License Renewal in New Hampshire

Renew Your Driver's License in New Hampshire

You will need to renew your New Hampshire driver's license before it expires if you plan to continue driving in the state.

For information about renewing your New Hampshire commercial driver license (CDL) or ID card, see our pages on Renewing Your CDL in New Hampshire or Identification Cards in New Hampshire.

When to Renew Your NH Driver's License

The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will mail you a renewal notice 2 months before your driver's license is due to expire. However, you may renew your valid NH driver's license before the expiration date.

Your NH driver's license status will determine how and when you can renew your license. Read below to find out more about the requirements for each driver's license status in New Hampshire.

If you have changed your name or address, see our Changing Your Name in New Hampshire and Changing Your Address in New Hampshire pages for more information.

Valid Driver's License

You may renew your valid NH driver's license before it expires. When you renew in person, the NH DMV will mail your updated NH driver's license within 60 days.

During the driver's license renewal process in New Hampshire, you have the option to enroll as an organ donor in the NH Donor Registry.

This simple designation on your NH driver's license can help save lives in the future.

Expired Driver's License

Pay attention to the red expiration date on the front of your license. When your NH driver license passes that date, you cannot drive until you renew it.

If your New Hampshire driver's license is expired, you must renew it at your local NH DMV office. See the “In-Person Driver's License Renewals" section below. You will also need to bring the following documents:

• If your license is expired less than 1 year you may renew in person without additional documents.
• If your NH driver's license has been expired for more than 1 year but less than 3 years:
  • 1 document to prove your identity.
  • Proof of your NH residency.
• If your NH driver's license has been expired for more than 3 years:
  • 1 document to prove your identity.
  • Proof of your NH residency.
  You will also need to pass a vision test, knowledge test, and skills test.

Suspended Driver's Licenses

If your New Hampshire driver's license is suspended, you will need to reinstate it first before you can renew it.

The length of your NH driver's license suspension will vary depending on your type of conviction.

If you're required to show proof of insurance to the NH DMV, the SR-22 certificate is your only option.

You can find more about NH suspended licenses by visiting our Suspended License in New Hampshire page.

Lost or Stolen Driver's License

If your NH driver's license is lost or stolen, read our page about Replacing a Lost License in New Hampshire to learn how to obtain a duplicate copy.

You can still renew your NH driver's license, but you'll need to prove your identity in person if you don't have a photo on file with the NH DMV.

For a complete list of accepted identification documents in New Hampshire, please visit the NH DMV website.

How to Renew a NH Driver's License

Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to renew your New Hampshire license:

• Online*.
• In person.

*If you are upgrading from a standard driver's license to a REAL ID, you MUST do your renewal in person.

Online Driver's License Renewal

If you're eligible to renew your NH driver license online, you'll receive a renewal notice in the mail containing a 10-digit renewal identification number (RIN). If you're upgrading to a REAL ID, you MUST visit a licensing office in person (see below for steps).

To renew your NH driver's license online, visit the New Hampshire online renewal system. You will need:

• Your NH driver's license number (including the issue date on the back).
• Payment for the renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your NH Driver's License" section below.

There are no additional fees to use the New Hampshire online renewal service.

Your current photo on file will be used for your renewed NH driver's license. You will need to print your temporary NH driver's license to use until your new card arrives in the mail. If you haven't received your license, you can check its status by contacting the NH DMV.

NOTE: If you are turning 21 years old the earliest you can renew your license is on your 21st birthday.

In-Person License Renewal

You'll receive a renewal notice approximately 2 months before your New Hampshire driver's license expires. However, you can renew it in person before this date.

To renew your NH driver's license in person at your local NH DMV office, you will need to:

• Provide your current New Hampshire driver's license.
  • If you do not have your NH driver's license, you can use your photo on file to verify your identity.
    • If you do NOT have a current photo on file, you'll need to provide 1 document to prove your identity. The NH DMV website provides a complete list of accepted documents.
• If you're upgrading to a REAL ID, bring:
  • 1 document proving your Social Security number.
  • 2 documents proving your NH residency.
    • Visit the NH DMV website for a full list of acceptable documents to bring.
• Submit a completed Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form DSMV450).
• Pass a vision test.
• Have a new photo taken.
• Pay the renewal fee. See “Fees to Renew Your NH Driver's License" below.

If your name is different than the name on the documents you bring in, then you will also need to bring in proof of your legal name change. Your renewed New Hampshire driver license will arrive in the mail within 60 days.

Non-Citizen Driver's License Renewal

Permanent Resident, Asylee, or Refugee

If you're a non-U.S. citizen (permanent resident, asylee or refugee) and you previously submitted an I-94 form or green card, you may renew your NH driver's license in person at your local New Hampshire DMV office.

You will need your:

• Current New Hampshire driver license.
• Valid I-94 form/number or permanent resident card.
• Completed Application For Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form DSMV450).
• Payment for the renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your NH Driver's License" section below.

Temporary Residents

If you're living in New Hampshire on a U.S. visa or work employment card, you must renew your NH driver's license at the main Concord DMV office and bring your:

• Valid New Hampshire driver license.
• Current visa or work employment card, plus:
  • If you're holding a U.S. visa, you must show documents showing your visa is extended or pending an extension.
  • If you're holding a Work Employment Card (EAD), you must bring your valid EAD or documents showing your application for a new EAD.
• Application For Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form DSMV450).
• Payment for the renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your NH Driver's License" section below.

Military & Out-of-State NH Residents

Military Members

Your renewal fee will be waived if you have served in active military duty for 2 years or more, and at the time of enlistment, you were:

• Holding a NH driver's license.
• A resident of New Hampshire.

If you are stationed out of state on active military duty, you can renew your NH driver's license by mail. You will need a:

• Completed Armed Forces Affidavit of Residency (Form DSMV 76).
• Photocopy of your military I.D. card.
• Completed Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form DSMV450).
  • You must provide a New Hampshire address on your application.

Mail the above documents to:

NH Department of Safety
DMV - Driver Licensing
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

If you do not have a current photo on file, the NH DMV will send you a driver's license without a photograph. When you return to New Hampshire, you must visit a NH DMV office and have your picture taken.

While stationed out-of state, all military members and their spouses may renew by mail an unlimited number of times.

Military Member Spouses

If you're the spouse of an active New Hampshire military, you can renew your NH driver's license by mail. You will need:

• A completed Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form DSMV450).
• A completed Armed Forces Affidavit of Residency (Form DSMV 76).
• Your Visual Test Results (DSMV 125).
  • Must be administered by an optometrist or NH licensing examiner.
• Payment for the renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your NH Driver's License" section below.

Mail the above to:

NH Department of Safety
DMV - Driver Licensing
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

Extensions for Out-of-State NH Residents

You may be eligible for a extension of your NH driver's license for 6 months while you're outside of New Hampshire if:

• Your current photo is on file with the NH DMV.
• Your NH driver license is not suspended or revoked.
• You don't have any outstanding fees or fines with the NH DMV.

To apply for a driver license extension with the New Hampshire DMV, you will need:

• A completed and signed New Hampshire Application For Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form DSMV450).
• A completed Temporarily Out-of-State form (DSMV 594).
  • You'll need to include your out-of-state mailing address.
• Payment for the $50 renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your NH Driver's License" section below.

Mail your forms and payment to:

NH Department of Safety
DMV - Driver Licensing
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

When you return to New Hampshire, you'll need to complete the renewal process in person at your local NH DMV office.

Fees to Renew Your NH Driver's License

It will cost you the following fees to renew your driver's license in New Hampshire:

• Renewal fee:
  • Standard license: $50.
  • Real ID license: $60.
• Moped: $8.
• Motorcycle only or motor driven cycle only: $55
• Motorcycle or 3-wheel endorsement additional fee: $5.

Accepted Payment Methods

For online transactions, you can make payment with any of the following credit cards:

• American Express.
• MasterCard.
• VISA.

For most NH DMV transactions in person, you can pay by:

• Credit card.
  • MasterCard.
  • VISA.
  • American Express.
• Cash.
• Personal checks, money orders, or traveler's checks.
  • Made payable to the "State of NH - DMV."

For transactions by mail, payment must be made by check (and payable to “State of NH - DMV.")

Contact your local NH driver license office for more information about accepted payment methods.