Do you need to obtain an ID card in Maryland? The process of obtaining a Driver's License or a State Identification Card can be a little overwhelming.
Here's a handy guide to make the process easier for you.
Renewing Your Maryland License
In order to increase customer service and decrease in-person wait times, effective April 1, 2014, customers who are under the age of 40 and eligible to renew by web, mail or MVA Kiosk MUST use one of these methods to process their transaction. In-person renewals for these customers will no longer be processed at a MVA Branch Office.
You can renew your non-commercial driver’s license online at Online Driver’s License Renewal Office.
Correcting/Changing Your Maryland License or Permit
If you are using a name other than your birth name, or changing the name on your current Maryland license, you must bring the document that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court ordered name change.
A corrected license can be issued for name, address, height, or weight changes, to add/remove organ donor designation, add/remove certain restrictions or to add Veteran status designation.
Customers may obtain a card containing an address change without applying for an corrected license by: Completing Change of Address form (VR-154) OR
Changing your address Online OR Contacting the MVA Customer Service Center at 1-410-768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 TTY (for the Hearing Impaired).
There is no fee for the card to carry with your license. There is a fee for a corrected license.
Exchanging an Out-of-State License for a Maryland License
New Maryland residents must obtain a Maryland Driver’s License within 60 days for a noncommercial driver's license and within 30 days if it is a commercial driver's license (CDL).
You will need your out-of-State license(s), if you do not have the license in your possession, you will need to present a certified driving record from the licensing agency.
You must pass a vision screening.
If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License.
If your license is expired for one year or more, you are required to pass a knowledge and driver's skills test.*
Proof of age, identity and residency, are required, use our Online Document Guide to determine what you will need to bring with you to the MVA Branch Office.
Pay the required fees.
Out of State Learner’s Permits cannot be exchanged for a Maryland Learner’s Permit. You must meet all the requirements of a new learners permit
If you are active duty military
Some states grant an extension of the driver’s license validity period to active duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents while they are stationed outside of their home licensing State. If the Out-of-State driver’s license has been expired for one (1) year or more and the State grants a Military extension, you will be required to provide:
Acceptable proof of your current active duty status or military dependent status (i.e. Military Photo ID card), OR
Recent discharge records (each State grants a certain amount of days after discharge, therefore testing requirements will be waived depending on your State’s extension); AND
Proof of age, identity and residency, use our Online Document Guide to determine what you will need to bring with you; AND
Pass a vision screening; AND
Pay the required fees.
Exchanging an Out-of-Country License for a Maryland License
Proof of age, identity and residency, are required.
You must present the Out-of-Country license (may be valid or expired.)
If you do not have your license, you must present a driving record from the country’s license issuing authority. The driving record should be accompanied by an Apostille or a letter from the country’s Embassy verifying the driving record.
The Out-of-Country license may be required to be accompanied by an international driver's license or translated into English by an approved MVA translator.
You must pass a vision screening.
You must complete a 3-Hour Drug & Alcohol Education Program (If you have never been licensed in the U.S.)
You must pass a knowledge test and a driving test in a motor vehicle that you must provide.
If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License.
If you have never held a license, you must obtain a learner’s permit.
Pay the required fees.
Maryland Identification Cards
In order to increase customer service and decrease in-person wait times, effective April 1, 2014, customers who are eligible to renew their Maryland non-driver Identification (ID) Card by web or MVA Kiosk MUST use one of these methods to process their transaction. In-person renewals for these customers will no longer be processed at MVA branch office locations. You can renew your ID Card at Online ID Card Renewal.
Effective January 1, 2014: there is a new process for immigrants, presenting foreign documentation without valid accompanying United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documentation, to obtain a driver’s license (DL) or identification card (ID).
Your Maryland Identification Card, GLS Learner's Permit, and any new Federally Non-Compliant DL/IDs will NOT be issued at the time of your transaction; however, will be mailed to your Maryland residential address on file. You will be given an option to have your DL/ID shipped overnight for an additional cost of the U.S. Postal Service's Express Shipping rates.
Effective October 1, 2012, the Maryland MVA started the conversion of Non-commercial driver’s licenses and identification cards (ID cards) to an 8-year period of validity
ID cards for individuals 18 years of age and older will be valid for a period of 8 years and ID cards for those under the age of 18 will be valid for 5 years.
Note: Individuals with a limited term ID will continue to be issued a product with a validity period equal to their duration of lawful status in the United States and will NOT be able to renew using the mail, MVA Kiosk or the web.
New Identification Card
If you are using a name other than your birth name, you must bring the documents that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate(s), divorce decree(s)or court name change order.
The Identification Card will be mailed to your Maryland residential address on file.
Please pay close attention to the expiration date of your Maryland Identification Card. The MVA is not obligated to remind you when it is time to reapply for an Identification Card.
Social Security numbers
For information on how to apply for a social security number, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber
If you have a different name on your social security card than your source documents, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) prior to coming to the MVA.
The new name(s) must match the name(s) that the SSA has on record.
The ID card will not be issued if the new name change does not match the SSA records.
It may take a minimum of 48 hours or longer for the SSA to update their records with your name change.
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