Your California driver license expiration date is printed on the front of your card, in the bottom right corner

The expiration date tells you the last day your license is valid to drive. California prints this date clearly on every license issued. If you were born before 1945, your license expires at age 70. If you were born in 1945 or later, your license expires on your birthday in the year that makes you 69 years old — so if you turn 69 on March 15, 2026, your license expires on that date.

You can drive legally until midnight on your expiration date. After that, driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation, even if you are otherwise following all traffic laws. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires, but receiving the notice is not required — the expiration date on your card is what matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Your expiration date appears in the bottom right corner of your California driver license card.
  • Licenses expire on your birthday for people born in 1945 or later, and at age 70 for those born before 1945.
  • You can renew your license up to 60 days before it expires, either online through the DMV website or in person at a DMV office.
  • If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must take a written test and vision test to renew it.
  • The DMV mails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you do not need to wait for the notice to renew.

How to read the expiration date on your card

The expiration date is formatted as a month, day, and year — for example, 03/15/2026 means March 15, 2026. It sits in the bottom right corner of the front of your license, below your photograph and signature. The date is printed in white text on a colored background. If you cannot read it clearly, hold the card under bright light or use a magnifying glass.

Do not confuse the expiration date with the issue date, which appears elsewhere on the card and tells you when the license was first issued to you. The expiration date is always the one that matters for whether you can legally drive.

Renewing before your license expires

You can renew your California driver license up to 60 days before the expiration date. The DMV offers two main renewal paths: online through the DMV website (if you meet certain requirements) or in person at a DMV office.

To renew online, you must have a license that is not expired, you must have a valid email address on file with the DMV, and you must not have any medical conditions that require a doctor's report. If you meet these conditions, you can log into your DMV account, pay the renewal fee (currently $38 for a four-year renewal or $48 for an eight-year renewal for most drivers), and receive your new license by mail within two to three weeks. Online renewal does not require a new photograph — the DMV uses your existing photo from your current license.

If you cannot renew online, you must visit a DMV office in person. Bring your current license, proof of California residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment for the renewal fee. At the office, you will have a new photograph taken and pass a vision test. The DMV will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within two to three weeks, depending on the office and current processing times.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in California. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can receive a citation. The penalty is typically a fine, though the exact amount depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you have prior violations. A first-time citation for an expired license is usually treated as a minor infraction.

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot straightforward renew it by mail or online. Instead, you must visit a DMV office, take a written knowledge test (the same test new drivers take), pass a vision test, and have a new photograph taken. This process takes longer and requires more preparation than a standard renewal.

Renewing after your license has expired

If your license is currently expired, you can still renew it, but the process depends on how long it has been expired. If it expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew in person at a DMV office or, in some cases, by mail. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. You will have a new photograph taken and pass a vision test.

If your license expired more than five years ago, the renewal process is more involved. You must visit a DMV office and take the written knowledge test, pass a vision test, and have a new photograph taken. You cannot renew online or by mail in this situation. The DMV treats this as a more substantial renewal because your driving knowledge and vision may have changed significantly during the years your license was not active.

Understanding license expiration for different age groups

California has different expiration rules based on your age. If you were born before 1945, your license expires on your 70th birthday and every four years after that. If you were born in 1945 or later, your license expires on your birthday in the year you turn 69, and then every four or eight years after that, depending on the type of license you hold.

Drivers aged 70 and older must renew in person at a DMV office every four years. The DMV requires an in-person renewal for this age group because it allows staff to assess whether any medical conditions or vision changes might affect driving safety. Younger drivers can often renew online or by mail, which is faster and more convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expired yesterday?

No. Your license is no longer valid after the expiration date passes. Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation, even if it expired only one day ago. You should renew your license before the expiration date to avoid this situation.

How much does it cost to renew my California driver license?

The renewal fee is currently $38 for a four-year renewal or $48 for an eight-year renewal for most drivers. Fees may vary for commercial licenses or other special license types. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check, depending on whether you renew online or in person.

What if I lost my license and do not know the expiration date?

You can check your expiration date by logging into your DMV account online or by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133. You can also visit a DMV office and staff can look up your information. If you need a replacement license, you can order one online or in person.

Do I need to take a driving test to renew my license?

No, not for a standard renewal if your license is not expired or expired fewer than five years. You will have a new photograph taken and pass a vision test, but you do not take a written or driving test. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must take the written knowledge test and pass the vision test.

What if I am out of state when my license expires?

You can renew your California license online if you meet the requirements, even if you are out of state. You can also renew by mail by requesting a renewal form from the DMV. If you plan to move to another state, you will need to get a license from that state instead of renewing your California license.