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When to Renew Your MA Driver License

Your Massachusetts drivers license is valid for 5 years at a time and expires on your birthday.

The MA RMV will mail you a renewal postcard to remind you before your driver's license expires, but it's still important to keep track of the expiration date on your MA driver's license yourself.

Your renewal eligibility and requirements differ based on whether your license is currently:

• Valid.
• Expired.
• Suspended.
• Lost, damaged, or stolen.

Whether you renew your license in person or online, you will receive a temporary drivers license that is valid for 30 days to use until you receive your new card in the mail.

NOTE: The MA RMV recommends you renew your driver's license at least 7 days before the expiration date so you that will receive a new driver's license in time.

Valid Drivers License

If your Massachusetts driver license is valid, you can renew it:

• Up to 1 year before it expires.
• Within 4 years after it expires.

You can renew it in person or online. You cannot renew your Massachusetts driver's license by mail.

NOTE: If you have any outstanding Massachusetts RMV fees, tickets, violations, or child support payments, you cannot renew your MA driver's license until you pay them.

If you renew your MA drivers license before your 21st birthday, you will receive a vertical card that displays the words “Under 21."

Expired Driver License

If your MA driver's license has been expired for less than 4 years, you can still renew it as per normal.

If it has been expired for 4 years or longer, you cannot renew it. You will need to show the same information you would need if you were applying for a new license.

For more information, please see our page on applying for an adult (age 18+) license or applying for a teen license.

Suspended Driver's License

If your MA driver license is suspended, you'll need to pay a reinstatement fee before you can renew with the Massachusetts RMV.

Depending on the type of suspension and offense, fees can range from $50 to $1, 200.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver License

If your MA drivers license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can still renew it online if you have your driver's license number.

NOTE: Do NOT drive in Massachusetts without a valid driver's license.

Online Driver License Renewal

Even if you are not eligible for an online renewal (see below), you can still begin your renewal online. You'll be able to complete your application and print a list of required documents to bring to your local MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office to complete your renewal.