maryl and the department of transportation motor vehicle administration (mdot mva) will notify you by mail and email prior to the expiration of your license. the mdot mva notice will include instructions on how to renew your driver’s license.
Due to federal requirements, customers will be notified at renewal if they need to provide documents to mdot mva. If you have already been notified, click here to create your checklist and schedule an appointment.
Persons with a limited-term driver’s license will continue to receive a license with a validity period equal to the duration of the person’s legal status in the United States. they can only renew by visiting an mva branch.
note: mdot mva cannot mail or forward a renewed license to an alternate address. if you need to change your address, click here.
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you will need to complete your renewal in person. you must change your name with the social security administration before coming to the mdot mva. Click here for the appropriate documentation list and to schedule an appointment.
Non-commercial drivers who are turning 21 can renew their driver’s licenses 7 days before their 21st birthday.
If your Maryland driver’s license expired one (1) year or more, click here.
additional information:
- medical status
- active military personnel and us military personnel. uu. foreign service members and their dependents
- renewal fees
- commercial driver’s license (cdl)
- real ID renewals
- denial license renewal due to maryland tax deficiency and unpaid unemployment insurance contributions
mdot mva has some of the most secure driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and identification (id) cards in the country. all cards are delivered by mail within 4-7 business days. The cards incorporate state-of-the-art security features to help protect against identity theft and fraud and also meet all state and federal standards for real identification.
Your driver’s license will be mailed to the address registered in the mdot mva. when you receive your new license, you must destroy your old license. Maryland law allows only one driver’s license per driver. call mdot mva at 1-410-768-7000 if you don’t receive your new license after 30 days. you can call 1-800-492-4575 if you are hearing impaired.
Application to Register to Vote You can apply to register to vote when you renew your driver’s license. click here for more information.
information on organ donation
medical condition
For the safety of all drivers, the MVA must consider your medical status as part of your license application. Medical conditions that could affect your driving should be reported to the MVA. Submit with your application, a certificate from your doctor indicating the onset of disability, diagnosis, and medications, if any. All medical data is kept confidential and will only be used by the MVA to determine your qualifications to drive.
to renew online or through the mva self-service kiosk
If your renewal notice indicates you’re eligible, renew online. All Maryland drivers who are eligible to renew online are also eligible to renew at a self-service mdot mva kiosk.
Drivers age 40 and older must submit their vision results electronically to an authorized online vision certification provider. vision certification must be within 24 months of renewal.
to renew by mail
Renew your driver’s license by mail if you have received a “renew by mail” notice. To ensure delivery of your license before it expires, please submit your “renew by mail” request at least 15 days before your license expires. if you find any errors in your information, you must visit an mdot mva office to renew in person.
- complete your renewal application (your new license will be mailed to the address printed on your maryland mail driver license renewal application)
- if you are over 40 , you must have your doctor complete and sign the “vision certification” portion of your renewal form. Please note that the vision certification portion of the renewal form is the only form that can be “read” by the mdot mva technology that processes your license by mail. if you use a separate form, you must renew in person.
- mail in your renewal with the appropriate fee.
- your new license will be mailed to the address printed on your mail of maryland -in driver’s license renewal application. mdot mva cannot mail or forward a renewed license to an alternate address. if you need to change your address, click here and then you can renew by mail.
to renew in person
if you have been notified by the mdot mva that it is time to renew, you should start the process here.
To improve customer service and reduce wait times, eligible customers under the age of 40 should renew their driver’s license online, by mail or at the mva mva kiosk. renewals will no longer be completed at the counter of an mdot mva branch for these customers. You can renew your non-commercial driver’s license online.
if you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you must change your name with the social security administration before coming to the mdot mva. Click here for the appropriate documentation list and to schedule an appointment.
how do I renew my license if it has expired one (1) year or more?
To reissue your license, you will need to pass the vision test and the driving and knowledge test; you may need to present your age, identity, and residency documents. Start your application online.
notes:
- You may be able to take the knowledge and skills tests on the same day. (subject to mdot mva branch availability)
- click here to learn how to prepare for your driving skills test.
click here to prepare your list of documents and schedule an appointment.
active US military personnel and personnel. foreign service members and their dependents
For information on requirements for US military personnel. uu. foreign service members (how to apply, renew, etc.) see the military and the us. uu. foreign service driver’s license page.
The license may be renewed without further testing, other than an eye exam, if the license is still valid or has expired less than one (1) year.
If you are not in the military but are out of Maryland and cannot return before your license expires, you may be able to obtain a temporary license or renew your license while out of state.
veteran designation:
You may be able to add a designation to your driver’s license indicating that you are a United States Veteran. there is no fee for designation, click here for more information.
fees:
maryland mdot mva renews non-commercial driver’s licenses for 5-8 years. the length of validity will be computer generated and the driver’s license renewal fee will vary based on the number of years the license will be valid. commercial driver’s licenses will remain valid for a maximum of 5 years.
If the customer’s license expired one (1) year or more, the new resident driver’s license fee is charged.
license renewal denial due to maryland tax deficiency and unpaid unemployment insurance contributions
if the applicant has not paid all undisputed taxes and/or unemployment insurance contributions to the comptroller of maryland or the secretary of labor, licensing and regulation, or has not provided payment in a manner that is satisfactory to the unit responsible for maryland collections mva is prohibited by law:
- non-commercial or commercial driver license renewal,
- registration renewal
- replacement tag renewal
- replacement tag
- substitute sticker
- label transfer
- label transfer with renovation plates
to resolve an outstanding tax liability:
the mva does not accept payment of taxes.
- Make payments online at the Comptroller of Maryland’s website www.marylandtaxes.com. click on “online services” to view all available options for paying outstanding individual or business taxes.
- If you are unable to pay the debt in full, you may contact the Comptroller at:
- e- email mvahold@comp.state.md.us; or
- individual income tax liabilities call toll free 1-855-213-6669
- business tax liabilities call 410-649-0633.
to resolve an outstanding unemployment insurance obligation:
the mva does not accept the payment of unemployment contributions.
Businesses with unpaid unemployment insurance obligations should contact the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to settle their debts or make acceptable payment arrangements. you can contact them:
- by phone at 410-767-2699; or
- by email at licnrelease@dllr.state.md.us.
Once liabilities are resolved, the MVA will be notified that the driver’s license suspension or vehicle registration renewal/transfer has been lifted. Please allow up to 2 business days after receipt of payment or approved payment plan for the hold to be released.
*please do not wait until the renewal deadline to address your unpaid taxes or unemployment insurance contribution debts.
Note: Vehicle transactions that may not be processed include:
- registration renewal
- replacement tag renewal
- replacement tag
- replacement tag
- transfer of tag
the commercial driver’s license (cdl)
for information on cdl requirements (how to apply for a cdl, renew a cdl, etc.), see the cdl information page.
contact information:
mva driver services division 6601 ritchie highway, ne glen burnie, md 21062