License Renewal in Wisconsin

Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to renew your driver's license in Wisconsin:

• In person.
• By mail.

The Wisconsin DMV provides an interactive driver licensing guide to help you figure out what you're eligible for—and you MAY be able to submit your application online and schedule an appointment with the DMV at the same time.

Most renewals must be done in person. Note that if you're upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant driver's license during with your renewal, you'll need to bring extra documents with you similar to your first license application (see below for details).

If you are out of state and need to renew your WI driver's license, you can do so by mail.

Let's go through the steps for each option below.

• In Person
• By Mail

If you want your Wisconsin driver's license to be compliant with the federal REAL ID Act, you will also need to prove your:

• Name and birth date, with documents such as your:
  • Valid U.S. passport.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Permanent resident card.
• U.S. citizenship or legal U.S. presence, such as your:
  • Naturalization certificate.
  • Citizenship certification.
  • Current foreign passport and I-94 card or number.
• Social Security number (SSN), such as your:
  • Social Security card.
  • W-2 form.
  • Pay stub showing your name and full SSN.
• Wisconsin residency, such as a:
  • Utility bill, issued in the last 90 days.
  • Bank statement, issued in the last 90 days.

All documents must be originals; photocopies will not be accepted. The WI Division of Motor Vehicles provides everything you need for acceptable REAL ID documents.

NOTE: There is no additional cost to receive a REAL ID Wisconsin driver license if you apply at the time of renewal.

License Renewals for Non-U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen living in Wisconsin temporarily and want to obtain/renew a WI drivers license, you must provide proof of your legal presence in the U.S. that permits a stay of at least 1 year.

NOTE: You must have at least 6 months of your legal stay remaining to apply for a driver license.

For active duty service members hailing from Wisconsin, your driver's license will NOT expire while you're deployed or stationed outside the state until EITHER:

• 30 days after you return to Wisconsin
  OR
• 90 days after your honorable discharge (whichever happens first).

To obtain this extension, have the DMV place a notation on your driving record by sending a signed statement that includes:

• Your name and birth date.
• Your permanent WI address.
• A temporary mailing address.
• An affirmation of your active duty status.

You can submit the above statement:

• By fax to (608) 261-8201
• By mail to:
  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation
  • Driver Eligibility Unit
  • P.O. Box 7995
  • P.O. Box 7995
  • Madison, WI 53707

A copy of your notated driving record will be sent to the temporary mailing address you provide, which you'll need to carry with your WI driver's license while you're out of state.

Should you choose to renew your driver's license while you're gone, follow the instructions for mail-in out-of-state renewals below.