For a driver’s license renewal, bring your current license, a payment method, and any documents your state requires for identity, Social Security number, residency, or lawful presence. Requirements vary by state, but those are the most common items.

Quick Scoop

A simple way to prepare is to check your renewal notice first, because some states let you renew online or by mail with little more than your license number, while in-person renewals often need more documents.

Common items to bring

  • Your current driver’s license.
  • Renewal notice or completed renewal application, if your state sends one.
  • Proof of identity.
  • Social Security number or proof of ineligibility, depending on your state.
  • Proof of residency, usually a physical address document, not a P.O. box.
  • Proof of legal presence or lawful status, if required.
  • Payment for the renewal fee.

When you may need extra documents

If your license has been expired for a long time, some states require all standard identity documents again, and you may also need to retake tests. One example notes that if a license has been expired more than 60 months, all documents are required and a knowledge exam may be needed.

Best move

Check your state DMV site or the renewal notice before you go, because the exact checklist changes by state and by whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.