Uncle Sam’s License To Ride

MVA now requires documentation to renew federally compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards

Marylanders should be on the lookout for renewal notices for their driver’s license and ID cards.  As required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to maintain compliance with the federal REAL ID Act, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) will now require documentation to renew federally compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards.

The renewal notice will state documents are required to complete the renewal process and that the transaction must take place at an MDOT MVA branch. In an attempt to make the renewal process as easy as possible, the MDOT MVA website (http://license.mva.maryland.gov) allows residents to print a documents-required checklist and make an appointment at a specific MDOT MVA branch. MDOT MVA already has begun the notification process for driver’s licenses and ID cards that expire in January 2018. Preparing ahead of time will speed up the renewal time.

“Maryland’s Secure ID driver’s licenses and ID cards have been recognized for their cutting-edge security features,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Christine Nizer. “Obtaining this required documentation from our customers is a necessary step in continuing to provide Maryland residents with the most secure card in the nation.”

For more information about the REAL ID documentation requirement, visit http://www.mva.maryland.gov/realid/index.htm.