California driver's licenses expire based on your age and when you last renewed

A California driver's license is valid for five years if you are under 70 years old. If you are 70 or older, your license expires after four years. The expiration date is printed on the front of your card, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) mails you a renewal notice about 60 days before that date arrives.

You do not have to wait until your license expires to renew it. You can renew up to six months before the expiration date, which some people do to avoid the rush closer to the important date. However, if you renew early, your new license will still expire five years (or four years if you are 70+) from the renewal date, not from when the old one would have expired.

The expiration date also depends on whether you renewed in person at a DMV office or by mail. If you renewed by mail, your license is valid for five years from the date you mailed in your renewal. If you renewed in person, it is valid for five years from the date the DMV processed your process.

Key Takeaways

  • California driver's licenses last five years for people under 70 and four years for people 70 and older.
  • The expiration date is printed on the front of your license, and the DMV sends a renewal notice about two months before it expires.
  • You can renew your license up to six months early, but your new expiration date will be five years from the renewal date, not from when your old license would have expired.
  • Renewing by mail takes longer than renewing in person, so plan ahead if you need your new license by a specific date.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired California license is illegal, even if you only expired yesterday. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can be cited for driving with an expired license. The penalty is usually a fine, though the amount varies depending on how long your license has been expired and whether you have other violations.

An expired license also means you cannot legally use it as identification for other purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight, entering a federal building, or opening a bank account. If your license expired more than a few years ago, some institutions will not accept it as proof of identity at all.

If your license expired while you were out of state or out of the country, California law allows a grace period. You have up to 60 days after returning to California to renew without penalty. However, you still cannot legally drive during that 60-day window — the grace period only protects you from a citation if you are stopped.

How to renew your California driver's license

The DMV offers three ways to renew: online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Which method you can use depends on your age, how long it has been since your last renewal, and whether your address has changed.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are under 70, your license has not been expired for more than five years, and you have not had any major changes to your medical status or driving record. You can renew online at the DMV website, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. There is no appointment needed, and you can do it from home.

Mail renewal works if you meet the same conditions as online renewal. You read the renewal form from the DMV website, fill it out, and mail it along with your current license and the renewal fee. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, plus mailing time in both directions. This method is slower than online renewal and is rarely the best choice unless you cannot access the internet.

In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if you are 70 or older, if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to update your address, or if you want to change your name or gender marker. You will need to make an appointment through the DMV website or call 1-800-777-0133. Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return). Processing usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary license on the spot that is valid for 60 days while your permanent license is mailed.

Renewal fees and what to bring

The renewal fee for a standard California driver's license is $39 if you renew online or by mail, or $42 if you renew in person. These fees are current as of 2024 and may change. The DMV website shows the current fee before you complete your renewal.

If you renew online, you will need your current license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic check). You will also need to upload a new photo, unless you renewed within the last 10 years and your appearance has not changed significantly.

If you renew in person, bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. If your address has changed, bring a document that shows your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

Special cases: military members and people living abroad

If you are on active duty in the military, California allows you to renew your license by mail even if you are stationed outside the state. You can also request a temporary extension if your license will expire while you are deployed. Contact the DMV to request an extension before your license expires.

If you are a California resident living outside the United States, you can renew by mail. However, you cannot renew online. Mail your renewal form, current license, and fee to the DMV address listed on the renewal form. Processing takes longer for international mail, so plan ahead.

If you are a California resident living in another U.S. state, you can renew online or by mail using the same process as someone in California. You do not need to change your address to the new state unless you plan to stay there permanently and become a resident of that state.

What to do if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged

If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot straightforward renew it — you must request a replacement. A replacement is different from a renewal because it gives you a new license number and a new card, whereas a renewal keeps your existing license number. You can request a replacement online, by mail, or in person.

If your license is damaged but still readable, you can renew it normally. If it is so damaged that the information cannot be read, the DMV will treat it as a lost license and issue a replacement instead. Either way, you will pay the renewal or replacement fee, not both.

If your license was stolen and you are concerned about identity theft, you can also place a fraud alert on your credit report with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This is a separate step from replacing your license and is not required, but it may help protect you if someone tries to open accounts in your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expired last week?

No. Driving with an expired license is illegal in California, even if it expired very recently. You can be cited and fined. If you are still within the renewal window (before your license expires), you can renew online when ready, and you will be legal to drive once your renewal is processed, even though your new card has not arrived yet.

How do I know when my California license expires?

The expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the bottom right corner. It is formatted as MM/DD/YYYY. The DMV also mails a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires, so check your mail if you are unsure.

What if I renew online but my new photo looks bad?

You cannot change your photo after you submit your online renewal. If you are unhappy with the photo, you can request an in-person renewal instead, which allows you to take a new photo at the DMV office. However, you will have to start the renewal process over and may have to pay the fee again.

Do I need an appointment to renew my license in person?

Yes, you must make an appointment through the DMV website or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Walk-ins are not accepted for license renewals. Appointments can usually be scheduled within a few days to a few weeks, depending on how busy your local DMV office is.

What if I moved and my address on my license is wrong?

You must renew in person at a DMV office to change your address. You cannot change your address online or by mail. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days, along with your current license and proof of your Social Security number.