How Do You Renew Your License?

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
The last time I had to renew, I made the mistake of not mailing in the renewal form. Dealing with the NJ DMV in person is frustrating at best, so I regretted that decision! I just got my renewal notice in the mail today. Now they've added the option to renew online which I'm going to do today. My license expires Dec. 31st but I want to get it done. I wonder if I'll get a regular license or the newer Real ID license, which I don't really need because I have a passport card (and passport book). The DMV's system was always a disaster and I wonder if their new system will prove to be better. People who need to renew in person have to schedule appointments to get their licenses as well as those who need state ID cards but don't even get them during the in person visit! This is from their website:

If you are ineligible to renew online, you must make an appointment to renew your license.​

NOTE: Due to a 2020 security change, Licenses/IDs are no longer printed in person. Even if you process a renewal in person, it will be mailed to you.​

How did you renew last time? How will you renew next time?
 

I renew in person because it is easier for me to take the DMV eye exam than it is getting my vision certified by my eye doctor.

Last time I applied for the enhanced license. I believe that had to be done in person.

I made an online appt. that just gives a loose window of time. The actual license was mailed but they did give me a receipt that could be used as a temporary license if necessary.

It’s only once every eight years and it normally takes about a half hour.

I renew my vehicle registration online. With that you have to be careful that you are using the DMV website and not a for profit site that adds a processing fee.
 
I received my renewal card in the mail 2 months prior to when it is due. Filled it out, signed it, wrote a check for the amount and mailed it back. Because of the pandemic, since the DMV is closed where we did go, they just used the photo from 4 years ago, put it on the new license and mailed it to me. (We do have the option of renewing online.)
 
The DMV where I live was closed last year when mine came up for renewal .. I was allowed to renew online, and receive it in the mail. Although I think it should have been renewed for only two years at my age, they renewed it for six years. It's the new Real ID.

I don't think there will be a 'next time' ... anyway that's how I feel about it right now. 😄
 
I have been renewing online for several years now. They use the same picture as before. Mine expires in 2025 and I will not renew. I don't drive much now and have given my car to my granddaughter. She needs it for graduate school so she drives me where I need to go.
 
Covid was in full epidemic mode when my license was to expire, and the California DMV had already been closed for weeks. I was due for a vision test so couldn't renew online like last time. But just before I was planning to panic, an extension arrived in the mail. Unsolicited. I guess they panicked before I did. Then, after a while, they sent another extension. Then, after another while, they gave up on the extension plan and sent a new license with the same old photo.
 
terry123 said:
I have been renewing online for several years now. They use the same picture as before. Mine expires in 2025 and I will not renew. I don't drive much now and have given my car to my granddaughter. She needs it for graduate school so she drives me where I need to go.
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I haven't driven except for taking my husband's car (literally) around the corner from the front of the house to the parking lot and vice versa...since 2005. I did that because toward the end of his life he had trouble walking to the parking lot and the last time was in 2018. But I will keep renewing my license because besides being one of the most recognized form of ID, if I'm ever with someone who suddenly becomes ill, I would be able to take over (as long as it is not at night) 👀 @Bonnie

@Aunt Bea You have to take an eye exam every time you renew? Is that the policy in your state like @Gaer? Doesn't your DMV have an official website (which should be shown on any communications they send)?
 
Gaer said:
Wow! My DMV has only drive through. I know in New Mexico we have to have a eye exam, a medical exam, proof of all marriages and divorces, name changes, etc. They make it so difficult to get a license here! I still have another year before I have to worry about it.
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I've had a NM license for some 60 years and have never had to have a medical exam to qualify (I kept my NM license current all the years we were in the Army and stationed all over the place). They do have a very rudimentary eye exam at the DMV office.

You only have to have proof of all marriages, name changes, etc. if you want that Real ID license. I have a problem retrieving an ancient marriage certificate, and have decided that I can live without that Real ID after a 2 year battle with DMV. You can just renew your regular license if you want to. The only real drawback is that you can't fly without the Real ID, but flying has become too much of a hassle anyway and I hate it nowdays and don't foresee any reason I'd want to fly again. I had to renew my license this year, and I just did it online and it's good for 4 years.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
I haven't driven except for taking my husband's car (literally) around the corner from the front of the house to the parking lot and vice versa...since 2005. I did that because toward the end of his life he had trouble walking to the parking lot and the last time was in 2018. But I will keep renewing my license because besides being one of the most recognized form of ID, if I'm ever with someone who suddenly becomes ill, I would be able to take over (as long as it is not at night) 👀 @Bonnie

@Aunt Bea You have to take an eye exam every time you renew? Is that the policy in your state like @Gaer? Doesn't your DMV have an official website (which should be shown on any communications they send)?
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We can renew online with some exceptions.

I’ve never used the online system to renew my license.

A basic eye exam or certification from a licensed eye doctor is required each time you renew.
 
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I renew my license on line although before COVID hit I applied for a “Real ID” license, and subsequently spent an hour and a half with proof of ID and my birth certificate at a licensing center elbow-to-elbow with some guy who reeked of tobacco. Two months later, the world changed…
 
On Tues, I went downtown to the DMV to renew my enhanced non driver's license which expires next month. I did have be there in person,made my appt on line
I brought the documents e.g birth certificate,social security card,I thought I needed to bring The woman who assisted me told me that wasn't necessary since I'm already in the system.My license cost me $36 good for 8 yrs. good to know
 

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