YourDriversLicense.org is a PRIVATELY OWNED website that is NOT owned or operated by any state government agency.

michigan drivers license renewal - MI

Renew your Michigan Drivers license. Prepare all your DMV info. There are three different manners in which you can renew your license in Michigan. The following are your options: By mail, at a DMV branch or Online. Every driver has the option of showing up in person to any secretary of state office. The option of renewing by mail is only valid if you meet all of the required conditions, which we will clearly describe below. Your other alternative is to use our site and download your checklist. We’ll supply you with all of the necessary forms, rules, and steps. Please continue reading below to get started with your Michigan license renewal.

Michigan Drivers License Renewal Information

Expiration Date

The expiration date of your license expires on the date listed on your actual driver’s license. If you are older than twenty one (21), your license is valid for four (4) years. Drivers younger than 21 will have their license expire on their twenty first (21st) birthday. Your expiration date will always fall on your date of birth. Finally, please remember that you must carry your license on you, at all times while driving. It is illegal to drive without your license.

Renewal Notice

You will receive a renewal notice via mail forty five (45) days before the expiration of your drivers license. The SOS will mail the renewal notice to the address on file. Please make sure to update the SOS of any change of address. You are required to report a change of address or your license could be suspended.

When To Renew

It’s best if you renew your driver’s license on, or before its expiration date. If you would like to prepare ahead of time, Michigan will allow you to renew your license one (1) year before it expires. If you wait to renew after it expires, you will be required to pay the $7 late renewal fee. Drivers with licenses expired for more than four (4) years will need to retake the written and driving tests. Suspended or revoked licenses will not be allowed to renew. It is against the law to drive with an expired license.

Renew Michigan Drivers License Online

This is the fastest way in which to renew your license. 

Requirements to Renew Online

  • You must be a USA Citizen.
  • You can only renew online if your last renewal was done in person at a secretary of state office.
  • You will need to provide your Date Of Birth, Driver’s License Number and last 4 digits of your Social.
  • You can only use the online renewal for a regular driver’s license, chauffeur or moped license. Note: you cannot renew an enhanced drivers license online.
  • You are able to make payment with a MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card.

You cannot renew online if any of these conditions are true:

  • Your last renewal was online or via mail.
  • You have informed the SOS that you changed your address in the last ten (10) days.
  • You have been issued a duplicate license in the last four (4) weeks.
  • You have a new medical condition which could affect your driving.
  • The SOS does not have your social security number on record.
  • Its been over four (4) years since you last renewed your license.

If you meet all the above conditions, you can renew online HERE.

Michigan Drivers License Renew by Mail

This is a very convenient manner in which to renew your license. Renewal by mail is only allowed every other cycle.

Requirements to Renew By Mail

  • You must have been mailed a renewal notice which gives you the option of renewing by mail.
  • You must complete and sign the Renew By Mail notice.
  • You have the option to change your driver’s license address on the renewal notice.
  • The SOS must have your valid and verifiable Social Security Number. If not, please contact the Social Security Administration.
  • You cannot renew a commercial drivers license (CDL).
  • You cannot change your name on the mail in renewal notice. You must go in person to your nearest secretary of state office.
  • You must not appear on any sex offender registry.
  • You are able to make payment with a MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card, Check or Money Order.
  • A Michigan register to vote application will be sent along with your renewal notice.
  • If you have a new medical condition which could affect your driving, you must visit an SOS office and you may need to complete an additional physician form.
  • You should send your renewal three (3) weeks before your birthday.
  • A late fee will be added if your current license has expired.
  • Send your renewal by mail along with the COST. The fee is currently $18.00
  • The following is the mailing address:
    Michigan Department of State
    7064 Crowner Dr.
    Lansing, MI 48980-0001

After you meet the listed requirements and complete the steps, your license will be sent via mail in no later than three (3) weeks. If you have not received your license in over 3 weeks, you can call the Michigan Secretary of State at (888)-767-6424 or by clicking HERE.

Requirements for Out of State Renewal by Mail

If you are a resident of the state of Michigan and you are currently outside of the state, you may apply for a no cost temporary extension permit  via mail. Based upon your situation, this permit can be issued for as long as one hundred eighty (180) days. This permit is not available for CDL’s. Once you return to Michigan, you can drive with the permit for an additional two (2) weeks or until its expiration date.

If you will be out of state for longer than 180 days, the SOS will allow you to renew by Mail or Online. When renewing via mail,  you will be required to show Proof of Social Security Number and Proof of Michigan residency. Additionally, an eye exam is required. Plan on allowing at least six (6) weeks for out state renewals via mail.

When renewing online while out of state, you must be a USA Citizen and have a verifiable Social Security Number. As with in-state online renewals, you cannot use this method if your last renewal was done via mail or online. 

Michigan Drivers License Renewal for Military Drivers

Active duty military drivers can take advantage of the following rule for their Michigan license renewal. You license will be valid for an extension of thirty (30) days after you terminate active duty, and you will not be charged a late fee. You must have your currently Military ID or discharge papers when driving with an expired license. Military dependents will not get the 30 day extension, but are able to renew by mail (only every other time). However, military dependents will be subject to the late renewal fee.

Renewal Steps for U.S. Military Drivers

  • The quickest and easiest way is to renew your license at an SOS office, twelve (12) months before it expires.
  • If cannot renew in person, and you are currently in active duty outside of Michigan, you can renew via mail if:
    • Your license has not expired over six (6) years ago.
    • Your photograph is on file at the SOS.
    • The SOS has your valid and verifiable Social Security Number.
  • You can also renew Online if your license has not expired over four (4) years ago.
  • If you have any doubts or concerns please contact the SOS:
  • Michigan Department of State
    7064 Crowner Dr.
    Lansing, MI 48980-0001

Renew Michigan Drivers License In Person

Your most direct option is to walk into any SOS Office. Please do this two (2) weeks before its expiration. The cost to renew will be $18 for a regular 4 year operator’s license. A $7 late renewal fee will be charged for expired licenses. Click here for the latest FEES. 

Requirements to Renew In Person

  • Find a local secretary of state office location.
  • Be sure to take your current drivers license for identification purposes. Or you can show other identity verification documents (read below).
  • You must pass a Vision Exam.
  • You need to report any medical condition which could affect your driving. An additional physician form may be required.
  • Provide your Social Security Number. It must be a valid verifiable Social Security Number, and the name and birth date must be the same one as your documents for proof of Age and Identity. If the information is not the same, then you must contact the Social Security Administration and make the change (can take as long as 48 hours). If you do not have a Social Security Number, then you must contact the Social Security Administration and have them create a letter of ineligibility.
  • Pay the required $18 cost for your license renewal. See the most currents FEES here.
  • Your photo will be taken.
  • Take the written and driving test if license has been expired for over four (4) years.

Note: You cannot renew in person if any of the following are true:

  • Your driving record contains three (3) or more unpaid parking tickets.
  • Your license is currently suspended or canceled.

You will be issued your newly renewed Michigan drivers license.

Michigan Drivers License Renewal Documents

When going in person to your nearest SOS office, you must show proof of Identity and proof of Social Security documents. (Note: These documents must be original or certified. Photocopies are not allowed). The following is a quick summary of the documents to bring:

  • Primary Identification documents. Your current drivers license is enough to satisfy this. If you do not have it, then you must produce one of the documents listed on the identity verification section of this pdf document.
  • Proof of Social Security number. Any of these documents may satisfy this requirement. Drivers without a Social Security Number must show:
  • For a complete list of the latest required documents in a handy pdf file format, please click HERE.

Expired Michigan License

If your license is currently expired, you can be given a ticket for driving with an expired license. Driving without a valid license is against the law. At renewal time, expired licenses will be charged an additional late renewal fee of $7. However, licenses that expire on a legal holiday or weekend will be given an extension until the next business day. If it has been expired for more than four (4) years, your only option for renewal is go in person to an SOS branch. This is because you will need to retake both the written and driving exams.