Renew a driver’s license

Renew your CT driver’s license and change your address online with ease—and without waiting in line

Renew a driver’s license

Renew your CT driver’s license and change your address online with ease—and without waiting in line

Real ID is here—get it by May 7, 2025

Starting May 7, 2025, the U.S. federal government requires anyone that boards an airplane for domestic travel or who enters certain federal buildings to have a verified driver's license or state-issued ID card, known as a REAL ID, or show additional proof of identification, such as a U.S. passport. 

Note: You may already have a REAL ID. Check your license or ID card and if it already has the gold star on it, this confirms that you already have a verified REAL ID.

See more information about the REAL ID Program. Learn more about REAL ID and air travel on the TSA website.

There are three easy ways to renew your license

  • Renew your license online without waiting in line
  • Renew in person
  • Apply for renewal by mail
 
Important

Not all driver’s license renewals can be completed at DMV express offices. The below renewals must be completed at a DMV hub office by appointment only.

  • Commercial driver’s licenses (CDL)
  • Public passenger endorsements
  • Drive-only licenses

Find more information on the services offered at each express location here.

Estimated time to renew license online: 7 minutes

RENEW NOW
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  • Who’s eligible
  • How to renew your license online
  • Fees
  • Receipt

Who’s eligible

You can renew your driver’s license online on your license expiration date or as early as 180 days (six months) before your driver’s license expires.

You cannot renew online if any of the following are true for you:

If you can’t renew online, please renew in person or renew by mail instead.


Note: If you want to change your address, it can be done online at least one week prior to renewal. 

 

Change your address online

 

How to renew your license online

Step 1: Gather what you need and watch a brief safety video
  • Your first and last name exactly as it appears on your current driver's license
  • Your date of birth
  • Your street address
  • Your driver’s license number
  • Your Social Security Number
  • A credit or debit card
  • Do you consider yourself a safe driver? Check your knowledge by watching this video before you renew your driver's license. English Spanish
Step 2: Renew online

 

Get started

Step 3: Get your license in the mail

Your license will arrive through the mail within 30 days. You can keep your expiring license if there are no changes other than address. For more information, contact Central Issuance

Track the delivery of your new card to see when it will arrive.

Fees

The fee for your license renewal is computer-generated as DMV phases in the eight-year license. Your renewal notice will indicate the length on your expiration.
 

Renewal fees:
  • Six-year driver’s license renewal: $72
  • Eight-year driver’s license renewal: $96

Refunds will not be given unless permitted under law

Age 65 and older:

If you’re 65 or older, you can request a two-year driver’s license renewal. You must be at least 65 years of age on the day you request the two-year photo license renewal. Your current license serves as proof of your date of birth. The renewal fee is $24. 


Other fees: 

Additional fee for expired driver’s license renewal: $25

 

NOTE: A $25 late fee will be charged for the renewal of an expired driver's license.

Receipt

Need to access a receipt for a previously completed online transaction? Receipts can be requested online for transactions processed after May 24, 2021.

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  • Who’s eligible
  • How to renew your license in person
  • Fees
  • Public passenger endorsement renewals

Who’s eligible

You can renew your driver’s license in person, by appointment only, on your license expiration date, or as early as 180 days (six months) before your driver’s license expires.

You can’t renew online if any of the following are true for you:

Note: If you want to change your address, it can be done online at least one week prior to renewal or if you are renewing in person. 

 


Change address online

How to renew your license in person

Step 1: Gather what you’ll need

Step 2: Gather additional documents (if applicable) and watch a brief safety video

  • If you are applying for a REAL ID verified license (verified by a gold star on your license or ID card), additional accepted forms of identification are required. If you already have a REAL ID, you don’t need to reapply.

  • If you have lost your Social Security card, find out how to get a replacement

  • If your name has changed since your ID card was issued, bring documentation to verify your name change to your appointment, such as an original or certified copy of a:

    • Marriage license
    • Civil union certificate
    • Divorce decree
    • Probate court name change document 

NOTE: Before changing your name on your driver's license, you'll need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) to file your name change. Learn more. 

  • If you are active-duty in the U.S. military, you’re eligible for a no-fee renewal. Bring these documents to your appointment:

  • If you were honorably discharged from the U.S. military in the last 60 days and want to complete a no-fee renewal, bring these documents to your appointment:

  • Do you consider yourself a safe driver? Check your knowledge by watching this video before you renew your driver's license. English  |  Spanish

Step 3: Make an appointment

Appointments for license renewal can be made at a DMV office, select AAA locations, and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union offices (Milford | North Haven | Norwalk).


NOTE: AAA locations and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union may charge a convenience fee up to $8 per DMV transaction.

 

Step 4: Get your license in the mail

Your license will arrive through the mail within 30 days. You can keep your expiring license if there are no changes other than address. For more on this, please see Central Issuance

Track the delivery of your new card to see when it will arrive to see when it will arrive.

Fees

You pay the same driver’s license renewal fees in person and online. The fee for your license renewal is computer-generated as DMV phases in the eight-year license. Your renewal notice will indicate the length on your expiration. 

Renewal fees:

  • Six-year driver’s license renewal: $72
  • Eight -year driver’s license renewal: $96

Age 65 and older:

If you are age 65 or older, you can request a two-year license renewal. You must be at least age 65 on the day you request the two-year photo license renewal. Your current license serves as proof of date of birth. The renewal fee is $24.


No fee renewal:

You may qualify for a renewal fee waiver if you are active-duty U.S. military or were honorably discharged in the last two years and were a Connecticut resident at the time you joined the service.

 

To qualify for a driver's license renewal fee waiver during an in-person visit to a DMV office you will need the following documents:


Other fees:

  • Additional fee for renewal of expired Driver’s License: $25
  • AAA locations and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union may charge a convenience fee up to $8 per DMV transaction.

NOTE: A $25 late fee will be charged for the renewal of an expired driver's license.

Public passenger endorsement renewals

Public passenger endorsements (PPE) are a special driver’s license category known as public service licenses that certify a person to drive a passenger transportation vehicle such as a school bus, taxis, airport shuttles, etc.) PPEs need to be renewed in person.

In Connecticut, there are four types of public passenger endorsements: S, V, A, or F—learn more about the different endorsements and process for getting them For PPEs, you must have a current, legible, unexpired medical certificate (dated within a year) completed by a certified medical examiner on file with the DMV prior to renewal.

Complete self-certification now 

Please fax your current medical certificate card to 860-263-5568 or email your current card to DMV.CDL@CT.gov

For a printed confirmation notice of self-certification with DMV, applicants must self-certify through the DMV website and print a confirmation notice. 

 

Additional renewal requirements for “S” endorsement holders:

"S" endorsement operators must also successfully pass all sections of the endorsement-specific road test to obtain the proper endorsements on your license. You must wait two to five business days after you pass your road test to obtain an endorsement on your license. This test must be dated within one year for renewal.

 

Additional renewal requirements for “V” endorsement holders:

Present a copy of your school bus/STV driver training certificate (Form R-360) (dated within one year) at your renewal appointment.

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  • Who’s eligible to renew by mail
  • Who’s not eligible to renew by mail
  • How to renew your license by mail
  • Fees
  • How military personnel can renew their Connecticut drivers license

Who’s eligible to renew by mail

You can renew by mail in the following scenarios:

 

Military

If you’re active-duty U.S. military or were honorably discharged in the last 60 days, you can renew your driver’s license by mail for free. Learn more about how military personnel can renew their driver’s license by mail for free.

Medically unable to appear

If you have a major medical condition and are unable to go to a DMV office location, you can request a renewal by mail by completing an application to renew by mail (Form B-350). 

If you’d like to downgrade to a non-driver ID from a license, you’ll need to complete an additional form (Form P-147) and surrender your license.

Temporarily out of state or country

If you’re currently not in Connecticut or the U.S., you can renew by mail and the license will be mailed to the out of state/country address.

Incarcerated

If you are incarcerated, you can renew your license by mail. You must provide your inmate number and the license will be sent to your facility.

Who’s not eligible to renew by mail

You can’t renew by mail if any of the following are true for you:

  • Your new driver's license or ID is only mailed to the mailing address you provide DMV. If you have mail forwarding, you will NOT receive your driver's license or ID.
  • Your last renewal was processed by mail or online. You need to make an appointment to a DMV branch to take a new picture.
  • You have a commercial driver’s license or any public passenger endorsements.
  • You have a drive-only license. A drive-only license must be renewed in person at a DMV office.
  • If you have established residency in another state, you’ll need to get a license in your state of residency and aren’t allowed to renew your Connecticut driver’s license.

How to renew your license by mail

To renew by mail:

  • Complete an application to renew by mail (Form B-350).
  • Provide a check or money order made payable to “DMV” for the appropriate fee. All checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank and made payable in U.S. funds.
  • NOTE: Please send your renewal at least 10 days prior to expiration, especially if mailing from out of country.
  • Mail form and payment to:
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    60 State Street
    Wethersfield, CT 06161
    Attention: Central Issuance Operations Unit

Fees

The fee for your license renewal is computer-generated as DMV phases in the eight-year license. Your renewal notice will indicate the length on your expiration or view this chart to determine your renewal fee (for credentials expiring through 2025). 

Renewal fees:

  • Six-year driver’s license renewal: $72
  • Eight-year driver’s license renewal: $96
     

Age 65 and older:

If you are age 65 or older, you can request a two-year license renewal. You must be at least age 65 on the day you request the two-year photo license renewal. Your current license serves as proof of date of birth. The renewal fee is $24.

No fee renewal:

If you are active-duty U.S. military or were honorably discharged within the last two years, you can renew your driver’s license for free. Learn more about how military personnel can renew their driver’s license.
 

Other fees:

  • Additional fee for renewal of expired driver’s License: $25

NOTE: A $25 late fee will be charged for the renewal of an expired driver's license.

How military personnel can renew their Connecticut drivers license

If you’re active-duty U.S. military and your home of record is Connecticut, you may renew your Connecticut driver’s license for free.

What to do: 

  • You can also email to the DMV instead at: DMV.CIU@ct.gov
     

Military with honorable discharge

Once you receive an honorable discharge, you have 60 days after the date of discharge to renew your Connecticut driver license. 

In-person license renewals are provided by appointment only. 

This policy only applies to individuals who have been honorably discharged and are able to present documentation to prove this. Military personnel with honorable discharge can also qualify for a one-time renewal fee waiver

Renewal of a commercial driver license (CDL) or public service license by mail

A CDL or public service license renewal needs to be done in person. If you’re unable to appear in person and are requesting a renewal, a voluntary downgrade form (Form P-147) must be completed. 

What to do:

Option to renew online (fee waiver not available)

You can renew your Connecticut driver's license online—learn more about how to renew online

 

NOTE: The fee waiver is not available for renewals performed online. If you would like to request a fee waiver, please follow the instructions at the top of this webpage.