You can renew up to 1 year before and 2 years after your license expires. Renewing your license anytime within this period will not affect the expiration date of your new driver license or the fees. 

If your license expires for 2 years or more, you must apply for an original. You must pass the vision test and the written test, complete a pre-licensing course and pass a road test. See how to get a driver license.

If you drive with an expired license and get a traffic ticket, you will receive fines and penalties:

• 60 days or less after the expiration date: $25 to $40 plus state and local surcharges
• more than 60 days after the expiration date: $75 to $300 plus state and local surcharges

Update Your Address

Your address must match DMV records. You may first change your address online and then renew. If you do not update your address there is no guarantee that the U.S. Postal Service will forward your DMV documents to your new address. See how to change your address.

Please note: You may have different mailing and residential addresses. If you have a standard license it will show your mailing address. If you have a REAL ID or Enhanced license it will show your residential address. See more information about different license types.

If You Are Turning 21 Soon

If you renew more than 40 days before your 21st birthday, your license will still display “UNDER 21.” If you renew fewer than 40 days before your 21st birthday, your license will not display “UNDER 21."

If you already have an Enhanced or REAL ID, or you want to keep your Standard, you can renew online (unless you have a commercial license). Your document type will stay the same.

Vision Test 

You will need to pass an eye test by an approved provider. You can use the DMV Vision Registry to find an approved provider near you or have a medical professional of your choice complete a Vision Test Report (PDF) (MV-619). You will be asked to enter the report information in the online transaction. You do not need to mail or bring us the report if you renew online. Approved professionals include physician, physician’s assistant, ophthalmologist, optometrist, optician, registered nurse, or nurse professional. 

Renew License Online

 
After you renew, you can download and print a temporary license in PDF format to use until your new license arrives. Due to a greater than normal volume of renewals, there may be a delay in receipt of your permanent document. Your temporary document is valid for 60 days.

If you already have an Enhanced or REAL ID, or you want to keep your Standard, you can renew by mail. Your document type will stay the same. 

Complete the renewal notice we mailed you and return it with

• a completed Vision Test Report (PDF) (MV-619) - or get tested by an approved vision registry provider
• a check or money order payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles" (See fee chart)

If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can use the Application for Permit, Driver License, or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44).

You must renew at a DMV office if you

• are changing from a standard ID to an Enhanced or REAL ID - see how to get an Enhanced or REAL ID
• want to update your photo
• want to change your license class
• have never been issued a social security number 
• have a commercial driver's license 
• have a temporary visitor date on your license

What to Bring

• A completed renewal notice (MV-2). If you did not receive a renewal notice, use an Application for Permit, Driver License, or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44)
• Your current license
• Payment: by credit/debit card or a check or money order made out to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

Your renewal fee is on the renewal application we mail you and displayed before you pay online. See below for a chart of fees for different types of licenses. 

*Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) fee applies to Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Queens, Richmond (Staten Island); Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester. The MCTD fee is $1.00 for every 6 months the permit or driver license will be in effect. For an 8-year driver license, the MCTD fee is $16.

The additional fee for an enhanced driver license (EDL) is $30.00. The fee is added to the renewal fees for the driver license. There is no additional fee for a REAL ID, just the normal renewal fee will be charged. 

If you have any other class combined with Class M or MJ (example: DM), add an additional $8.00 to the fee above.

See all Driver License and Learner Permit Fees and Refunds

Renew by Mail

Send:

• the renewal notice we mailed you (MV-2) or if you don't have it, use the Application for Permit, Driver License, or Non-driver ID (PDF) (MV-44)
• a Vision Test Report (PDF) (MV-619) completed by an eye care professional 
• a check or money order payable to ‘Commissioner of Motor Vehicles’
• a pre-addressed priority mail return envelope with your application. This will help ensure that we send your license to the correct address.

Renew Online

You can renew online only if you

• have a valid New York driver license
• had an eye exam from the last 12 months saved to the DMV Vision Registry.

However, if you renew online, your license will not be forwarded to you out-of-state or out of the country.

If you have Temporary Visitor status, you must renew in an office.

If your Temporary Visitor status has been extended, you must go to a DMV office with your updated paperwork from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We will update our records to show that your Temporary Visitor status has been extended so you can renew your license. Your new license will have your new temporary visitor expiration date.

You cannot change the class when you renew online. You can make the following license class changes when you renew by mail or at a DMV office. 

Other changes require a written test and a road test. (See how to get a CDL or how to get a motorcycle license).

If you renew 

• by mail, include a note about your class change in your renewal envelope
• at a DMV office, tell the DMV representative about the change

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

You will need to pay the renewal fee for your new driver license class.