In this guide, we’ll go through everything you need to know to make your Massachusetts driver’s license renewal as stress-free as possible. We’ve also added the current special rules during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Your driver’s license is valid for five years, and you can renew up to a year ahead of time before it expires. If your license has expired for more than two years, you will need to take the written and driving exams over again.
During Covid-19, licenses that expired in the period were extended. While cards will show as expired, the Massachusetts RMV systems will be updated with the new date. You can check your profile and look up your new expiration date on their Service Site.
You can go online or to any Massachusetts RMV Service Center to renew your id. You can renew your license online up to two times in a row if your id picture is less than 14 years old. This means you have to renew in-person at least once every 15 years.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Massachusetts RMV is reducing visits to their centers as much as possible. You can only renew your license:
We’ll go through the steps to renew your Massachusetts driver’s license in-person and online below.
If your license has expired for more than two years or your id is over 14 years old, you will be unable to renew online.
While the federal government wants ids to be Real ID-compliant by Oct 21, 2021, this requires you to come to the Massachusetts RMV in person. Without a REAL ID, you will not be able to fly or enter government buildings without additional identification.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic – you will receive a standard Driver’s license. You can upgrade to a REAL ID if you need it at no additional cost when they resume Real-Id issuance services.
Here are a few more important things to know before you renew your license.
You can not renew your license if:
You will need to pay any tickets or taxes with the city and get a receipt to show they are paid. For EZ-Pass violations, you will need to call customer service at (877)-627-7745 and arrange to pay them in full before you can renew your Massachusetts License.
Normally, you have two years after your license expires to renew it. After that, you have to take the learner’s permit exam and road test over again before you can be reissued a new license. Check out our Summarized Massachusetts DMV manual and practice tests to prepare, there is no easier way to study the road rules!
In addition, licenses that were set to expire between March and August 2020 have been extended. You can check your new status and expiration date on the Online Service Center.
If you renew before your 21st birthday, you will receive the vertical driver’s license intended for minors with “under 21” written on it. If you wait until you are 21, you will receive the horizontal unrestricted license.
If you are turning 21 soon, you can save time and updated license fees by waiting to renew until your 21st birthday.
Here are a few common items you should have handy to prove your identity. You can find the full list of documents here.
At the time of writing, Class D and Class M Driver’s Licenses can be renewed for $50 each. A Class DM Driver’s License costs $65 each. If you need a license for less than five years, the renewal fee is prorated based on the duration of your lawful presence in the US. For a License, it is $10 per year, and for a basic Massachusetts ID, it is $5 per year.
Renewing your Massachusetts driver’s license does not have to be stressful. If you follow the guide above, you will be done in no time!
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