It is illegal to drive with an expired driver license. If your license is about to expire or expired less than 6 months ago, you may renew it in person at any deputy registrar license agency .
If you renew your license within 90 days of expiration, your new license will expire in 4 years. If you renew more than 90 days before expiration, your license will expire in 3 years. If you are turning 21, you cannot renew more than 30 days before your birthday.
ONLINE SERVICES To get started, click on a box below OPLATES. Renew/replace/exchange your vehicle plates. Military Service Members/Dependents can renew their Driver License/ID Card or request a Duplicate License/ID Card. Ohio Department of Public Safety 1970 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio.
Plan of Action
APPLY AT A DEPUTY REGISTRAR LICENSE AGENCY
You don't need an appointment. Find a deputy registrar office near you.
DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF DOCUMENT
You may choose to apply for a Compliant or Standard license depending on your needs. Note that only a Compliant DL-ID meets national travel security requirements. You will need more documents to get a Compliant driver license.
BRING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
To get a compliant driver license, bring your current OH driver license and the proof of the following:
Your legal name and date of birth
Legal presence in the US
Social Security Number
Ohio street address (2 documents)
Check the virtual checklist of acceptable documents and make a choice correctly.
If you choose to get a standard license, bring your current OH driver license.
If you need a name change, you must also provide proof of the change.
PAY THE FEE
$25.75 paid by credit card, cash, check or money order.
Your new Ohio driver license will arrive by mail in about 10 days after the renewal. In most cases, it will be valid for 4 years. You may check the processing status of your license here.
If your driver license expired more than 6 months ago, you must get a temporary permit and pass knowledge, vision and road tests.
1. Get Started Online With Drivers License Renewal Assistance
In most states, you can renew your drivers license online, by mail or in person. However, be mindful that the online method is only available to certain applicants, depending on their age and citizenship status. During an online license renewal, you will be asked to identify yourself and pay the applicable service fees. To make sure that you are fully prepared to complete the process, you can download our informative online guide. Our guide contains everything you need to know to renew your driving license quickly and easily. In it, you will also get step-by-step details about how to complete other important licensing transactions, such as replacing your license or updating your name or address.
2. By Mail
Certain motorists are eligible to renew their drivers licenses by mail. If your state DMV offers this option, you will be asked to fill out a renewal notice or request form and include certain supporting documentation in your application package. Additionally, you will need to provide an acceptable payment method for the renewal fees, typically a check or money order. All of these documents must be sent to a specified DMV mailing address. It is important to note that this method includes processing times, so it may take longer than others to complete. To minimize your wait time and to avoid delays, be sure to attach the correct paperwork to your renewal form.
3. In Person at the DMV
When renewing your driving license at the DMV, you may be required to pass a vision screening, to retake your photograph and to pay a service fee. Generally, you will need to present your existing license, fill out a drivers license renewal form and assess that your information is still up-to-date on the DMV’s records. Because many drivers are typically unsure of which forms to fill out in order to complete their transactions, delays are common when applying in person. Furthermore, potential mistakes on your application may require you to visit the DMV more than once to successfully renew your license.
As of July 2, 2018, an Ohio drivers license renewal application may be used to obtain a REAL ID compliant card. Residents have the choice to renew their standard license or upgrade to the new version. Eligibility requirements differ for each type of card. The OH DMV does not allow applicants to renew drivers licenses online or by mail, although there are some exceptions. Resident must apply in person at a DMV office.
DMV license renewal fees must be paid in full at a local Deputy Registrar License Agency. Eligible out-of-state applicants may submit a renewal by mail. Restrictions apply. Although license renewals may be performed at any time prior to the expiration date, early submissions may result in your license being valid for a shorter period of time. Continuing reading below for more information.
Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in Ohio
Note: You can find the expiration date on the front of your Ohio driver’s license, right next to the class of your license.
Drivers license renewal applications may only be submitted if the card is valid or has been expired for less than six months.
If the driver does not present his or her current license to the DMV, the following documents must be provided instead:
Proof of your legal name, such as a United States passport
Proof of your date of birth, such as a United States birth certificate
Proof of Social Security Number, if applicable
Proof of residency in Ohio, such as a bank statement
Proof or legal presence, such as a United States passport
Proof of legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, if applicable
Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in Ohio
A DMV license renewal cannot be performed if the card has been expired for more six months. Residents must apply for a new license and take all appropriate tests.
While most residents may renew their licenses several months in advance, drivers under the age of 21 cannot submit a renewal more than 30 days before their birthday.
How early can you renew your drivers license in Ohio?
A drivers license renewal application may be submitted at any point before the expiration date. However, an early renewal may affect the length of time the new license is valid. For example, a DMV license renewal submitted more than 90 days before the expiration date will be valid for three years. However, if a DMV renewal is submitted within 90 days of the license’s expiration date, the new card will last for four years.
Where to Renew Drivers Licenses in Ohio
Renewals must be competed at a drivers license office and cannot be submitted online or by mail. Certain allowances are granted to out-of-state residents. In all other cases, applicants must visit a Deputy Registrar License Agency to renew their credentials.
How do I renew my drivers license in person?
An OH DMV license renewal must be completed at a Deputy Registrar License Agency. Depending on the type of license you are renewing, you may be required to bring additional paperwork. Follow the below steps to renew a standard Ohio license.
Visit your local Deputy Registrar License Agency.
Present your current OH drivers license.
Provide proof of identity, if applicable. If you do not present your current drivers license, you must submit;
Proof of legal name
Proof of SSN
Proof of residency
Proof of legal presence
Proof of date of birth
Pay the drivers license renewal fee.
Military & Out of State Drivers License Renewals in Ohio
Eligible out-of-state residents may submit a drivers license renewal packet to the OH DMV by mail. However, applicants must meet the following requirements to apply:
They must have an Ohio address on record.
They must be a citizen of the United States or present valid permanent residency documents.
They cannot be downgrading from a commercial license to a Class D license.
They cannot submit a DMV license renewal for a suspended or cancelled license.
They cannot be incarcerated.
If you are eligible, you may request a renewal packet by emailing the OH DMV or calling 614-752-7600. Applicants must return the drivers license renewal packet within 180 days of the license’s expiration date. While the renewal packet may be sent to an Ohio address, the new license must be mailed to the out-of-state address listed on the application.
Military members with an expired drivers license may be exempt from taking additional knowledge and driving tests. Applicants are only exempt if they:
Have been on active duty and submit a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).
Have been honorably discharged and submit a certificate confirming that they are safe to operate a vehicle.
Had a valid drivers license when entering active duty.
Applicants must submit a DMV license renewal application within six months of returning from active service. A military DD214 form must also be provided. Vision tests may be required.
Ohio REAL ID Drivers License Renewal
Drivers license renewal applications may be used to obtain REAL ID compliant cards. Federally compliant cards will be the only type of license accepted on domestic flights after October 1, 2020. Although the upgrade is not mandatory, residents are encouraged to buy compliant cards if they do not plan to travel using a passport. If you wish to upgrade your credentials when submitting a DMV license renewal application, you may do so by following the below steps:
Visit your local Deputy Registrar License Agency.
Present your OH DMV license.
Provide proof of identity, if applicable. If you do not present your current drivers license, you must submit:
Proof of legal name, such as a current Ohio ID card.
Proof of SSN, if applicable.
Proof of residency in two forms. Documents, such as a mortgage statement or school transcript are acceptable forms of proof.
Proof of legal presence, such as a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) document or a United States passport.
Proof of date of birth, such as a United States birth certificate or a permanent resident card.
Pay the REAL ID DMV license renewal fee.
Ohio Drivers License Renewal Fees
The OH DMV accepts cash, checks, money orders and credit cards. A transaction fee of $3.50 may be applied to your order.
See below for a breakdown of the state’s licensing costs.
Drivers License Renewal $25.75
Vision Screening $2.75
Lamination Fee $1.50
Related Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.