California driver's licenses expire every four to six years, depending on your age and license type

Your California driver's license has an expiration date printed on the front. For most adults, licenses expire four years from the date they were issued. If you are over 70, your license expires every two years instead. Commercial licenses and other specialized licenses follow different schedules — a commercial driver's license (CDL) expires every five years, for example.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not automatically renew your license or send you a reminder in the mail. You are responsible for knowing when yours expires and for renewing it before that date. Driving on an expired license is against California law, even if you only realized it expired after you got behind the wheel.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard California driver's licenses expire every four years for adults under 70, and every two years for drivers 70 and older.
  • You can renew your license up to 60 days before it expires, either online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
  • Online renewal is the fastest option if you are renewing a standard license and meet basic requirements like having no medical conditions that affect driving.
  • If your license has already expired, you must renew in person at a DMV office and may face a late fee.
  • Driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation and fine, even if the expiration was accidental.

How to find your expiration date

Look at the front of your physical driver's license. The expiration date appears in the lower right corner and is labeled "Expires." The format is typically MM/DD/YYYY — for example, 03/15/2026 means your license expires on March 15, 2026.

If you have lost your license or cannot locate it, you can check the expiration date online through the DMV website. You will need your driver's license number or identification number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The DMV website also shows your license status — whether it is valid, expired, or suspended.

Renewing before your license expires

You can renew your California driver's license up to 60 days before the expiration date. The DMV offers three ways to renew: online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

Online renewal is available through the DMV website if you meet certain conditions. Your license must not be expired, you must have a valid Social Security number on file, you cannot have any medical conditions that the DMV has flagged as affecting your ability to drive safely, and you must not be renewing a commercial license or a license with special endorsements. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs the standard renewal fee. Your new license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.

Mail renewal is an option if you received a renewal notice from the DMV. The notice includes a form and instructions. You fill out the form, include payment, and mail everything back to the address on the notice. Processing takes two to four weeks. Not all drivers receive renewal notices — you only get one if the DMV has your current mailing address on file.

In-person renewal at a DMV office is always an option. You bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. If you need a new photo, the DMV will take one. In-person renewal is processed the same day, and you can drive home with a temporary license while your permanent one is mailed to you.

What happens if your license has already expired

If your license is already expired, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a DMV office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. You may also be charged a late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee. The amount of the late fee varies depending on how long your license has been expired.

The DMV will take a new photo and issue you a temporary license on the spot. Your permanent license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. Until it arrives, the temporary license is valid for driving.

Consequences of driving with an expired license

Driving with an expired California driver's license is a traffic violation. If a police officer stops you and your license is expired, you can receive a citation and fine. The fine amount depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you have prior violations. A first offense for a recently expired license is typically less costly than driving with a license that expired years ago.

If your license expired more than six months ago, the violation is more serious. You may also face additional penalties if you are involved in an accident while driving on an expired license, because insurance companies may deny a claim if the driver was not legally licensed at the time.

Renewal fees and what they cover

The cost of renewing a California driver's license depends on how long your new license will be valid. A four-year renewal costs less than a six-year renewal. As of 2024, a four-year renewal costs around $39, and a six-year renewal costs around $58, though these amounts change periodically. You can check the current fee on the DMV website.

The renewal fee covers the cost of issuing your new license and processing your renewal. If you renew online, you pay by credit card or debit card. If you renew by mail or in person, you can pay by check, money order, or card. Some DMV offices also accept cash.

Special cases: Commercial licenses and other endorsements

If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), your license expires every five years instead of four. CDL renewal cannot be done online or by mail — you must renew in person at a DMV office. You will need to pass a written test and a driving test, just as you did when you first obtained your CDL. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, and medical certification if required.

If your license has special endorsements — such as a motorcycle endorsement or a hazmat endorsement — you may have additional requirements when you renew. Check the DMV website or call your local DMV office to confirm what you need to bring and whether you must take another test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow?

No. Your license must be valid on the date you drive. If it expires tomorrow, you cannot legally drive after midnight. You should renew when ready in person at a DMV office if you need to drive before your renewal is processed.

How long does it take to get a renewed license in the mail?

If you renew online or by mail, your new license typically arrives within two to three weeks. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary license the same day and your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

What if I move to a different state before my California license expires?

You should obtain a driver's license in your new state as soon as you establish residency there. You do not need to renew your California license. Keep your California license as identification if you wish, but it will not be valid for driving once you move.

Can someone else renew my license for me?

For online or mail renewal, no — you must submit the renewal yourself. For in-person renewal, you must appear in person at the DMV office. You cannot have someone else renew your license on your behalf.

What if I lost my license and it is also expired?

You will need to replace your lost license and renew it at the same time. Go to a DMV office in person with proof of residency and payment. The DMV will issue you a new license with a new expiration date. You may be charged both a replacement fee and a renewal fee.