How to Renew Your New Hampshire Driver's License

Where to renew and what you need

You can renew your New Hampshire driver's license in person at any DMV office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the state's portal. The fastest route depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need a new photo, and how soon you need the renewed license in hand.

In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. You will also need to pass a vision screening and have your photo taken. Mail renewal works only if your license is not expired and you do not need a new photo — the state will renew it for five years using your existing photo. Online renewal through the NH DMV portal is available for certain drivers and takes about 10 minutes, but you must have a valid email address and a credit or debit card to pay the fee.

Key Takeaways

In-person renewal at a DMV office requires your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and a vision screening, and takes about 30 minutes.
Mail renewal is only an option if your license is still valid and you do not need a new photo, and takes two to three weeks.
Online renewal through the NH DMV portal is the fastest option for may be able to access drivers and completes in minutes, but you cannot use it if your license is expired or if you need a new photo.
The renewal fee is the same regardless of method — currently $100 for a five-year license — and you can pay by cash, check, or card depending on your renewal route.
Your renewed license will be mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks of approval, whether you renew in person, by mail, or online.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

Walk into any New Hampshire DMV office with your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The office will run a vision screening (you do not need to pass a specific score, but you must be able to read the chart), take a new photo, and process your renewal on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed to you.

DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some locations staying open until 5 p.m. on certain days. The state does not take appointments for standard renewals, so you may wait depending on how busy the office is. The Manchester office (23 Hazen Drive) and the Concord office (23 Hazen Drive) tend to be the busiest. Smaller regional offices in places like Keene, Laconia, and Portsmouth usually have shorter waits. Check the NH DMV website for your nearest office and current wait times before you go.

Mail renewal for valid licenses

If your license is still valid and you do not need a new photo, you can renew by mail. read the renewal form from the NH DMV website (form DSMV 10), fill it out completely, and mail it with your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a copy of your proof of residency to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash through the mail.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet. Your renewed license will be mailed to your address on file. If you need your license sooner, do not use mail renewal — go in person instead. Mail renewal is best for drivers whose licenses are not expiring soon and who do not want to take time off work to visit an office.

Online renewal through the NH DMV portal

The NH DMV offers online renewal through its official portal at nh.gov/safety/dmv. You will need your current license number, your date of birth, your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will verify your identity and allow you to pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired, if you do not need a new photo, and if you have not had any address changes since your last renewal. If any of these conditions do not explore to you, you must renew in person. After you complete the online renewal, your new license will be mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks. You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number — keep this for your records.

Renewal fees and payment methods

The renewal fee for a five-year New Hampshire driver's license is currently $100. This fee is the same whether you renew in person, by mail, or online. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, or card. If you renew by mail, you must send a check or money order — the DMV does not accept cash through the mail. If you renew online, you must use a credit or debit card.

The fee covers the five-year renewal period. If your license expires before you renew, you will pay a late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee when you renew in person. There is no late fee for mail or online renewal as long as you submit your renewal before your license expires.

What happens if your license has expired

If your license is already expired, you cannot use mail or online renewal — you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The DMV will process your renewal the same way as a standard renewal, but you will pay an additional late fee on top of the standard $100 renewal fee. The amount of the late fee depends on how long your license has been expired.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you may need to retake the written driving test and the road test in addition to the vision screening and photo. Contact your local DMV office before you go to confirm what tests you will need to take, because requirements can vary based on how long the license has been expired.

Timeline for receiving your renewed license

If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days on the spot. Your plastic card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. If you renew by mail or online, your new license will be mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks of the DMV receiving or processing your renewal. Do not expect your license to arrive faster than this timeline — the state processes renewals in the order they are received.

If you need to drive before your new license arrives, the temporary paper license is valid for all driving purposes. If you do not receive your new license within three weeks of your renewal date, contact the DMV with your confirmation number or reference number to check the status of your renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have moved to a new address?

If you have moved, you must renew in person at a DMV office so the office can update your address on file. Bring your current license, proof of residency at your new address (dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. You cannot use mail or online renewal if your address has changed.

What counts as proof of residency?

Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement dated within 60 days of your renewal. The document must show your name and your current address. A driver's license or ID card does not count as proof of residency.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew in person or if your current photo is more than 10 years old, the DMV will take a new photo. If you renew by mail or online and your photo is less than 10 years old, the DMV will use your existing photo. You cannot choose to keep your old photo if you renew in person.

What if I wear glasses or contacts?

If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, you must wear them during the vision screening and during your photo. Your renewed license will be marked with a restriction code indicating that corrective lenses are required. If you do not wear them during the vision screening, you may fail and need to retake it.

Can I renew my license if it was suspended or revoked?

No. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the NH DMV to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take to restore it before you attempt to renew.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.