Renew a driver’s license

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

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.

• Make an appointment at a AAA Office
• Make an appointment at a Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union

Quick Links

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Estimated time to renew license online: 7 minutes

• Online
• In person
• Other ways to renew

• 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:

• You didn’t get a new photo taken the last time you renewed your driver’s license.
• You’re applying for a REAL ID license for the first time. To get a REAL ID, please make an in-person appointment.
• You are active-duty U.S. military or were honorably discharged in the last 60 days and wish to do a no fee renewal. Learn more about how military personnel can renew their driver’s license.
• You’re not a U.S. citizen. Please make an appointment to renew in person.
• You have a commercial driver’s license. Learn how to renew a commercial driver’s license.
• Your license is suspended. Learn more about how to resolve a suspension.
• You have a drive-only license. Learn how to renew a drive-only license.
• Your license is expired two or more years. Please follow the procedure for getting a new driver’s license.
• You have an S, V, A, or F endorsement. Please make an appointment to renew in person.
• You do not have a first name or need to update your name. Please make an appointment to renew in person.

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.

How to renew your license online

Step 1: Gather what you need

• 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

Step 2: Renew online

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.

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.

Renew in person

• 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:

• Your driver’s license is expired two or more years. Please follow the procedure for getting a new driver’s license.
• Your license is suspended. See how to resolve a license suspension.

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.

How to renew your license in person

Step 1: Gather what you’ll need

• Your current driver’s license
• If you don’t have your current license, you must present one form of acceptable identification from the list of acceptable forms of identification. If DMV does not have your image on file, you will be required to present two acceptable forms of identification.
• Payment for fee. Please see acceptable forms of payment.

Step 2: Gather additional documents (if applicable)

• 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:
    • Completed application for a military fee waiver (Form B-88)
    • Active military ID
    • Completed application for a military fee waiver (Form B-88)
    • An original copy of your DD-214 form, also known as a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

    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.

    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.

    • 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.

    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:

    • An application for waiver of driver’s license fee form (Form B-88. The signature of the Commissioned Officer in charge is required.)
    • Your active military ID
    • 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.

    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.