Certain persons may be eligible to renew their driver's license by mail.  All others must apply in person at any MVA office.  Click on one of the links below if your license is not yet expired, or has been expired less than one (1) year.

• License renewal by mail
• License renewal in person

If your Maryland driver's license has been expired for one (1) year or more, click here.

If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (and a Maryland license holder) absent from Maryland on active service, or a dependant living with that member, your license remains valid during the service member's absence and for a period of 30 days after the member's return to Maryland or discharge/separation from the Armed Forces, whichever occurs first.  Note: The HAZMAT endorsement (HME) will expire when the actual photo license expires.  the HME is not extended due to military service and being stationed outside of the State of Maryland.

The license may be renewed without additional tests, other than vision screening, if the license is still valid or has been expired for LESS than one (1) year.

If the Maryland license has been expired for one (1) year or more, acceptable military paperwork (orders) for proof of active duty status outside of Maryland will be required, verifying when you left and returned to Maryland.  You must provide the MVA with your current Maryland license, military ID card and your military orders or discharge/separation document(s) within 30 days of your return to Maryland to avoid retaking the vision, knowledge and driving tests.

If you are not in the military but outside of Maryland and not able to return before your license expires, you may be able to obtain a temporary license or renew your license while out-of-state.

License Renewal Refusal due to Maryland Tax Deficiency and Unpaid Unemployment Insurance Contributions

Effective June 1, 2011, Maryland Law (House Bill 72) prohibits the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) from renewing the driver's license, renewing a vehicle registration, or transferring a vehicle registration of an applicant who has not paid all Undisputed Taxes and/or Unemployment Insurance Contributions payable to the Comptroller or the Secretary of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) or provided for payment in a manner satisfactory to the unit responsible for collections.

If a customer has received a letter of noncompliance from the MVA regarding either a MD tax deficiency or unpaid Unemployment Insurance Contributions, it is because the MVA has been notified that this individual driver (business) has unpaid taxes and/or unemployment insurance contributions which will prevent the renewal of their driver's license or vehicle registration or transferring a vehicle registration until they have satisfied their debts/obligations.

This includes both noncommercial renewals and correction renewals as well as commercial license renewals.

The MVA does NOT accept payment for taxes or unemployment contributions.

To resolve an outstanding Tax Obligation:

The driver may make payment in full by going online at the Comptroller's website www.marylandtaxes.com. Click ""Online Services" to see all of the online options available to pay outstanding individual or business taxes.  If the driver cannot pay the debt in full, they may contact the Comptroller via e-mail at mvahold@comp.state.md.us or by phone to discuss payment options.  For individual income tax liabilities, call the Comptroller's Office toll free at 855-213-6669 or for business tax liabilities call 410-649-0633.

To resolve an outstanding Unemployment Insurance Obligation:

Businesses with unpaid unemployment insurance obligations should contact the DLLR to satisfy their debts or make acceptable payment arrangements.  They may contact the DLLR by phone at 410-767-2699 or via e-mail at licnrelease@dllr.state.md.us to discuss payment options.

Once the tax and/or unemployment insurance liabilities have been resolved, the Comptroller or the DLLR will notify the MVA that the hold on the driver's license or vehicle registration renewal/transfer has been lifted.  The MVA will then be authorized to proceed with the renewal of the customer's driver's license or vehicle registration.  Please allow up to two (2) business days after the receipt of payment by certified funds or beginning an approved payment plan for a hold on the renewals/transfer to be released.  Do not wait until the last day to renew to address your unpaid tax or unemployment insurance contribution debts.

The MVA does NOT accept payment for taxes or unemployment contributions.

Note:  Vehicle Transactions that may not be processed are:

• Registration Renewal
• Replacement Tag Renewal
• Substitute Tag
• Substitute Sticker
• Tag Transfer
• Tag Transfer with Renewal (this includes plates being repurchased under a new class, i.e. War of 1812, personalized, or any special tags, etc.

How do I renew my driver's license by mail?

If you are eligible to renew your license by mail, the MVA will send you a Maryland Mail-In Driver License Renewal Application (form #DL-179A or B) at least 60 days before its expiration date.  Upon receiving the application, carefully review the information included with it.  You will be required to:

• Answer all of the "yes/no" questions on the application including the following:
  • Have you been diagnosed with any physical or mental disabilities, other than vision, which may affect your driving?
  • Is your license or privilege to drive suspended, revoked, refused, canceled, or disqualified in this or any other state, Washington D.C. or Canada?
  • Are you currently employed?  If yes, where?
• If you are over 40 years of age, you must meet the MVA's vision requirements.   Your vision specialist must complete the Vision Certification section of the Mail-In Driver License Renewal Application.  No other form of vision certification will be accepted.  If you are 40 years or younger, you are exempt from meeting this requirement.

If you wish to renew your license by mail, complete, sign and return the Maryland Mail-In Driver License Renewal Application.  Include with it your payment for the license; if you are returning more than one application by mail, there should be a separate form of payment for each application.

Upon receipt of your application, the MVA will review it to confirm that you are eligible to renew your license by mail; if not, you will be notified that you must apply in person. 

After preparing your new license using the latest photo available, the MVA will mail it to the address printed on your Maryland Mail-In Driver License Renewal Application.  The MVA cannot mail it to an alternate address.  You will be advised to destroy your current license upon receipt of the renewed license.

How do I renew my driver's license in person?

The MVA typically will send you a renewal notice at least 60 days before your license expiration date.  However, you do not need the notice to apply.  If you are 25 years or older, you are permitted to apply for renewal at any time during the period from 6 months before your license expires to one year after it expires (note that it is illegal to drive with an expired license).  If you are under 21, you must wait until your 21st birthday or thereafter to renew.  Your license will expire no later than 60 days after your 21st birthday.

Gather the documents and other items that you will need to take to the MVA:

• Maryland Driver License Renewal Notice - note that if you do not have one, you still will be able to renew your license;
• Current (expiring) Maryland Driver's License - if you have lost it, you may have to prove your identity.  Contact the Customer Service Center for more information;
• Documented proof of your social security number that can be verified by the Social Security Administration;
• Glasses or contact lenses if needed - see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information;
• Payment.

Visit any MVA office. When you arrive, the Customer Agent will:

• Take your photograph.  See MVA Photo Guidelines note below;
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening Form;
• Ask you various questions to verify that you are eligible for license renewal;
• Collect the fee owed; and
• Issue your new license.

Note:   MVA Photo Guidelines: Because of the ever increasing need to use a photo driver’s license, learner’s permit or moped permit as proof of personal identification (i.e.: MVA, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, etc.) in addition to its role as a licensing document, the Maryland MVA is required to follow and enforce certain guidelines concerning approving and using an acceptable digital image/photograph on these license products.  The same guidelines would also follow for the issuance of a Maryland Photo Identification Card.

The MVA will not permit an applicant to significantly alter, hide or enhance their face or facial features by the use or excessive use of:

1). Face Paint

2). Cosmetics

3). Cosmetic Contacts

4). Facial Contortions

5). Hats/Scarves/Other Clothing

6). Hands, etc.

If a supervisor deems it necessary, the customer will be required to remove the unacceptable face paint, cosmetics, etc. before a photo is taken.

If a photo image is taken and it is determined to be unacceptable by an MVA supervisor due to any of the above reasons or otherwise, the MVA reserves the right to require that the customer either sits for another image or is refused the issuance of the MVA product.

References:

1. Issuance of license: TR, 16-111.1(d)(2-iv):  A color photograph of the applicant that is taken in accordance with a procedure that the Administration requires.
2. Form and contents of an Identification Card: TR, 12-301(g)(2v):  A color photograph of the applicant taken by the procedure that the Administration requires.

How do I renew my license if it has been expired for one (1) year or more?

To have your license reissued, you will need to have your vision screened and pass the applicable knowledge test and skills test; a learner's permit is not required. 

Notes:

1.  You may not be able to take the skills test on the same day unless you've made an appointment ahead of time.

2.  The MVA computer will not permit you to schedule an appointment since you do not have a valid license or learner's permit.

3.  If your license has been expired for one (1) year or more and if you are required to retest, you may be required to schedule a skills test appointment once you have passed the Vision and Knowledge tests if the MVA office is not able to fit you in on the same day.  Click here for additional information on scheduling a test appointment or you may call 1-800-950-1682 (in-state) or 1 301-729-4550 (out-of-state) for assistance.

4.  You must provide a safe test vehicle for the driving test.  If this vehicle is a rental vehicle your name MUST appear on the rental contract as an approved driver of that vehicle or the test will be cancelled and you will need to set up another test appointment date.

When you are prepared for these tests, gather the documents and other items that you will need to take to the MVA:

• Customers with licenses expired one (1) year or more are considered a new applicant and MUST prove identity, residency, SSN and lawful presence.  Please refer to Sources of Proof.  Contact the Customer Service Center for more information;
• A vehicle in the appropriate class, with valid registration;
• Accompanying driver - note that it is illegal to drive with an expired license;
• Glasses or contacts if needed - see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information;
• Payment.

Second, visit any MVA full-service branch office; no appointment is needed.  A Customer Agent in the office will:

• Take your photograph. See MVA Photo Guidelines note below;
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening Form; and
• Verify that you meet all eligibility requirements.

Note:  MVA Photo Guidelines:  Because of the ever increasing need to use a photo driver’s license, learner’s permit or moped permit as proof of personal identification (i.e.: MVA, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, etc.) in addition to its role as a licensing document, the Maryland MVA is required to follow and enforce certain guidelines concerning approving and using an acceptable digital image/photograph on these license products.  The same guidelines would also follow for the issuance of a Maryland Photo Identification Card.

The MVA will not permit an applicant to significantly alter, hide or enhance their face or facial features by the use or excessive use of:

1). Face Paint

2). Cosmetics

3). Cosmetic Contacts

4). Facial Contortions

5). Hats/Scarves/Other Clothing

6). Hands, etc.

If a supervisor deems it necessary, the customer will be required to remove the unacceptable face paint, cosmetics, etc. before a photo is taken.

If a photo image is taken and it is determined to be unacceptable by an MVA supervisor due to any of the above reasons or otherwise, the MVA reserves the right to require that the customer either sits for another image or is refused the issuance of the MVA product.

References:

1. Issuance of license: TR, 16-111.1(d)(2-iv):  A color photograph of the applicant that is taken in accordance with a procedure that the Administration requires.
2. Form and contents of an Identification Card: TR, 12-301(g)(2v):  A color photograph of the applicant taken by the procedure that the Administration requires.

After completing these steps, you will be given a knowledge test.  If you pass the knowledge test, you will be directed to a Driver Licensing Agent to determine if the skills test can be taken that day or if you will need to schedule an appointment for another day.  Note that if you have a class A or B license (commercial or noncommercial), you must schedule an appointment to take the skills test.  Upon successful completion of your skills test, your driver's license will be issued. 

Note:  If a test applicant (learner's permit or driver's license) passes the required Knowledge test(s) and or Skills tests, the passing scores are only valid for six (6) monthsfrom the date the test was passed.  If the learner's permit and or driver's license has not been issued within this time frame, then the applicant must retest to obtain the permit or license.
 

Fees:

• If the customer's license is eligible for renewal (not expired, or expired for less than one (1) year), there is a driver license renewal fee.
• If the customer's license has been expired for one (1) year or more, the driver license (new resident) fee is charged.

Contact Information:

MVA
Driver Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

For telephone questions:

If your Maryland driver's license has been expired for one (1) year or more, click here.

If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (and a Maryland license holder) absent from Maryland on active service, or a dependant living with that member, your license remains valid during the service member's absence and for a period of 30 days after the member's return to Maryland or discharge/separation from the Armed Forces, whichever occurs first. 

The license may be renewed without additional tests, other than vision screening, if the license is still valid or has been expired for LESS than one (1) year.

If the Maryland license has been expired for one (1) year or more, acceptable military paperwork (orders) for proof of active duty status outside of Maryland will be required, verifying when you left and returned to Maryland.  You must provide the MVA with your current Maryland license, military ID card and your military orders or discharge/separation document(s) within 30 days of your return to Maryland to avoid retaking the vision, knowledge and driving tests.