Renewing Your License in Connecticut

Renew Your Connecticut Driver's License

To drive legally, all drivers in Connecticut are required to hold a valid CT driver's license. If your driver's license will be expiring soon, you'll need to renew it through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

For details about other types of driver's licenses or permit in CT, please go to any of our following pages:

• Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals
• ID cards
• Driver permits
• Motorcycle licenses

When to Renew Your CT Driver's License

The Connecticut DMV allows you to renew your driver's license as early as 180 days before it expires.

Connecticut driver's licenses are valid for 6 years. If you're 65 years old or older, you have the option to renew your driver's license for 2 years.

NOTE: If you have recently moved, you will need to notify the CT DMV of your new address within 48 hours. For more information, please see our Changing Your Address page.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

If you are in need of a duplicate CT driver's license, you may be able to renew it instead of replacing it. However, please verify this option with your local CT DMV office.

For more information on how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license, visit our Replacing a Lost License in Connecticut page.

Expired Driver's License

If you do not renew your CT driver's license on time, you'll be charged a $25 late fee. If you let your driver's license expire for more than 2 years you will be required to take your examinations again as if you were a new driver.

To check the status of your driver's license, you can always get a copy of your Connecticut driving record.

How to Renew Your Connecticut Driver's License

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles will mail your renewal notice to your address on file before your driver's license expires. If you don't receive a renewal form, it's still your responsibility to make sure your driver's license is renewed in a timely fashion. If you've already renewed your license and haven't received it, contact the Connecticut DMV to check your order status. 

You can renew your CT driver's license by mail (if eligible) and in person at your local Connecticut DMV office or AAA office (will incur an additional charge).

Renew License By Mail

You can only renew your CT driver's license by mail IF you meet one or all of the following criteria:

• You are an active member of the armed services and a resident of Connecticut.
• You are temporarily out of state.
• You are unable to apply in person due to major health conditions.
• You are serving time in jail. You will be required to provide your inmate number.

If eligible, you will need to send your application at least 7 days before your driver's license expires. Otherwise, you may have to pay a $25 late fee.

You will need:

• A completed Request for a Connecticut Driver's License/Identification Card By Mail (Form B-350).
  • If applying by mail due to a medical condition, complete a Request to Renew or Obtain Duplicate Driver License/Identification Card By Mail Due to Medical Conditions (Form CI-1) as well.
• A check or money order made payable to “DMV" for the appropriate license renewal fee.
  • See Fees to Renew Your Driver's License below.
  • Military personnel may submit a waiver for the renewal fee; see Out-of-State Residents & Military below.
• A self-addressed and stamped envelope.

Mail all of the above to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Central Issuance Operations Unit
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

Renew License In Person

To renew your CT driver's license in person, you'll need to visit your local full-service driver's license office and bring:

• Your current CT driver's license.
  • If you don't have your current license, bring 2 documents proving your identity from the acceptable identity documents checklist
  • If your photo is not on file with the CT DMV, you'll need to provide 2 documents from that list.
• The renewal application you received in the mail.
• The required documents for a "verified" license through the Real ID Program, if you choose a "verified" renewal.
• Payment for all necessary driver's license renewal fees.
  • See Fees to Renew Your Driver's License below.

You can also renew your driver's license at a AAA office in Connecticut. You will be charged a $8 fee for this service.

NOTE: If you changed your name, you'll need to show proof of the change to the CT DMV. Visit our Changing Your Name page for more details.

Out-of-State Residents & Military

If you're outside of Connecticut when your driver's license is due for a renewal, you can renew it by mail. See Renew Your Connecticut Driver's License above for instructions.

If you're an active-duty military member stationed out of state and your home state is Connecticut, you may renew your driver's license for free. Your current license will need a photo to qualify for mail-in renewal. To do so:

• Complete the Application for Waiver of Driver's License Fee Because of Active Service in U.S. Armed Forces (Form B-88), with your out-of-state mailing address included.
• Send the form, along with your signed renewal notice, to:
  
  • Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Central Issuance Operations
  • 60 State Street
  • Wethersfield, CT 06161

Should you not receive your renewal notice, contact Central Issuance Operations at (860) 263-5148. Be ready to provide your driver's license number.

You have 30 days to renew your Connecticut driver's license after you have been honorably discharged from the military. 

Fees to Renew Your CT Driver's License

• Driver's license: $72 for 6 years.
• Option for those 65 years old and older: $24 for 2 years.
• Late fee for renewing an expired license: $25.
• AAA office convenience fee (per transaction): $8.

You may also need to pay an additional photo fee and exam fee (if applicable). Contact the CT DMV to confirm.

Accepted In-Person Payment Methods

The payment types accepted by the CT DMV will vary by office. Typically, they will accept the following:

• Cash.
• Bank or personal checks (payable to "DMV").
• Money order.
• MasterCard, Visa, Discover credit cards.
• MasterCard and Visa debit cards.

Be sure to contact your local Connecticut DMV office for specific details on how to pay your fees.

Payments by Mail

If you're renewing your driver's license by mail, you must pay by check, money order, or by credit card.

To pay by credit card, you will need to complete these additional steps:

• Send your completed Request for a Connecticut Driver's License/Identification Card By Mail (Form B-350) andRequest to Renew or Obtain Duplicate Driver License/Identification Card By Mail Due to Medical Conditions (Form CI-1) (if applicable) via:
  • E-mail to DMV.CIU@ct.gov.
    OR
  • Fax to (860) 263-5591.
• Contact the Central Issuance Operations Unit at (860) 263-5401 after 1 business day (Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) to provide your credit card details.