License Renewal in Massachusetts

Renewing Your Driver's License in Massachusetts

Before your Massachusetts driver's license expires, you need to renew it through the MA Department of Transportation (DOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

You cannot drive in Massachusetts without a valid driver's license. On this page, you'll find information on how to renew your driver's license in person and online.

Massachusetts REAL ID Licenses

The Massachusetts RMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to standard driver’s licenses. Beginning October 2021, the REAL ID will allow you to continue using your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—a standard ID will no longer suffice for these activities.

You can choose to receive a REAL ID or standard license upon renewal—details are outlined below. For more, visit the state's guide to REAL IDs.

When to Renew Your MA Driver License

Your Massachusetts drivers license is valid for 5 years at a time and expires on your birthday.

The MA RMV will mail you a renewal postcard to remind you before your driver's license expires, but it's still important to keep track of the expiration date on your MA driver's license yourself.

Your renewal eligibility and requirements differ based on whether your license is currently:

  • Valid.
  • Expired.
  • Suspended.
  • Lost, damaged, or stolen.

You cannot renew your license if you have:

  • A suspended or revoked license.
  • Unpaid:
    • Parking tickets.
    • E-Z Pass violations.
    • Excise tax.

Whether you renew your license in person or online, you will receive a temporary drivers license that is valid for 30 days to use until you receive your new card in the mail. If you haven't received your license, you can check the status of your renewal by contacting the Massachusetts RMV.

Valid Driver's License

If your Massachusetts driver license is valid, you can renew it:

  • Up to 2 years before it expires.
  • Within 1 year after it expires.

You can renew it in person or online. You cannot renew your Massachusetts driver's license by mail.

NOTE: If you have any outstanding Massachusetts RMV fees, tickets, violations, or child support payments, you cannot renew your MA driver's license until you pay them.

If you renew your MA drivers license before your 21st birthday, you will receive a vertical card that displays the words “Under 21."

Expired Driver License

If your MA driver's license has been expired for less than 1 year, you can still renew it as per normal.

If it has been expired for 1 year or longer, you cannot renew it. You will need to show the same information you would need if you were applying for a new license.

For more information, please see our page on applying for an adult (age 18+) license or applying for a teen license.

Suspended Driver's License

If your MA driver license is suspended, you'll need to pay a reinstatement fee before you can renew with the Massachusetts RMV.

Depending on the type of suspension and offense, fees can range from $100 to $1,200.

For more information, please see our page on Suspended Licenses in Massachusetts.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver License

If your MA drivers license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can still renew it online if you have your driver's license number.

You can renew in person at a MA Registry of Motor Vehicles office if your digital image is on file.

If you need to request a replacement driver license, please see our guide to Replacing a Lost License in Massachusetts.

NOTE: Do NOT drive in Massachusetts without a valid driver's license.

Renew Your MA Driver's License

Online Renewal

Even if you are not eligible for an online renewal (see below), you can still begin your renewal online. You'll be able to complete your application and print a list of required documents to bring to your local MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office to complete your renewal.

Upgrading to a REAL ID license?

If you currently hold a standard driver's license and plan to get a REAL ID upon renewal, you MUST renew in person in order to show the necessary identity documents. This is a one-time requirement.

If you begin your renewal online, you will be provided with a barcode to present at the RMV office. This barcode will allow the RMV to pull up all the information you provided online. You are still required to bring ALL of your documents with you when you visit the RMV.

You are NOT eligible to renew your MA drivers license online if you:

  • Have not established lawful presence.
  • Do not have a Social Security number (SSN).
  • Need to change your name.
  • Are 75 years old or older.
  • Hold a CDL.
  • Have unpaid EZ-Pass violations, parking tickets, or excise tax.
  • Are requesting your first REAL ID Massachusetts Driver's License.
  • Have a REAL ID Massachusetts Driver's License marked "Limited Term."
  • Have already renewed online for your previous renewal*.

You will need a new photo if your current photo is 14 years old or older. You may only renew online once in 15 years.

To renew your MA driver license online, visit the Massachusetts RMV Online Services website and:

  • Choose the type of license to be renewed.
    • Only Class D, M and D/M can be renewed online.
  • Provide your:
    • Full name.
    • MA driver license number.
    • Social Security number (SSN).
    • E-mail address.
  • Provide payment for the renewal fee (see the “Fees to Renew Your MA Driver License" section below).

If your license renewal cannot be completed online, you will be given information on what you will need to bring to the RMV to renew in person.

Your renewed MA driver's license will be mailed to the address you have on file within 14 days.

In-Person Renewal

To renew your MA driver's license in person, visit your local Massachusetts RMV office or AAA members can renew at some AAA branches in Massachusetts and bring:

You must also pass a vision screening test and have your photo taken*. If you are 75 years old and older you can take a vision test at the RMV or bring in a Class D and M Vision Screening Certificate (Form MAB102) signed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Your renewed MA driver's license will be mailed to the address on record within 14 days.

* You will need a new photo if your current photo is 14 years old or older.

MA Military Member Renewal Exemptions

Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our military driver's license article for more information.

Active duty military personnel are not required to renew their driver's license while on active service. This does NOT apply to your dependents, who MUST keep their driver's license current. If you, your spouse, and/or dependents, choose to renew your license by mail, you can only be issued a non-photo license.

To renew your Massachusetts driver license while on active duty and out of state, you will need:

Send the above to:

Driver Licensing
Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205

You will be mailed a non-photo MA driver's license to use until you can renew when you return to Massachusetts.

Active duty military, their spouse, or dependent, who ARE NOT able to return to MA before their driver's license expires have the option to request a driver's license extension from the RMV. This extension will serve as a temporary driver's license which will only be valid for 60 days after the expiration date of the original driver's license This extension can only be granted once. For information on how to request a driver's license extension contact the RMV at (857) 368-8000.

If you are an active-duty military member returning to Massachusetts, you have 60 days after you are honorably discharged to renew your expired driver's license.

Veteran Designation

If you've been honorably discharged from the military, you can request a "Veteran's Indicator" to be printed on your Massachusetts driver's license during your renewal.

There are no additional fees for a veteran's indication.

You'll need to renew your Massachusetts driver's license in person (see the “In-Person Driver License Renewal" section above) and:

  • Mark the veteran's indicator box on your renewal application form.
  • Bring proof of your honorable discharge, such as your:
    • DD-214.
    • DD-215
    • Honorable discharge form.

Your new MA driver's license will include the word "Veteran."

Fees to Renew Your MA Driver License

It will cost you the following fees to renew your driver license in Massachusetts:

  • Class D: $50.
  • Class M: $50
  • Motorcycle endorsement on existing license: $15.

Forms

LIC100
Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit or ID Card Application
RMV application for an original, renewal, replacement OR corrected Class D driver's license, Class M license, learner's permit, OR MA state ID card.
MAB102
Class D and M Vision Screening Certificate
Eye exam form to be submitted to the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles when applying for a Class D OR Class M license. Must be completed by a professional eye doctor.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review