You can renew an expired California license, but the process depends on how long it has been expired
California allows you to renew a license that has already expired, but the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) treats different expiration windows differently. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If it expired more than five years ago, you must go to a DMV office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test.
The reason for this split is that California wants to verify you are still the same person and still able to drive safely if too much time has passed. A license that expired last month looks very different from one that expired six years ago in the DMV's system.
Key Takeaways
- Licenses expired fewer than five years ago can be renewed online at dmv.ca.gov or by mail without visiting a DMV office.
- Licenses expired more than five years ago require an in-person visit to a DMV office, a new written test, and a vision test.
- Online renewal costs $44 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license, while mail renewal costs $44 plus postage.
- You will need your expired license, a current mailing address, and a valid payment method to renew online.
- Processing time for mail renewal is typically two to three weeks; online renewal is usually when ready.
Renewing online if your license expired within five years
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, the fastest route is the DMV's online renewal system at dmv.ca.gov. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, answer a few questions about whether your address or medical conditions have changed, choose your license term (four or eight years), and pay by debit card or credit card. The system then generates a new license number and mails the physical card to your address on file.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and you do not need to visit an office or take any tests. Your new license arrives in the mail within two to three weeks. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can print a temporary license from the DMV website when ready after paying, though not all law enforcement officers accept printed temporary licenses — call your local police department if you are unsure.
The only catch is that online renewal is only available if your address has not changed since your license expired. If you have moved, you must renew by mail instead.
Renewing by mail if your license expired within five years
Mail renewal is an option if your address has changed or if you prefer not to renew online. You fill out form DL 44 (process for a Driver's License or Identification Card), include your expired license, and mail both to the DMV address listed on the form. You also include a check or money order for $44.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. There is no way to track your process once you mail it, so if you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to check the status. Keep a copy of your form and a photo of your expired license in case you need to prove you applied.
Renewing in person if your license expired more than five years ago
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must visit a DMV office, bring your expired license and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and complete the renewal process in person. You will take a new written test and a vision test, just as if you were getting your first license.
The written test covers California traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the DMV's free online handbook at dmv.ca.gov or pick up a printed copy at any DMV office. The vision test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you.
Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and a valid payment method. The renewal fee is $64 for an eight-year license or $44 for a four-year license. You will receive a temporary license to drive home with, and your permanent license arrives in the mail within two to three weeks.
What documents and information you need
For online renewal, you need your expired license number, your date of birth, and a current mailing address. You also need a debit card or credit card to pay the $44 or $64 fee.
For mail renewal, you need your expired license, form DL 44 (which you can read from dmv.ca.gov or pick up at a DMV office), and a check or money order for $44. If your address has changed, include proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
For in-person renewal, you need your expired license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and a valid payment method. If you wear corrective lenses, bring them with you for the vision test.
How long the process takes at each step
| Renewal Method | Time to Complete | Time to Receive License | Can You Drive when ready? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 10 minutes | 2–3 weeks | Yes, with printed temporary license |
| Varies (you mail it) | 2–3 weeks after DMV receives it | No | |
| In-person | 30–60 minutes | 2–3 weeks | Yes, with temporary license |
Online renewal is the fastest because you finish in minutes and can print a temporary license right away. Mail renewal takes longer because you have to wait for the DMV to receive and process your envelope. In-person renewal takes the longest at the office but you leave with a temporary license that lets you drive when ready.
What happens if you drive with an expired license
Driving with an expired license is illegal in California, even if you have already started the renewal process. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited and fined. The fine is usually $100 to $250 for a first offense, though it can be higher if your license has been expired for a very long time.
If you are in the middle of renewing and need to drive, use the temporary license you printed online or received in person at the DMV. If you renewed by mail and do not have a temporary license, avoid driving until your new license arrives. If you must drive, consider asking a friend or family member to drive instead, or use a rideshare service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if I moved to a different address?
No, online renewal only works if your address has not changed. If you moved, use mail renewal instead. Fill out form DL 44, include proof of your new address (utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and mail it with your expired license and a check for $44.
Do I have to retake the written test if my license expired five years ago?
No. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail without retaking any tests. You only retake the written and vision tests if your license expired more than five years ago and you renew in person.
What if I lost my expired license and cannot find it?
You can still renew. For online renewal, you need your license number and date of birth, which you may remember or find on old documents. If you cannot remember your number, visit a DMV office and they can look it up. For mail or in-person renewal, bring a different form of ID, such as a passport or state ID card.
How much does it cost to renew an expired California license?
The fee is $44 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license. Online and mail renewal both cost the same. If you renew by mail, you also pay for postage, which is usually a few dollars.
Can I renew my license if it expired while I was out of the country?
Yes. The five-year window for online and mail renewal is based on when your license expired, not when you returned. If it expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person.