A NY drivers license renewal application must be completed online, by mail or at your local DMV office. Depending on your eligibility, you may be restricted to renewing your license in person. REAL ID cards are available in New York and may be renewed online or by mail. Restrictions apply.

DMV license renewal fees vary and are based on your address. Additional fines and fees may be applied if your license has expired. While out-of-state renewals are available, military members must submit additional paperwork if their licenses expire during active duty.

Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in New York

Residents of New York are only eligible to renew drivers licenses online if they do not need to take new photographs. Similarly, the address on file at the DMV must be up-to-date before an application can be processed. Commercial drivers licenses cannot be renewed via New York’s online DMV system.

Fines may be applied to an expired drivers license if the renewal application is not submitted within the state’s grace period. If you are found driving on an expired license, you may be subject to the following late fees and fines.

• $25 to $40 if expired for less than 60 days.
• $75 to $300 if expired for more than 60 days.

Additional state taxes and surcharges may be applied to all expired applications.

Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in New York

You cannot submit a drivers license renewal online if your address does not match the one on file at the DMV. Similarly, you cannot renew a REAL ID card online or by mail if the DMV does have the correct paperwork on file. Class changes cannot be made during online DMV license renewals and must be submitted in person or by mail. Furthermore, you cannot change the class of your license when submitting an NY DMV renewal, unless it is one of the following approved transitions:

• From CDL, Class A, B or C to Class D, E, or non-commercial Class C
• From non-commercial Class C or E to Class D
• From non-commercial Class C to Class E
• From Class D to Class E

How early can you renew your drivers license in New York?

Applicants are invited to renew their licenses up to one year before it expires. DMV license renewals are also allowed up to two years after a license expires. However, additional fees and fines may be applied. If you renew your license up to one year prior to the expiration date, it will not affect the length of time that the new license is valid. A drivers license renewal submitted two years after the expiration date must be processed as a new license. Written tests, skills tests and courses may be required.

Where can I Renew my Drivers License in New York

The state of New York offers residents three methods to renew a drivers license: online, by mail or in person. Each method involves separate steps and follows unique guidelines.

How to Renew Your Drivers License Online

Applicants who currently hold a REAL ID or wish to renew their standard license, may do so online. However, if you wish to renew a standard drivers license online and upgrade to a REAL ID card, you must complete your application at the DMV. Follow the below steps to apply online and keep the same credentials:

1. Take and pass the DMV eye test. These tests are available at over 2,300 approved locations, including pharmacies, eye care providers and physicians’ offices. Fees may apply. An eye test report may be downloaded from the NY DMV website and completed by the healthcare professional. However, this form does not need to be physically submitted to complete the application online.
2. Complete your NY voter registration, if applicable.
3. Complete the online drivers license renewal form. You will be required to enter personal information, such as your Social Security Number and address.
4. Pay the DMV license renewal fee.
5. Download a temporary license. Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 business days.

How to Renew Driving Licenses by Mail

Eligible applicants may apply for a REAL ID or standard DMV license renewal by mail. Follow the below steps to submit an application.

1. Complete and submit the renewal notice sent to you in the mail.
2. Complete a DMV license renewal form if you did not receive a renewal notice.
3. Complete a vision test report or provide proof that you have been tested.
4. Include a check or money order payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Do not send cash in the mail.
5. Send the above items to the following address.

NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
207 Genesee Street, Suite 6
Utica, NY  13501-2874

After an application has been sent, drivers may check the status of their request online. Applications are typically process within two weeks.

How to Renew My License in Person

Residents may visit an NY drivers license office to submit a renewal in person. Complete the following steps to renew a standard NY license.

1. Complete and submit the renewal notice sent to you in the mail. Alternatively, you may complete the renewal application form if no notice was received.
2. Submit your current license.
3. Pay the drivers license renewal

Military & Out of State Renewal in New York

Out-of-state drivers license renewal applications may be sent by mail. However, you must send a self-addressed stamped envelope with the application to have your new license sent to an out-of-state address.

Military personnel wanting to extend a drivers license renewal application may do so by submitting a Military Service Notification form to the DMV. Once received, the NY DMV will extend the license for six months after the applicant has been released from active duty. Military members must then renew their drivers licenses within the first six months of being discharged. Additional paperwork from commanding officers may be required for expired licenses.

New York REAL ID Drivers License Renewal

While REAL ID DMV license renewals are not mandatory, they will become mandatory in 2020. Passengers wishing to take domestic flights without a passport must hold a REAL ID card. Therefore, it is recommended to update your standard license with a REAL ID card during the renewal process.

Drivers license renewals issued before October 30, 2017 are not REAL ID compliant. The standard license is marked with the phrase NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES. Complete the following steps to upgrade your standard license for a REAL ID card at the DMV.

1. Complete and submit the DMV license renewal notice sent to you in the mail. Alternatively, you may complete the Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card form if no notice was received.
2. Submit your current license.
3. Provide proof of date of birth. Your standard NY license may be used.
4. Provide proof of Social Security Number, such as your Social Security card or a current W-2 form.
5. Provide proof of NY residency in two forms, such as a bank statement and utility bill.
6. Provide proof of identification, such as a valid United States passport or certified United States birth certificate.
7. Pay the drivers license renewal fee.

All identification documents must show the same name and be the original versions or certified copies.

New York Drivers License Renewal Fees

The drivers license renewal fee will be marked on your renewal notice. In some cases, residents of the areas below must pay an additional Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District fee. The MCTD fee is $1 for every six months the license is valid.

• Bronx
• Kings (Brooklyn)
• New York (Manhattan)
• Queens
• Richmond (Staten Island)
  • Dutchess
  • Nassau
  • Orange
  • Putnam
  • Rockland
  • Suffolk
  • Westchester

A REAL ID license renewal does not cost extra. However, an additional $30 must be paid for all renewals. See below for a breakdown of NY DMV licensing costs.

• Class A, B, C and CDL renewals are $164.50 or $180.50 with the MCTD fee added.
• Class D or DJ renewals are $64.50 or $80.50 with the MCTD fee added.
• Class E renewals are $112.50 or $128.50 with the MCTD fee added.
• Class M or MJ renewals are $72.50 or $88.50 with the MCTD fee added.

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