Top Determine the Status of Your License

To maintain your legal status as a driver, you must renew your license every five years (it expires on your birthday).

You must also maintain car insurance. If you're a first time driver, or you're looking for lower rates, you can shop online at our Insurance Center.

Valid License

You must renew your Class D license every five years, using one of three options:

• Online

• In person

• By mail

If you have any doubt to the current status of your license, it's always a good idea to order a driving record report.

NOTE: Commercial license operators have different renewal requirements than Class D license drivers.

Expired License

It's your responsibility to keep your license current. Otherwise, getting caught by the police while driving with an expired license will result in hefty fines. If you allow your license to remain expired for six months or longer you will be asked to re-take the written and road tests when renewing.

Depending on your situation, you have three renewal options:

• By mail

• Online

• In person

If you're just not sure of the exact standing of your license, ordering a driving record report will update you on your current status and provide insight to whether you can renew online, by mail, or in person.

Suspended License

Ordering a driving record report will inform you on where your suspension stands and if and when you can apply for reinstatement. When cleared for reinstatement, you will probably notice increased insurance rates. You can either accept as is, or try shopping for a new insurance carrier.

Visit our Suspended License page for complete information, including fines and reinstatement procedures.

Lost License

You must apply for a duplicate if your license is lost or stolen.

Top Check Your Renewal Notice

You should receive a renewal application approximately 90 days before your license's expiration date.

If you qualify for the state's Good Driver Program, you'll be given the option of renewing by mail or online every other time you renew. You may qualify if you have not received more than four moving violations and no suspensions, revocations, or reckless driving convictions in the five years before your renewal.

You may renew six months prior to your license's expiration date.

Top Renew Online

You can renew online if:

• You did not use this option during the last renewal.

• During the last five years you did not receive any suspensions, revocations, reckless driving convictions, or more than four reportable violations.

The online process takes five minutes. Have your renewal notice and a credit card handy to pay the $25 fee, or $13 if 65 or older.

You'll be mailed either a new digitized license or a renewal sticker to be placed on the back of your current license. Renew accordingly, for processing takes anywhere from two to eight weeks.

Top Renew By Mail

You can renew by mail if:

• You did not use this option during the last renewal.

• During the last five years you did not accumulate any suspensions, revocations, reckless driving convictions, or more than four reportable violations.

To renew, you must:

1. Complete and sign the renewal notification form.
2. Include a check for $25, or $13 if 65 or older.
3. Mail to the address on the renewal notification.

Processing takes two to eight weeks. If your license expires during this time period, consider renewing in person. You'll receive in the mail either a new digitized license or a renewal sticker to be placed on the back of your current license.

Top Renew in Person

Visit any driver license office and bring:

• Your expiring license.

• Cash, check or credit card to pay the $25 renewal fee ($13 if 65 or older).

You'll receive a temporary license until your new digitized license or renewal sticker arrives in the mail within two to eight weeks.

Top Update Your Driving Skills

When renewing your license you should also give thought to refreshing your driving skills by enrolling in a supplemental traffic driving school course. Although not mandatory, it will hone your road-awareness and maybe even reduce your insurance rates.

If your current carrier does not offer a discount for taking a traffic school class, you can always check out the different rates and policies at our Insurance Center.

Our content is updated based on input from users like you. Help make it better!