License Renewal in Maryland

Depending on whether your current license is REAL ID-compliant or not, you may be able to renew online, by mail, or in person. If your last renewal/application was in 2011, it may or may not be a REAL ID, depending on when you applied within that year. If not, you must renew in person.

You should receive a notification from the MVA before your license expires. The notification will inform you if you need to renew in person with additional documents that will make your new license REAL ID-compliant, including proofs of:

• Age and identity.
• Social Security.
• Maryland residency (multiple documents).

You can visit the MVA's website for more information on acceptable documents.

Online & Self-Service Kiosk Renewal

Your renewal notice will let you know if you are eligible to renew your MD driver's license online or at a Maryland MVA kiosk.

After you complete your renewal online, or at an MVA kiosk, you will receive your new driver's license by mail within 4 to 7 business days. If you don't receive your license you can check the status of your driver's license renewal or contact the MVA by calling (410) 768-7000.

Online

To renew your MD driver license online, use the Maryland MVA FastTrack system and provide:

• Your MD driver's license number.
• Your date of birth.
• The last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN) or your MVA PIN.
• A credit/debit card or your bank account information to pay the renewal fee. (See the “Fees to Renew Your MD Driver's License" section below.)

Self-Service Kiosk

MVA self-service kiosks are located at Maryland MVA offices. Visit a Maryland MVA office in person and follow the instructions on the screen.

You will need a check, credit/debit card, or cash to pay the renewal fee (see the “ Fees to Renew Your MD Driver's License" section below).

By-Mail Renewal

If you are eligible for a mail-in renewal, the MD MVA will send you a Maryland Mail-In Driver License Renewal Application before your driver's license expires.

To renew your MD driver's license by mail, you'll need to:

• Complete the renewal application.
• Meet the vision requirements (every 8 years), if you are 40 years old or older.
• Ask your eye doctor to complete the Vision Certification section of the application.
• Include a check for your renewal payment.
  • (See the “Fees to Renew Your MD Driver's License" section below.)

You should receive your new MD driver's license in the mail within 4 to 7 business days.

NOTE: The Maryland MVA may determine you are not eligible for a mail-in renewal after your application is received. If you are not, you will receive a notification to visit your local MD Motor Vehicle Administration office to complete the renewal process.

In-Person Renewal

To renew your MD driver's license in person, visit your local MD DMV office. You'll need to:

• Bring your current MD driver's license.
• Prove your SSN, with documents such as your:
  • Social Security card.
  • W-2 form.
  • 1099 form.
• Submit any required identity and/or residency documents, if required to become REAL ID-compliant.
• Have your photo taken.
• Meet the vision requirements (every 8 years), if you are 40 years old or older.
• Provide a new signature.
• Pay the renewal fee.
  • (See the “Fees to Renew Your MD Driver's License" section below.)

Military Members

If you are an active-duty military member, you have a grace period of 30 days after returning to Maryland or being discharged from active duty to renew your MD driver's license. This also applies to your spouse and dependents. Keep proof of your active duty status along with your MD driver's license at all times while driving with your license out of state.

You can also renew your driver's license by applying for an absentee license. To do so, contact the MVD at (410) 768-7000 to request an application form. After receiving the application, fill it out and send it back to the MVA, along with proof of your military status.

You can request a temporary license if you meet certain criteria. In order to apply for a temporary driver's license in Maryland, your current license MUST be:

• Due to expire before your return.
• In need of correction before you return.
  OR
• Lost, mutilated, or stolen.

If you meet the above criteria, write a request including your:

• Full name.
• Birthdate.
• Soundex or driver's license number.
• Temporary address (cannot be a P.O. box).
• Permanent Maryland address.
• Phone number.
• Reason for making the request.
• Signature and date.

Fax the above to (410) 424-3050.

If you allow your driver's license to expire while deployed and it has been expired for at least 1 year, you'll need to visit a MD MVA office and provide your:

• Expired MD driver's license.
• Military orders.
• Military ID.

If the grace period of 30 days is over or you cannot provide all of the documents above, you will need to retake the:

• Vision exam.
• Driving knowledge test.
• Driving skills test.

Out-of-State Maryland Residents

If you are out of state when your MD driver's license expires, you may be able to renew by mail or apply for a temporary license. It is important to contact the Maryland MVA to make sure you qualify for renewal or for a temporary license.

You can contact the MVA by:

• E-mail: Contact form.
• Phone: (410) 768-7000.
  • TTY/hearing impaired: (800) 492-4575.
• Fax: (410) 424-3050.

If you qualify you may need to:

Write a letter to the MVA that includes:

• Your full name.
• Your date of birth.
• Your MD driver's license number.
• Your MD address.
• Your out-of-state address.
• Your phone number.
• Proof you meet the vision requirements (40 years old and older)
• The reason for your temporary driver's license request.
• Your signature.
• The date of your request.
• The renewal fee

All of the required information and fees will need to be mailed to:

Motor Vehicle Administration
Driver Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

If you are a non-U.S. citizen and need to renew your temporary MD driver's license, visit any Maryland MVA office and bring your:

• Current temporary MD driver's license.
• Updated documents proving your legal U.S. presence.
• Social Security number or proof of your ineligibility.
• Payment.
  • (See the “Fees to Renew Your MD Driver's License" section below.)

NOTE: Your temporary MD driver's license is valid for the duration of your legal presence.

Maryland driver's licenses cost $11 per year.

It will cost you the following fees to renew your MD drivers license:

• $64—valid for 8 years.
• $64—valid for 8 years.
• $64—valid for 8 years.
• $64—valid for 8 years.

A temporary driver's license will be prorated depending on the length of your legal stay.