Ohioans can renew their license in person, online, or by mail through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). All renewals require $27.75 in fees, and you can expect your new license by mail in about 10 days.

You can renew your
Ohio driver’s license
in person at your local Ohio BMV, by mail, or online through the BMV’s website.
Online services to renew your driver’s license in
Ohio
have been available since July 2022.
No matter how you renew, you’ll pay a renewal fee of $27.75.
Your new ID card will be mailed to you—it usually takes about 10 days to arrive.

When to renew your driver’s license in Ohio

Look for your license’s expiration date on the front of your card, right next to where the license class is listed.

You can renew your license when it is set to expire in six months or less. When you renew changes the length of time your current license is valid for:

If you renew more than 90 days before the expiration date, your new license will expire in 3 years

If you renew within 90 days of the expiration date, your new license will expire in 4 years

There are special rules for drivers who are under 21. At most, you’ll be able to renew 30 days before your license expires—but you’ll also get an extra 30 days to complete your renewal if you miss your deadline.

MORE:

Driving without a license: what are the penalties?

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How to renew your driver’s license in Ohio

You may be able to renew your license by mail, online, or in person.

Renew your license in person

Renewing in person at an Ohio BMV location is relatively easy as long as your license is still valid or expired less than six months ago. Just bring your current license as identification and pass a vision test—no appointment necessary.

You will also need to bring cash, credit card, a check, or a money order to the DMV to cover the $27.75 fee.

Things get more complicated if your license is more than six months out of date. You’ll need to take a new driver exam and bring additional documents to prove your:

Legal name and date of birth (like your birth certificate)

Social security number

Proof of Ohio residency

Citizenship or legal residency

Skip the added paperwork and make sure you renew your license early!

Renew your license by mail

Out-of-state residents can renew by mail. Your first step is requesting a packet from the Ohio BMV. You can do so by calling 844-644-6268 or sending an email through the BMV website.

You may be eligible for renewal by mail if:

You are only living out of state temporarily

Your license has yet to expire or has been expired for less than 6 months

You have an Ohio address on file with the BMV

Your license is not currently suspended

You are not in prison

Once you’ve received your packet, fill out all the information and return it with cash or a check that covers the renewal costs.

Renew your license online

As of July 2022, you can renew your Ohio license online through the

Ohio BMV portal

at bmv.ohio.gov.

To be eligible for online driver’s license renewal, you must have:

An OH|ID login

A current license issued in person

Your photo on file with the BMV

You’ll also need a valid credit card to pay the $27.75 in renewal fees. Your new license will be mailed to you after the process is complete.

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How long does it take to renew an Ohio driver’s license?

After you renew, you’ll get your new license in the mail within 10 business days.

MORE:

How to complete a change of address in Ohio

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FAQs

Is there a grace period for Ohio driver’s license renewal?

There’s a 60-day grace period to complete your DL/ID renewal after your expiration date passes. Renewing an expired license after your grace period is up means that you’ll face extra penalties.

What about if I’m renewing my license after the grace period?

Renewing after your grace period is up will require you to get a temporary permit before your license can be renewed. You’ll also need to pass the written knowledge exam and driving test.

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