Maine BMV Launches Online Real ID Renewal Service to Reduce Wait Times
On November 17, 2025 the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) announced that residents can now renew their Real ID‑compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards online. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the online renewal portal will make the process less stressful for customers and reduce long lines at motor vehicle branches across the state. The initiative is part of Maine’s effort to ensure that residents are prepared for federal Real ID enforcement, which will be required for boarding commercial flights and entering certain federal facilities starting May 7 2025.
The new service allows most Mainers with an expiring Real ID to renew from home using their credit card and by entering their Social Security number. Customers will receive a temporary license or ID by print‑out or mail that they can use immediately until their physical card arrives. According to the BMV, applicants who hold a non‑commercial driver’s license or ID card, including motorcycle licenses, are eligible. However, people with out‑of‑state driver’s licenses, first‑time Real ID applicants, commercial drivers, those who have changed their name or recently developed new medical conditions, or those whose license has been suspended or revoked must still visit a BMV branch in person. The agency recommends that applicants check the list of services on the BMV’s website before making an appointment, as many transactions can now be completed online.
Deputy Secretary of State Cathie Curtis said the BMV designed the online service to ease branch congestion ahead of the busy holiday travel season. The BMV has seen record traffic this year as Mainers prepare for the upcoming Real ID deadline, and the new portal should help keep wait times manageable. Curtis urged residents to take advantage of the service early to avoid delays and to cancel any existing in‑person appointments if they successfully renew online. The option to renew at AAA branches remains available and may be convenient for members who prefer in‑person assistance.
Maine has been preparing for Real ID enforcement for several years, and many residents have already obtained compliant credentials. The BMV reports that by August 31 2025, 93.5 percent of Maine‑issued driver’s licenses presented at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints were Real ID compliant. By early November 2025, 432 546 Mainers held Real ID credentials, an increase of 131 000 since the start of the year. Officials believe that the new online renewal service will push compliance even higher by simplifying the renewal process for existing cardholders.
For travelers, the announcement provides reassurance that they can meet the May 7 2025 Real ID enforcement deadline without making an extra trip to a branch. Secretary Bellows said the service will save time for citizens and help keep more customers moving through the BMV system. The BMV emphasized that people who choose to renew online should apply well ahead of the expiration date and allow time for mailing, as postal delivery times can vary. Mainers who need to obtain a Real ID for the first time or those with complex cases should still plan to visit a branch with the required documents. Regardless of the method chosen, the BMV encourages everyone to make sure they have a Real ID or other federally‑approved identification by the May 7 2025 deadline to avoid travel disruptions.
Overall, Maine’s launch of online Real ID renewal is a major convenience for residents. It reflects the state’s commitment to customer service and its determination to boost compliance before the federal Real ID enforcement date. With most Mainers already using Real ID credentials and the state’s new online portal, residents have an easier path to staying compliant and avoiding lines during the holidays and beyond.