A drivers license renewal in Connecticut is designed to make sure that state motorists have driving credentials with up-to-date information. As a general rule, you cannot renew a drivers license online in CT. Instead, most motorists will need to visit a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branch in person in order to request a renewal.

Furthermore, it is important to note that a DMV license renewal must be conducted within a specified timeframe. To do so, you will need to meet certain eligibility criteria and pay for the applicable fees. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about renewing a drivers license in Connecticut.

Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in Connecticut

Motorists as young as 16 years of age are able to visit a drivers license office in Connecticut and request for a renewal. On the other hand, residents who are incarcerated or unable to visit the DMV due to medical conditions may qualify to renew their license by mail.

Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in Connecticut

If your license has been suspended, revoked or canceled, you will not be able to request a driving license renewal in CT. Instead, you will need to get it reinstated first. Furthermore, if you misplace your driving credential or it is damaged to the point that it becomes ineligible, you may be required to get a replacement driver’s license instead.

How early can you renew your drivers license in Connecticut?

As a general rule, you can renew your driver’s license in Connecticut as early as six months prior to its expiration date. Conversely, an expired license in CT can be renewed no more than two years after its expiration. Moreover, you will be required to pay an additional fee in order to renew an expired license.

In the event that your license has been expired for longer than two years, you will need to apply for a new license again.

Connecticut DMV License Renewal Options

“Where can I renew my drivers license in Connecticut?” The only option offered to most motorists in CT is to renew their licenses in person at a DMV office. This allows the state to ensure that all the information on their licenses is up-to-date. However, in certain cases, mail-in renewals may be available to eligible residents.

How to Renew Your Drivers License in Person

In order to renew your driving license in person at a local DMV office, you simply need to walk in and present your current credential. Then, you will be required to submit an acceptable payment method for the applicable licensing fees. Acceptable forms of payment include checks, money orders or cash.

If you wish to do so, you may download, print and fill out the state “Drivers License Renewal” form, which is accessible online. This form will ask you to provide personal details about yourself, such as your name, address and Social Security Number (SSN). Unless you are applying for a REAL ID credential, you will not be required to bring any additional documents to the DMV. Furthermore, if you are wondering where to renew your drivers license in Connecticut, consider the following establishments:

• AAA offices
• DMV offices
• Milford Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union
• West Haven City Hall

How to Renew Your Driving License by Mail

In order to renew your CT DMV license by mail, you must have a documentable reason that explains why you cannot visit a DMV office in person. For instance, you may need to justify why you are not currently in the state. Otherwise, you must explain why you are unable to file this request in person due to a medical condition, military service or imprisonment. In any case, you will be able to undergo a DMV license renewal via mail two times before needing to go in person in order to retake the photo for your credential. Here is what you need to renew a drivers license in Connecticut via the mail:

• A filled out “Connecticut Drivers License Renewal” form
• An acceptable payment method for the applicable fees

When filling out the proper drivers license renewal form, you will need to provide personal details about yourself, such as your name, address, height and eye color. You will also be able to register to vote, if you wish to do so. Then, you must send in your application package to the following DMV mailing address:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Attention: Central Issuance Operations Unit
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109

Military & Out of State Renewal in Connecticut

State residents who are currently serving in the military are not required to pay for a Connecticut DMV license renewal fee. Moreover, renewing a driver’s license is also free to veterans who have been honorably discharged if they apply for a renewal no more than two years after being discharged.

Furthermore, if you are out of state when your license is set to expire, you will need to renew your CT driving license via the mail. To learn more about this method, refer to the previous section.

Connecticut REAL ID Drivers License Renewal

Applicants who need to renew their drivers licenses in Connecticut may opt for obtaining credentials that comply with the REAL ID federal guidelines. To do so, you will need to present:

• One document that verifies your identity, such as your current driver’s license, a birth certificate or a passport.
• One document that shows your Social Security Number (SSN), such as your Social Security card or a W-2 form.
• Two documents that prove your state residency, including utility bills, bank correspondence and/or credit card statements.

You may be able to renew a license in Connecticut without presenting all of the abovementioned documentation. However, that license will not be suitable for federal ID purposes. Conversely, if you present all of the required paperwork listed above during your drivers license renewal procedure, your credential will be issued with a star on the upper right-hand corner. That star means that the license is REAL ID-compliant.

Connecticut Drivers License Renewal Fees

“How much is it to renew a drivers license in Connecticut?” This commonly asked question has a few different answers, depending on your situation:

• The driving license renewal fee in Connecticut is $72
• If your license is expired, you will be required to pay an additional $25
• If you do not visit a DMV office in person, you may be charged an $8 fee for a renewal

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