Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and when it expires
New Jersey lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online (fastest, if you're may be able to access), by mail (takes 7 to 10 business days), or in person at an MVC office (same-day service). Which route you can use depends on whether your license is a REAL ID (the gold star in the corner) or a standard license, and how long it's been since you last renewed.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new one in person. If it expired within the last five years, you can renew. The online option is available only if your current license is not expired and you're renewing a standard license (not REAL ID). REAL ID renewals must happen by mail or in person.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only for standard licenses that are not yet expired and takes about one week to receive your new license by mail.
- Mail renewal requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and payment, and takes 7 to 10 business days.
- In-person renewal at an MVC office gives you a temporary license the same day and your permanent license by mail within two weeks.
- REAL ID renewals cannot be done online and require either mail or an in-person visit with proof of citizenship and residency.
- Your license expires on your birthday, and you can renew up to six months before expiration.
Online renewal for standard licenses
Go to nj.gov/mvc and select "Renew Your License" under the Online Services section. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will verify your identity using information on file with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
You pay the renewal fee (currently $24.50 for a four-year renewal or $36.50 for an eight-year renewal) by credit or debit card. Your new license arrives by mail in about seven business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal is not available if your license has already expired, if you need to change your address, or if you hold a REAL ID license.
Mail renewal with a completed form
read Form BA-64 (process for Renewal of Driver's License) from nj.gov/mvc or pick one up at any MVC office. Fill in your current information, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form (currently the MVC's Trenton office).
Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date the MVC receives your envelope. Your new license arrives by mail. If you need to change your address, you must use mail renewal or go in person — you cannot change your address online. Mail renewal works for both standard and REAL ID licenses.
In-person renewal at an MVC office
Visit any MVC office with your current driver's license and payment. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number (W-2, tax return, or Social Security statement). If you are renewing a REAL ID license, you must also bring proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and proof of New Jersey residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days).
The MVC will issue you a temporary license on the spot that is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license arrives by mail within two weeks. You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check nj.gov/mvc for current wait times before you go.
What to bring and what it costs
| Renewal Type | Documents Needed | Fee | Time to Receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (standard license only) | Current license number, SSN, email | $24.50 (4 years) or $36.50 (8 years) | 7 business days |
| Mail (standard or REAL ID) | Current license, Form BA-64, payment | $24.50 (4 years) or $36.50 (8 years) | 7–10 business days |
| In-person standard license | Current license, SSN proof, payment | $24.50 (4 years) or $36.50 (8 years) | Temporary same day; permanent in 2 weeks |
| In-person REAL ID | Current license, SSN proof, citizenship proof, residency proof, payment | $24.50 (4 years) or $36.50 (8 years) | Temporary same day; permanent in 2 weeks |
When you can renew and what happens if you wait too long
You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. Your expiration date is your birthday. If you renew early, your new license will expire on the same date as your old one would have — the MVC does not extend your expiration date.
If your license expires, you can still renew it by mail or in person within five years of expiration. After five years, you must explore for a new license, which requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a road test. Driving on an expired license is illegal in New Jersey, even if you have renewed it and are waiting for the new one to arrive.
Address changes and other updates
If you need to change your address during renewal, you cannot do it online. Use mail renewal or visit an MVC office in person. Bring the same documents as you would for a standard renewal, plus proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days).
If you need to update your name, change your gender marker, or correct other information on your license, you must go to an MVC office in person. These changes require additional documents (marriage certificate for name changes, court order for gender marker changes) and cannot be done online or by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while I wait for my renewed license to arrive?
Yes, if you renewed online or by mail. Your current license remains valid until your new one arrives. If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary license valid for 30 days, and you can drive on that while your permanent license is in the mail.
What if my license is already expired?
If it expired within the last five years, you can still renew by mail or in person. If it expired more than five years ago, you must explore for a new license, which includes a written test and road test. You cannot legally drive on an expired license while waiting for renewal.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
No appointment is required for a standard renewal. Walk-in service is available at all MVC offices, though wait times vary. Check nj.gov/mvc for current wait times before you visit, and go early in the day or mid-week to avoid peak hours.
What is the difference between a standard license and REAL ID?
A REAL ID license has a gold star in the top right corner and meets federal identification standards for air travel and federal building access. A standard license does not. Both are valid for driving. REAL ID renewals require proof of citizenship and cannot be done online.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew in person?
You get a temporary license the same day you visit the MVC office. Your permanent license arrives by mail within two weeks. The temporary license is valid for 30 days and can be used for driving and identification during that time.