renew online. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew, but you will need your license number and Social Security number instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Connecticut DMV website is the fastest option and works if your address and name have not changed since your last renewal.
  • You will need either your renewal notice number or your license number and Social Security number to renew online.
  • If your address or name has changed, you must renew in person at a DMV office or by mail, and you will need to bring documents proving the change.
  • An eight-year license costs $72 online or by mail; in-person renewal at a DMV office costs $75 and includes a new photo.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, but waiting until after it expires means you cannot legally drive until the new one arrives.

Renewing online through the DMV website

Go to ct.gov/dmv and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter either your renewal notice number or your license number and Social Security number. The system will pull up your current information and ask you to confirm your address, emergency contact, and organ donor status. You can change your emergency contact or organ donor choice during this step, but you cannot change your address online.

Once you confirm your information, you will pay $72 by credit card or debit card. Connecticut DMV does not accept checks or cash online. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if it expires during that time.

Online renewal works only if your name and address have not changed since your last license was issued. If either has changed, the system will tell you that you must renew in person or by mail.

Renewing by mail when your address or name changed

If your address or name has changed, read the "process for Driver License or Permit" form (Form DL-43) from ct.gov/dmv. Fill out the form completely, including your new address or name. You will also need to include a document that proves the change: a utility bill or lease for an address change, or a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a name change.

Mail the completed form, your current license, and your proof document to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $72 made payable to "State of Connecticut." Do not send cash. Your new license will arrive in 7 to 10 business days after the DMV receives your process. Mail processing typically takes 5 to 7 business days, so plan for 12 to 17 days total from the time you mail the envelope.

Keep a copy of everything you mail for your records. If your process is missing information or documents, the DMV will contact you by mail, which delays the process further.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

Visit any Connecticut DMV office with your current license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, tax return, or W-2), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name or address has changed, bring the same proof documents you would mail: a utility bill for an address change, or a marriage certificate or court order for a name change.

In-person renewal costs $75 and includes a new photo taken at the office. You will receive your new license when ready on a temporary paper document, and your permanent card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on the temporary document until the permanent license arrives.

DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and some locations have extended hours on certain days. You can check wait times and book an appointment online at ct.gov/dmv. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are faster.

What to do if your license is already expired

If your license has already expired, you cannot legally drive, and you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a DMV office or by mail. The process is the same as above, but you will need to bring your expired license along with the other required documents.

If your license expired more than five years ago, the DMV may require you to take a written knowledge test and a road test instead of a straightforward renewal. Call the DMV at 860-263-5700 to ask whether your specific situation requires testing.

Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)

Commercial driver's licenses cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your current CDL, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your address, and a valid medical certificate (MCSA-5875 form) signed by a certified medical examiner. The medical certificate must be dated within 12 months of your renewal date.

CDL renewal costs $75 and includes a new photo. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent card within 7 to 10 business days. If your CDL has been expired for more than 60 days, you may need to retake the written test and road test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?

Yes, but the DMV may require you to take a written test and road test instead of renewing by the standard process. Call 860-263-5700 to find out what applies to your license. If your license expired more than five years ago, testing is almost certain.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online using your license number and Social Security number instead of the renewal notice number. If you cannot remember your license number, visit a DMV office or call 860-263-5700 to look it up.

Can I renew my license if I moved out of state?

No. If you now live outside Connecticut, you must obtain a driver's license from your new state. You can surrender your Connecticut license by mail or at a DMV office, but you cannot renew it remotely.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Online and mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days after the DMV receives your process. Mail delivery adds 5 to 7 days, so expect 12 to 17 days total from the time you mail your process. In-person renewal gives you a temporary license when ready and the permanent card within 7 to 10 business days.

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

Only if you renew in person at a DMV office. Online and mail renewals use your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person.