How to Renew a Massachusetts Driver's License [2024]

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Renew Your Driver License in Massachusetts

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In Person

You can renew your driver’s license up to 1 year before its expiration date. It’s your responsibility to check your license expiration date and act accordingly. If your license has been expired more than 2 years, you will need to take the learner’s permit exam and road test.

You will be required to renew in person if you want to get a Real ID driver’s license for the first time. Use The RMV’s Real ID, Real Answers Wizard to see whether you need a Standard or Real ID driver’s license.

You must renew in person at one of the full or limited RMV Service Centers if:

• You renew for the first time
• You need to change your name
• You do not have an SSN
• You are 75 years of age or older
• You have outstanding obligations
• You have not established lawful presence
• You are requesting a first-time issuance of a Real ID Massachusetts Driver’s License
• You have a Real ID Massachusetts Driver’s License marked “Limited Term”
• Your license photo is more than 14 years old or was taken before your 21st birthday
• You renewed online twice in a row

Plan of Action:

1. Complete your application online. It will have a bar code that can be scanned to retrieve your information at the service center and save you time in line.

2. Supply your SSN or an updated Social Security Denial Notice (the notice is not more than 60 days old).

3. Provide documents to verify the following:

   • Your lawful presence (1 document)
   • Massachusetts residency (2 documents)

   Use this guide to choose documents correctly.

4. Visit an RMV service center and bring the documentation above and your completed application.

5. Pass a vision test.

6. Pay the fee of $50.00. Most service centers accept cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. However, check what’s accepted at the site you will be visiting.

7. Get a receipt that will work as a temporary license. Your new license will arrive within 7-10 business days.

Your new license will be valid for 5 years unless the duration of your lawful status in the US is shorter.

Find an RMV Service Center near you

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By Mail

Mail renewals are offered only for military personnel, their spouses, and dependents. Military personnel are not required to renew their Massachusetts driver’s licenses during active service, but spouses and dependents are required to renew. Note that unless you have already been issued a Real ID Massachusetts Driver’s License, you can only get a Standard Driver’s License. Non-photo driver’s licenses are issued if you send the following:

• License application
• Copy of your military ID
• Renewal fee ($50.00)
• If you are outside Massachusetts, add your out-of-state address and phone number.

Mail everything to: Registry of Motor Vehicles The Driver Licensing Department P.O. Box 55889 Boston, MA 02205-5889

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Online

You can renew online if you don’t need a REAL driver’s license or everything below is true about you:

• It’s not your first renewal
• You don’t need to change your name
• You’ve established lawful presence with RMV
• You are younger than 75
• You have an SSN
• You have no outstanding fines or taxes
• Your current license is a Real ID Massachusetts Driver’s License and not marked “limited term”
• Your license photo is less than 14 years old and was taken after your 21st birthday
• One of your previous two renewals was in person

Plan of Action:

1. Go to the RMV online renewal.
2. Provide:
   • Your driver’s license number
   • The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
   • Your email address
3. Change your address if needed.
4. Pay the fee of $50.00.
5. Receive your new license within 7-10 business days.

Renew Online

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Renewing in a different state?