Cancel your California DMV appointment online or by phone before your scheduled date

You can cancel a California DMV appointment through the same system where you booked it — either the DMV website or by calling the DMV directly. The process takes a few minutes, and you will receive confirmation that your slot has been released. Once you cancel, that time slot becomes available for other people to book.

Cancelling early gives you the option to reschedule for a different date if you still need the service, or to skip the appointment altogether if your situation has changed. The DMV does not charge a fee to cancel.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel online through the DMV website by logging into your appointment account, or call 1-800-777-0133 to cancel by phone.
  • You must cancel before your appointment date and time — you cannot cancel on the day of or after the appointment has passed.
  • After you cancel, you can when ready reschedule a new appointment for a different date if you need one.
  • Cancelling does not affect your ability to book future appointments or any services you have already paid for.

Cancel through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Manage Your Appointment" from the homepage. You will need to enter the confirmation number from your appointment email or text message, plus your date of birth. The system will display your scheduled appointment details.

Click the "Cancel Appointment" button. The DMV will ask you to confirm the cancellation — this is your final note to change your mind. Once you confirm, you will see a message stating that your appointment has been cancelled, and you will receive a confirmation email or text to the contact information on file.

If you cannot find your confirmation number, check your email inbox (including spam folders) or text messages for the DMV appointment confirmation. If you still cannot locate it, use the phone method instead.

Cancel by phone

Call the DMV customer service line at 1-800-777-0133. Wait times vary by time of day; calling early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) or late in the afternoon (after 4 p.m.) typically means shorter holds. Have your confirmation number and date of birth ready when you call.

Tell the representative you want to cancel your appointment. Provide your confirmation number and the date of your scheduled appointment. The representative will confirm the cancellation and may ask why you are cancelling — this is optional information, and you do not have to answer.

You will receive written confirmation of the cancellation by email or text within a few minutes of the call. Keep this confirmation for your records in case you need to prove the appointment was cancelled.

What happens after you cancel

Your appointment slot is when ready released and becomes available for other people to book. You do not owe the DMV anything, and there are no penalties for cancelling. If you paid a fee when you originally booked (for example, a registration renewal fee), that payment remains on your account and will be applied when you complete the service at a future appointment or online.

If you need to reschedule, you can book a new appointment right away through the same DMV website or by calling the same number. You will select a new date and time, and you will receive a new confirmation number. There is no limit to how many times you can reschedule.

Cancel before your appointment date

You must cancel before your scheduled appointment date and time. If you miss your appointment without cancelling, the DMV may mark it as a no-show, but this does not prevent you from booking future appointments. You can still reschedule whenever you are ready.

If you realize you cannot make your appointment on the morning of the appointment, call 1-800-777-0133 as soon as possible. Even if you are calling after hours, leave a voicemail with your confirmation number and appointment date — the DMV will process the cancellation when staff returns.

Reschedule instead of cancelling

If you want to keep your appointment but need a different date or time, you do not have to cancel first. Go to "Manage Your Appointment" on dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133 and ask to reschedule. The system will show you available times at your preferred location, and you can select a new slot in one step.

Rescheduling is faster than cancelling and then booking separately, because you keep your original payment on file and do not have to re-enter all your information. Your new confirmation number will be different from the original one.

If you cannot reach the DMV

If the phone line is busy or you cannot get through online, try again during off-peak hours: early morning (before 9 a.m.), late afternoon (after 5 p.m.), or weekdays rather than Mondays. The DMV website is typically faster during these times as well.

If your appointment is within 24 hours and you cannot cancel in time, straightforward do not show up. Contact the DMV after your missed appointment to reschedule. Missing one appointment does not lock you out of future bookings, though some locations may require you to call instead of using the online system if you have a history of no-shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose money if I cancel my appointment?

No. Cancelling is free. If you paid a fee when you booked (such as a registration or license renewal fee), that money stays on your account and applies to your next appointment or online transaction. You do not forfeit it.

Can I cancel the same day as my appointment?

You can try, but it depends on timing. Call 1-800-777-0133 as early as possible on the morning of your appointment. If you call after your appointment time has passed, the cancellation may not process. If you straightforward do not show up, you can reschedule later without penalty.

What if I cancel and then need the same appointment again?

You can book a new appointment when ready after cancelling. Use the DMV website or call 1-800-777-0133 to reschedule. There is no waiting period, and you can book as many times as you need.

Will cancelling affect my driver's license or registration?

No. Cancelling an appointment does not change your license status, registration, or any other DMV records. It only removes that specific appointment from the schedule. Your license or registration remains valid until its expiration date.

What if I lost my confirmation number?

Call 1-800-777-0133 and provide your name and date of birth. The representative can look up your appointment in the system and cancel it without the confirmation number. You can also check your email (including spam) or text messages for the original confirmation.