Ohio Driver’s License Renewal: A Complete Guide

You’ll need to renew your Ohio driver’s license every three or four years. Your license can be renewed anytime before its expiration date, but the expiration date will vary depending on when you do it:

• If you renew it more than 90 days before it expires, you’ll have an expiration date of three years from issuance.
• If you wait until 90 days before expiration, you’ll get a four-year expiration date.

What Documents Do I Need?

All driver’s license renewals begin at the Ohio BMV, which does NOT currently allow drivers to renew online.

You’ll need to bring the following documents to the BMV:

• US Birth Certificate or Passport
• Social Security Card or W-2 Form
• Proof of residency

Ohio Driver’s License Renewal Cost

At the time of writing, you’ll need to pay a renewal fee of $27.75 to the Ohio BMV when renewing your license. This can be paid by credit card, debit card, cash, check, or money order.

What if I’m Under 21 Years Old?

If you received your license before you turned 21, you will not be allowed to renew it more than 30 days before its expiration. Additionally, you’ll have 30 days after your license expires to complete your renewal.

Renewing an Expired License

Ohio allows for a six month grace period to renew your license without penalty. If you attempt to renew after the six month period, you’ll be required to obtain a temporary permit and retake the written and driving exam before being allowed to obtain another driver’s license.

Need help preparing for your exams? We offer a summarized Ohio driver’s manual and online practice tests to make studying the rules of the road as easy as possible. Even if you don’t have to retake the exams, it’s good to refresh your knowledge every now and then to stay safe on the roads.

Out-of-State Renewal

If you are currently out of state on military duty or to obtain an education, you will be allowed to renew your license by mail. Call or email the Ohio BMV for more information on the process and to determine your eligibility.

An out-of-state address will be required in order to mail you the appropriate forms. Generally, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Must have an Ohio address registered with BMV
• Must be a citizen or permanent resident and present documentation to verify valid USCIS I-551 status
• Cannot be a CDL holder unless wanting to downgrade to a class D operator license
• Cannot hold suspended license or have any warrants
• Cannot be incarcerated

That’s It!

That’s all you need to know about renewing your driver’s license in Ohio. Remember to renew less than six months after the expiration date in order to avoid the complications of getting a new license.