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maryland drivers license renewal - MD

Renew your Maryland Drivers license. Prepare all your MDOT MVA info. There are three different manners in which you can renew your license in Maryland. The following are your options: By mail, at an MVA branch or an MVA kiosk. Every driver has the option of showing up in person to any mva service office. The option of renewing by mail is only valid if you meet all of the required conditions, which we will clearly describe below. Your other alternative is to use our site and download your checklist. We’ll supply you with all of the necessary forms, rules, and steps. Please continue reading below to get started with your Maryland license renewal.

Mississippi Drivers License Renewal Information

Maryland Drivers License Expiration Dates

The expiration date of your license expires on the date listed on your actual driver’s license. Typically, licenses are valid for five (5) years. Please remember that you must carry your license on you, at all times while driving. Your expiration date will always fall on your date of birth.

Renewal Notice

The renewal notice is very important. You will receive the notice via mail and email which will allow you to process your Maryland renewal online. This will renewal will be sent sixty (60) days before the expiration of your drivers license. The MDOT MVA will mail and email the renewal notice to the address and email on file. Please make sure to update the MVA of any changes of address. You are required by law, to report a change of address within sixty (60) days of moving. Instructions on how to renew your license will be clearly explained on this renewal notice. 

Some Maryland drivers will be able to take advantage of the secure and fast online renewal. Other drivers may not, and will have to show up In Person. When showing up in person, you made need to bring extra documents (federal law requires this) or a photograph. The renewal notice will explain your options. 

When To Renew

It’s best if you renew your driver’s license on, or before its expiration date. You can take advantage of the renew by mail option, and submit your renewal fifteen (15) days before it expires. It is against the law to drive with an expired license.

Renew Maryland Drivers License Online

Not everyone is able to take advantage of the convenient online renewal. You will know if you are eligible to renew online by reading the email and mail renewal notice that was sent out to your sixty (60) day before your license expired. Please read it carefully. If you are not eligible to renew online, please read the renew by mail section.

Requirements to Renew Online

  • RENEW ONLINE HERE (IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, READ ABOVE). 
  • Your current license cannot be suspended, canceled or revoked, or expired for more than one (1) year.
  • If your renewal notice states that you need to show documents in order to renew, then you must go in person and schedule an appointment.
  • Your mailing address must be current, or your new drivers license will not be mailed to the correct address. You must update your mailing address before renewing your license.
  • You will need an Email Address AND / OR a Phone Number to enter on the online renewal page. The email address is important since the MVA will use that email to send you renewal notices in the future.
  • Fees for renewal are as follows.
  • You will need to enter your current drivers license number, full name and date of birth.

If you meet all the above conditions, you can RENEW ONLINE HERE. 

  • Your new license or sticker will be sent via mail and should arrive in no more than seven (7) business days. 
  • Note: Your old license will no longer be valid, once you receive your new renewed license in the mail. Since the state of Maryland only permits to carry one (1) license per driver, you must destroy your old expired license.

Note: If you have not received your renewed license and it has been more than fifteen (15) days, please contact the MVA

You can call the following phone numbers: 

Phone: 410-768-7000 

Phone (hearing impaired): 800-492-4575

Fax:  410-787-2988

Maryland Drivers License Renew by Mail

This is a very convenient manner in which to renew your license. In order to renew by mail in Maryland, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You must have been mailed a “renew my mail” package.
  • You must complete the Mail In Driver’s License Renewal application.
  • You must have the same address as the one on your Mail In Driver’s License Renewal Application. The MVA will not send your license to another mailing address. If you need to change your driver’s license address, you must make the change before your renew by mail package was sent out.
  • You must have a valid and verifiable Social Security Number.
  • You should send your renewal by mail two (2) weeks in advance before your birthday.
  • Drivers over forty (40) years of age must have their doctor fill out the “Vision Certification” part of the mail in renewal form.
  • You have not changed your address.
  • You have not changed your name.
  • Send your renewal by mail along with the COST. The fee is currently $30.00

After you meet the requirements below and complete the steps, your license will be sent via mail in approximately two (2) weeks. You need to destroy your old (expired) license. It is against the law to possess more than one license. If you have not received your license in over 2 weeks, you can call the MVA at 1-410-768-7000.

Maryland Drivers License Renewal for Military Drivers

Active duty military drivers and dependents (that live out of state with the active member) can take advantage of the following rule for their Maryland license renewal. You will be given thirty (30) days after you terminate active duty to renew your license. You must keep your current license while on active duty, as long as it has not been suspended, revoked or expired.

Renewal Steps for U.S. Military Drivers

  • Make sure to bring your current driver’s license.
  • You must pass a vision exam at the MVA or have your doctor complete the following DL-043 Vision Form.
  • Bring proof of your Social Security Number. However, if your current license is older than April 19, 2009, you may not have to show proof of your SSN or Legal Presence.
  • If your current expiring/expired license has been expired for more than one 1 year, please note the following:
    • You may have to retake other tests (besides vision which is mandatory).
    • In order to avoid having to retake the Driving, Knowledge and Vision tests, you will need to show proof of your current drivers license, Military ID and military orders paperwork.
    • If you cannot show proof of those items, you will be required to retake the Driving, Knowledge and Vision tests

Renew Maryland Drivers License at a Kiosk Machine

This is a very convenient way in order to take advantage of a quick renewal process. If you are eligible to renew online, then you are automatically eligible to renew at a Kiosk machine.  However there are some things to consider beforehand.

For instance, if you are forty (40) years of age or older, you must show proper vision paperwork. This can be done by the visiting an aprroved MVA Online Vision Certification Service provider. This certificate cannot be older than twelve (12) months by the time that you renew your license.

Renew Maryland Drivers License In Person

You can also walk into any MVA office to renew your license. The cost to renew will be $30 for a 6 year license and $21 for drivers over 65 years of age (4 year license). Click here for the latest FEES. You will need to do the following to renew in person:

  1. Find a local mva service office location.
  2. Bring your renewal notice.
  3. Bring your current drivers license.
  4. Provide your Social Security Number. It must be a valid verifiable Social Security Number and the name must the same one as your documents for proof of Age and Identity. If the name is not the same, then you must make the official with the Social Security Administration (can take as long as 48 hours).
  5. However, if your current license is older than April 19, 2009, you may not have to show proof of your SSN or Legal Presence.
  6. You must pass a vision exam at the MVA.
  7. Bring your Identification documents (read below) and your current drivers license which will serve as identification. If you lost your license, you will need to show two (2) different pieces of ID (read below).
  8. You must pass a vision screening test if over forty (40) years of age and this is your first renewal, or at every other renewal if you are above 40, of every renewal if you are 62 or over.
  9. You need to report any medical condition which could affect your driving. Have your doctor generate a letter describing your disability, along with any medications.
  10. Pay the required $30 cost for your license renewal. See the most currents FEES here.
  11. You can also Register To Vote.

You will be issued your newly renewed Maryland drivers license.

 

Maryland Drivers License Renewal Documents

Proof of Age and Identity (1 Document from below).

If documents are not in english, they must be translated into english. If you are showing a license from another country, it must either be translated to English, or you must bring an International Driver's License.

  • US citizens, immigrants and non-immigrants with valid USCIS documentation able to prove lawful status
    • Birth certificate,
    • U.S. passport (has to be valid and not expired)
    • Consular report of birth abroad
    • Permanent resident card (has to be valid and not expired),
    • Citizenship certificate
    • Naturalization certificate
    • Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) (has to be valid and not expired)
    • Foreign Passport  WITH current valid USCIS Documentation, (has to be valid and not expired)
    • US or MD Birth Certificate for adopted individuals with Adoption Records/Certificate/Decree (Customers born abroad adopted by US citizens.)
    • If you are sixty five (65) years of age or older you may show a military discharge document that shows name and date of birth
  • Immigrants who do not have valid USCIS documentation
    • Foreign passport (has to be valid and not expired)
    • Consular ID Card (has to be valid and not expired)

Proof of Social Security or Maryland Taxes (1 Document from below)

  • Your Social Security Card
  • W-2 which must display your complete social security number and name
  • Social Security Administration Benefits - SSA-1099 -  must display your complete social security number and name
  • Non-SSA-1099 form
  • A document from the Social Security Administration demonstrating non-work authorized status.
  • Note: If you do not have a social security number, then you must show proof of your ineligibility. Please request a letter from the social security administration. Please go to the social security website to learn more.

Proof of Residential Address (2 Documents from below)

  • Car registration or car title from Maryland
  • Property tax bill or receipt
  • Bank statement (checkings or savings or a financial account)
  • Bills (utility, cable or phone)
  • Credit card bills
  • Lease (apartment, rental of any real property)
  • Statement from mortgage account
  • Mail from a government agency (federal, state or local agency)
  • Income tax return from Maryland or a copy of your federal ID
  • Transcript or report card from your high school
  • Business license or sales tax
  • Transcript or tuition statement from a U.S. college / university
  • Financial institution or bank loan document
  • Voter Registration card
  • Selective Service card
  • Professional license from the state of Maryland
  • Any of your residences service contract. Examples include lawn bills, appliance repairs, etc..
  • Voided check with your name and address (must be printed on check) 

Click here for the complete and most up to date and accurate list of documents needed.

Expired License

If your license is currently expired, you can be given a ticket for driving with an expired license. If it has been expired for more than one (1) years, your only option for renewal is go in person to a MVA branch. This is because you will need to retake both the written and driving exams. For your complete list and to get all your Maryland DMV forms and instructions, please click below to get started. Click here to Renew Your Maryland Driver License.

 

Other Driver License Topics in the State of Maryland

  • New Driver's License
  • Renew Driver's License
  • Learner's Permit