Renewing Your U.S. Driver's License

Driver's licenses in the United States expire on a fixed cycle — usually four to eight years — and renewing one is the most common DMV transaction in the country. Doing it correctly takes ten minutes; doing it incorrectly can cost an entire morning at the office.

Renewal cycles vary by state and sometimes by age. Younger drivers often get longer-cycle licenses (8 years in Florida, for example), while older drivers may face shorter cycles tied to mandatory vision rechecks. Some states automatically mail you a renewal notice 60 to 90 days before expiration; others assume you'll watch the date on your card. Either way, the smart play is to start the renewal at least 30 days before the expiration date, because some renewal options take longer than people expect.

Three ways to renew

Online

Most states allow online renewal in alternating cycles — you renew online once, in person the next time. Online renewal usually requires that your license isn't expired, your address is current, you don't wear corrective lenses (or the restriction is unchanged), and you're not facing any administrative holds. The fee is the same as in-person renewal, the new card arrives by mail in 7 to 14 days, and most states issue a printable temporary document immediately.

By mail

A handful of states still accept mail-in renewals, especially for active-duty military members stationed elsewhere or for drivers temporarily living abroad. Forms typically have to be notarized and mailed back with a check. Allow at least three weeks for processing.

In person

Required when an in-person photo is due, when you're upgrading to a REAL ID, when your eyesight has changed, when your name has changed, or when you've let the license lapse beyond the grace period. Bring the same identity stack required for a first-time license: primary identity document, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of residency, and any name-change paperwork.

Common mistakes

• Renewing too early. Some states won't let you renew more than 90 days before expiration, and renewing very early can cost you days off your renewal cycle.
• Forgetting REAL ID. If your current license has a star marker, you're already REAL-ID compliant. If it doesn't and you fly domestically, you'll need to upgrade in person — which means bringing the full document stack.
• Letting the license expire. Most states give a 30-to-180 day grace period in which renewal works the same as before expiration. After the grace period, some states reclassify the renewal as a new application, which can mean retaking the written or road test.
• Driving on an expired card. A traffic stop with an expired license is technically driving without a license in many states. Even a fix-it ticket goes on your record.

Costs

Renewal fees range from about $20 to $90 depending on the state and the renewal length. Many states charge a small surcharge for an online renewal or for the optional "enhanced" license (an EDL) that doubles as a passport-card alternative for crossing into Canada or Mexico by land.