Vermont driver's license renewal by mail or online
Vermont lets you renew your driver's license by mail or online, depending on your age and how long it has been since your last renewal. Most people renew online through the Vermont DMV website — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $70 for an eight-year license. If you cannot renew online, you can mail in a renewal form and payment, though this takes longer and you will not have a valid license until the new one arrives.
You are may be able to access to renew by mail or online if your license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical suspensions or restrictions, and you have not had a name change since your last license was issued. If any of those do not explore to you, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you renew online, or 10 to 14 business days if you renew by mail. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if your current license has expired.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Vermont DMV website is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes; your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
- You can renew online only if your license expired within the last five years, you have no medical suspensions, and your name has not changed.
- Mail renewal costs the same as online renewal ($70 for eight years) but takes 10 to 14 business days and requires you to print and mail a form.
- You can legally drive on your expired license until your new one arrives in the mail.
- If you cannot renew by mail or online, you must visit a DMV office in person with proof of identity and residency.
Renewing online through the Vermont DMV website
Go to the Vermont DMV website and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a credit or debit card to pay the $70 renewal fee. The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer a few questions about your driving record and medical history.
Once you submit your renewal, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need to change your address, do that before you renew — you can update your address on the DMV website without renewing your license.
Online renewal works only if you are renewing a standard driver's license or non-driver ID card. If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must renew in person at a DMV office.
Renewing by mail
read the Vermont DMV License Renewal Form from the DMV website, print it, and fill it out completely. Include your current driver's license number, your full name, date of birth, and current address. Sign and date the form.
Mail the completed form along with a check or money order for $70 (made payable to "Vermont DMV") to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of proof of residency if your address has changed since your last renewal — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works.
Mail renewal takes 10 to 14 business days from the time the DMV receives your form. Your new license will be mailed to the address you listed on the form. You can drive legally on your expired license until the new one arrives.
When you must renew in person at a DMV office
You must visit a DMV office to renew if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have a medical suspension or restriction on your license, if your name has changed since your last renewal, or if you hold a commercial driver's license. You also must renew in person if you want to change your address and cannot do so online before renewing.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or other state ID), and proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the office is. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Vermont DMV office locations and hours
Vermont has five full-service DMV offices: Montpelier (the main office), Rutland, St. Johnsbury, Brattleboro, and Williston. Each office handles renewals, replacements, and new licenses. Hours vary by location — most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but some close for lunch.
You do not need an appointment for license renewal at most offices, but wait times can be long during lunch hours and late afternoon. The Montpelier office is typically the busiest. Check the Vermont DMV website for current hours and any temporary closures before you visit.
Scams and safety alerts
Do not pay to renew your license through any website other than the official Vermont DMV website (dmv.vermont.gov). Scammers create fake DMV websites that look nearly identical to the real one and charge extra fees or steal your personal information. If you are unsure whether a website is real, go directly to the Vermont DMV homepage and find the renewal link from there.
The Vermont DMV will never contact you by phone, email, or text to ask you to renew your license or pay a fee. If someone claiming to be from the DMV contacts you, do not give them any personal information — hang up or delete the message and contact the DMV directly using the phone number on their official website.
Do not use third-party services that claim to renew your license for you. These services charge extra money and do not speed up the process. You can renew yourself online for $70 in about 10 minutes.
What happens if your license expires before your renewal arrives
You can legally drive on your expired license while you are waiting for your new one to arrive in the mail, as long as you have submitted a renewal form (either online or by mail) and have a confirmation number or receipt. Keep that confirmation or receipt with you while you drive.
If you are pulled over by police, show them your expired license and your renewal confirmation. Police understand that renewal licenses take time to arrive and will not cite you for driving with an expired license if you can show proof that you have renewed.
If your new license does not arrive within the timeframe the DMV gave you (7 to 10 days for online, 10 to 14 days for mail), contact the Vermont DMV by phone or through their website to report it. They can check the status of your renewal and reissue the license if it was lost in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Vermont license if I live out of state?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail from anywhere, as long as your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no medical suspensions. You will need to keep a Vermont address on file or update it to your current address before you renew. If you have moved out of state permanently, you may want to transfer your license to your new state instead of renewing in Vermont.
What if I need my license before the new one arrives?
You can legally drive on your expired license while waiting for the new one. If you need proof of identity for something other than driving (like opening a bank account), you can print your renewal confirmation from the online system or bring your receipt from a mail renewal. Some businesses will accept this as temporary proof of identity.
Do I have to renew in person if I want a REAL ID?
Vermont driver's licenses are REAL ID-compliant by default, so you do not need to do anything special. Your renewed license will be REAL ID-compliant whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you want to confirm your license is REAL ID-compliant, look for a small star in the upper right corner of your license.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
Yes, you can renew your license even if you have unpaid traffic tickets or fines. However, the Vermont DMV may suspend your license if you do not pay a fine by the important date set by the court. Check with the court that issued the ticket to find out the important date and amount owed.
How much does it cost to renew a Vermont driver's license?
A standard eight-year renewal costs $70, whether you renew online or by mail. If your license expires before you turn 21, the renewal is shorter and costs less — check the DMV website for current pricing for licenses expiring before age 21. There are no additional fees for online renewal.