How to Renew Your Maryland Driver's License

Maryland driver's licenses expire every five years, and you can renew yours online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office

Your Maryland driver's license expires on your birthday five years after you received it. The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) sends a renewal notice to your address on file about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for that notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. The method you choose depends on whether your address has changed, whether you need a REAL ID-compliant license, and how quickly you need the new card.

If your license is already expired, you can still renew it using the same methods, but you cannot legally drive until the new license arrives. The MVA does not charge a penalty for renewing after expiration, but the longer you wait, the longer you drive without a valid license.

Key Takeaways

Maryland licenses expire on your birthday every five years, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $109 for a standard license, but you cannot change your address or photo online.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and payment.
In-person renewal at an MVA office takes about an hour and allows you to update your address, change your photo, or add REAL ID status in one visit.
You must renew in person if your address has changed, if you want a REAL ID license, or if you need a new photo.

Renewing online through the MVA website

Online renewal is the fastest option if your address has not changed and you do not need a REAL ID license. Go to the Maryland MVA website, select "Renew Your License Online," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your current information and ask you to confirm or update your name, address, and emergency contact. You will also declare whether your vision, medical conditions, or restrictions have changed since your last renewal.

The fee for online renewal is $109 for a standard five-year license. You pay by debit card or credit card during the transaction. The MVA mails your new license to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a confirmation email with a transaction number. Keep that number in case you need to check the status of your renewal or contact the MVA.

Online renewal does not allow you to change your photo, update your address, or add REAL ID status. If any of those explore to you, you must renew in person or by mail.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal works if your address has not changed and you do not need a new photo or REAL ID status. read or request the Maryland Driver's License Renewal process (Form DL-43) from the MVA website. Fill in your name, license number, and date of birth. Sign and date the form. Include your current driver's license (the MVA will return it to you) and a check or money order for $109 payable to the Motor Vehicle Administration.

Mail the form, your license, and payment to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the MVA receives your envelope. There is no way to track mail renewals in real time, so allow extra time if your renewal date is approaching. Once processed, the MVA mails your new license to the address on your form.

Mail renewal is useful if you prefer not to visit an office or if you cannot renew online for technical reasons. However, it is slower than online renewal and does not allow address changes or photo updates.

Renewing in person at an MVA office

In-person renewal is required if your address has changed, if you want a REAL ID-compliant license, or if you need a new photo. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $109. If you are adding REAL ID status, you will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return) and a document proving your identity and date of birth (your passport, birth certificate, or military ID).

Visit the MVA website to find the office nearest you and check wait times. Many offices allow you to reserve an appointment online, which can cut your wait from an hour to 15 minutes. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Bring all documents with you; if you are missing anything, the office will not process your renewal and you will have to return another day.

In-person renewal is completed on the spot. You will have a new photo taken (unless you request to keep your current photo), answer health and vision questions, and pay the fee. The MVA mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while you wait for the plastic card.

REAL ID status and what it means for renewal

A REAL ID-compliant license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID license or a passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If your current license does not have a gold star, you can add REAL ID status during renewal.

Adding REAL ID requires an in-person visit to an MVA office. You must bring proof of your Social Security number, proof of identity and date of birth, and proof of your current address. The fee remains $109; there is no extra charge for REAL ID status. If you do not add REAL ID during renewal, you can add it later at any MVA office by bringing the same documents.

If you renew online or by mail, your new license will have the same status as your current one. If your current license does not have a gold star and you do not add it during renewal, your new license will not have one either.

What to do if your license is expired or expiring soon

If your license expired within the last year, you can renew it using any of the three methods above. The MVA does not charge a penalty or require you to retake the written test. However, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by police, an expired license is a violation.

If your license expires in the next 30 days and you have not yet renewed, choose in-person renewal or online renewal. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks, which may not be fast enough. If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days, so you can drive legally while waiting for your plastic card. Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days, so you will have a gap where your license is expired; plan accordingly.

If your license has been expired for more than a year, the same renewal process applies, but you should renew as soon as possible to avoid driving without a valid license.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. If you no longer live in Maryland, you must surrender your Maryland license and obtain a license from your new state. Contact your new state's motor vehicle agency to begin that process. You cannot renew a Maryland license if you are not a Maryland resident.

What if my name has changed since my last renewal?

If you changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person at an MVA office. Bring your current driver's license, a certified copy of the document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your current address. Online and mail renewal do not allow name changes.

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

Online and mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days for the MVA to mail your new license. In-person renewal also takes 7 to 10 business days, but you receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days so you can drive legally while you wait. Business days do not include weekends or state holidays.

Can I renew my license if I wear glasses or contacts?

Yes. During renewal, you will be asked whether you need corrective lenses to drive. If you do, your license will have a restriction code. You must wear your glasses or contacts whenever you drive. If you renew online, you confirm your vision status through the form. If you renew in person, the MVA will test your vision at the office.

What if I lost my current license before renewal?

You cannot renew by mail or online without your current license. You must visit an MVA office in person and request a replacement license. Bring your proof of identity, proof of date of birth, and proof of your current address. The replacement fee is $35, separate from any renewal fee. Once you have your replacement, you can renew it using any method when it expires.

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.