Your drivers license in Connecticut is valid for six years. Before your license is about to expire, the CT Department of Motor Vehicles will send you a renewal notice informing you to renew your license. You are allowed to renew as early as four months before the expiration date. Failing to renew your CT driving license will result in late fees. As a general rule, you can renew your driver’s license in Connecticut as early as six months prior to its expiration date. Conversely, an expired license in CT can be renewed no more than two years after its expiration. Moreover, you will be required to pay an additional fee in order to renew an expired license.
Your license always expires on your birthday, usually five years after it was issued. It is your responsibility to renew your license before the expiration date. Approximately two months before the license is due to expire, the DMV sends a renewal notice with instructions for how to renew. You will not receive a renewal notice if your mail is forwarded, if your license is suspended or if you moved and did not notify the DMV of your new address. You do not have to wait for a renewal notice in order to renew your license. You can renew your license in person up to six months prior to the expiration date. If you are interested in obtaining a REAL ID compliant driver license at your next renewal, please visit our REAL ID webpage for more information.
Renew Online
If you are eligible to renew your license online, you will receive a renewal notice containing a 'Renewal Identification Number (RIN)'. If you received a notice containing a RIN and you wish to renew your license online, go to:
If you did not receive a renewal notice, misplaced your notice or if your notice does not list a RIN, you are not eligible to renew online and you must renew in person at a DMV office. Commercial drivers are not eligible for online renewal and should review Renew a Commercial Driver License.
Renew In Person
To renew a New Hampshire driver license in-person, go to any DMV office with:
- Your current New Hampshire license.
- An Application for a Driver License.
You must pass a vision test, pay a renewal fee and have a new photo taken. The DMV will issue you a 60-day, temporary paper license, and the permanent license will be mailed to your New Hampshire mailing address within 60 days.
Proof of Identity
You must have your current driver license with you when you renew. If you cannot locate your current driver license, you must provide proof of identity. If your image is on file at the DMV, you may use the image on file as proof of identity. If your image is not on file at the DMV, you must bring positive proof of identification and NH residency to renew the type of license you hold (REAL ID compliantor non-compliant).
Expired Licenses
Your license expiration date is listed on the front of the license in red. If your license expires, you can not legally drive until you renew it. The requirements for renewing an expired license will depend on how long it has been expired:
- Expired for less than one year, renew as usual at any DMV office (if you are a Non-US Citizen, please visit Renew a Driver License for Non-US Citizens.
- Expired for longer than one year but less than three years, bring proper identification and residency documentation for the license type that you hold (REAL ID compliantor non-compliant) to any DMV office.
- Expired for three years or more, bring proper identification and residency documentation for the license type that you hold (REAL ID compliantor non-compliant) to any DMV office and you must pass a vision test, knowledge test and road test to renew your license.
Related Links
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a specific process in place for renewing a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
If it’s time for you to complete the CDL renewal process, or if you are just trying to prepare in advance, keep reading to see what steps you will need to follow in order to do so.
Renewing a CT Commercial Driver’s License
In Connecticut, your CDL will need to be renewed every 4 years, at least 1 week before your birthday. You should expect to receive a renewal form in the mail to the address* you have on file at the DMV.
You will ALSOneed an up-to-date medical certificate done by a certified medical examiner on record with the DMV office BEFORE you renew. See our section about the medical certificate below for details.
When you head to your local DMV office to renew your CDL, bring your:
- Completed renewal application form.
- Printed receipt of confirmation that you are self-certified with the DMV. You can self certify on the DMV self-certification page.
- Current commercial driver’s license.
- If you don’t have your current license, you will need to bring 2 documents proving your ID.
If you would like to get a license that is federally compliant with the REAL ID Act, you should also be prepared to show documents proving your:
- Identity.
- Social Security number.
- Legal U.S. presence.
- CT residence (2 documents).
- Name change (if applicable).
The Connecticut DMV website has a REAL ID document checklist with a full list of acceptable documents.
Once you complete the renewal process at the DMV, you will be given a temporary paper card to hold on to, along with your expiring license, while you wait for your new license to come in the mail.
*By law, you have 48 hours to inform the DMV if you are to change addresses. If you don’t receive your notice in the mail, please contact the DMV at (800) 842-8222.
Commercial Drivers Practice Tests (CDL)
We offer a series of DMV Practice tests to help you prepare for your Commercial Driver License test. In addition to carefully studying your state's driver handbook, these tests will give you an idea about the types of questions you may see on the actual written test.
- 100 Questions - Unlimited Tests$14.95
- 50 Questions - Unlimited Tests$9.95
CDL Endorsement Renewals in CT
If you have any endorsements on your commercial driver’s license, you may need to take additional steps in renewing your CDL to keep the endorsement current.
For example, ALL HAZMAT endorsement renewals in Connecticut MUST be done at DMV Hub Offices. See our page on how to renew a HAZMAT endorsement.
If you have any questions about endorsement renewal requirements, contact the DMV at (800) 842-8222.
Medical Examiner’s Certification
By law, you must renew your Medical Examiner’s Certificate every 2 years. This certificate must be on file with the DMV before you can renew your CDL.
The process essentially mirrors that from your initial application. You will need to:
- Visit a certified medical examiner.
- Have them fill out the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876).
- You can upload your medical certification using the Connecticut's Online Medical Certification System.
Ct Dmv Expired License Renewal Locations
For more information on getting your Medical Examiner’s Certificate, see our page on applying for a new CT CDL.
Ct Dmv Expired License Renewal California
CDL Renewal Fees in Connecticut
The following fees are associated with renewing a commercial driver’s license:
- Renewal fee: $70 for 4 years.
- Renewal with a public passenger endorsement or restriction: $118.
- Late fee for renewing an expired CDL: $25.
The CT DMV website has a location-specific list of acceptable payment methods.
Forms
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