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Driver license and Identification (ID) card renewal

A renewal notice is mailed to the last known address on your driver record 45 to 60 days prior to your birthday in the year your driver license or ID card expires.

Driver license

Effective November 1, 2011, driver license renewal notices are sent in the form of a post card. The post card notification will inform you of the general requirements to renew your driver license.

A regular driver license may be renewed up to one year prior to the expiration date. A probationary license can be renewed 90 days prior to the expiration date.

In order to renew your driver license, you need to visit a DMV service center and pay the required fee. If you appear after your license has expired, you must pay a late fee.

When you visit the DMV service center, be sure to bring with you:

• Your current driver license
• Your Social Security number

If you are not a U.S. citizen, proof of legal status will also be required.

You will need to complete form MV3001 (561 KB) - Wisconsin Driver License Application. Be sure to answer all the questions on the form. Once you have completed the form, print a copy to take to the DMV service center.

The examiner at the DMV service center will give you a free vision screening test. If you prefer, you may have the vision screening done at your expense by a vision specialist and recorded on form MV3030V . Present the completed form MV3030V with your application for renewal. Your vision screening must be done within 90 days prior to your application for renewal.

ID card

Effective January 1, 2012, ID card renewal notices are sent in the form of a letter or post card. The notice will inform you of the general requirements to renew your ID card.

An ID card may be renewed up to one year prior to the expiration date.

Depending on your eligibility, ID cards can be renewed:

• By using our Online ID card renewal service
• By mailing in a MV3004 (405 KB) - Wisconsin Identification Card (ID) Application. Be sure to answer all the questions on the form. Mail to: WisDOT, PO Box 7995, Madison, WI 53707-7995
• At a DMV service center. When you visit the DMV service center, be sure to bring with you:
  • Your current ID card
  • Your Social Security number

If you are not a U.S. citizen, visit a DMV service center to renew. Proof of legal status will also be required.

ID cards used for voting are FREE. If you are a U.S. citizen, will be at least 18 years of age by the next election, and require a Wisconsin ID card to vote, please check the ID for FREE box online or on the MV3004 application.  Otherwise, please pay the required fee.

Driver licenses and ID cards are mailed

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will begin to phase in the “central issuance” of all driver licenses and ID cards in the spring of 2012. All products will be mailed from one production facility. Customers will leave the DMV Service Center with a paper receipt that is valid for 45 days.  The receipt, including your photo, is acceptable photo identification for voting and serves as your license or ID until your card arrives in the mail.

Please note that the receipt is not acceptable as proof of identity for a Social Security Number replacement card. If you want to request a Social Security Number replacement card, please wait for your license or ID card to arrive in the mail before visiting a Social Security office.

Note: A Wisconsin driver license or ID card is acceptable proof for voting.

Questions? Contact us: Wisconsin DMV email service
Call: (608) 266-2353

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Last modified: February 16, 2012
BDS/DIS