California driver's licenses expire based on your age and license type

A California driver's license is valid for different lengths of time depending on whether you are a standard driver, a commercial driver, or a real ID holder. Most standard licenses expire five years after issue. If you are over 70, your license expires after four years. Commercial licenses have their own renewal schedule. Real ID compliant licenses — the ones with a gold star in the upper right corner — follow the same expiration timeline as standard licenses but meet federal identification requirements for air travel and federal building access.

The expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the lower right corner. You can also check your expiration date through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard California driver's licenses expire five years after the date of issue, or four years if you are 70 or older.
  • Your expiration date appears on the front of your license in the lower right corner and can be verified on the DMV website.
  • Real ID compliant licenses follow the same five-year expiration schedule as standard licenses but are required for federal air travel starting in 2025.
  • You can renew your license up to 60 days before expiration through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
  • Driving with an expired license is illegal in California and can result in a traffic citation.

Renewal timelines for different driver ages

Drivers under 70 receive a five-year license. This means if you received your license on March 15, 2020, it expires on March 15, 2025. Drivers aged 70 and older receive a four-year license instead. The DMV sends renewal notices by mail approximately 60 days before your license expires, though you should not rely on receiving this notice — checking your expiration date yourself is your responsibility.

If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), the renewal period depends on your medical certification status. A CDL with a valid medical certificate expires five years from issue. A CDL without a valid medical certificate expires one year from issue. Medical certificates themselves expire every two years, so commercial drivers must track both dates separately.

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 amount varies. More importantly, an expired license means you are not legally authorized to drive, and your insurance may not cover accidents that occur while you are driving with an expired license.

If your license has been expired for less than six months, you can renew it through the standard renewal process. If it has been expired for more than six months, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired. The DMV website lists the specific requirements based on expiration length.

How to renew before expiration

You can renew your California driver's license up to 60 days before it expires. The easiest method is through the DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs the standard renewal fee.

If you prefer not to renew online, you can mail your renewal process to the DMV. Request a renewal form DL 44 or use the mail-in renewal form available on the DMV website. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. You can also renew in person at any DMV office, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Real ID compliance and expiration

California Real ID compliant licenses expire on the same schedule as standard licenses — five years for drivers under 70, four years for drivers 70 and older. The Real ID designation does not change how long your license is valid. The gold star on a Real ID license indicates that it meets federal identification standards required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings.

Starting in 2025, a Real ID compliant license or passport will be required for domestic air travel. If your current license does not have the gold star, you can upgrade to a Real ID license during your next renewal. You will need to provide proof of identity, proof of California residency, and proof of Social Security number. There is an additional fee for Real ID upgrade, though the amount varies.

Checking your expiration date

The quickest way to find your expiration date is to look at the front of your license. The expiration date is printed in the lower right corner in the format MM/DD/YYYY. You can also check online through the DMV website without logging in — enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and the system will display your expiration date and renewal status.

If you have lost your license or cannot read the expiration date clearly, you can request a replacement through the DMV website or in person at a DMV office. A replacement license costs less than a renewal and takes the same processing time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires while I am waiting for my renewal to arrive?

No. Your license is invalid the moment it expires. If you renewed online or by mail and are waiting for your new license to arrive, you should not drive. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you can request an interim license at a DMV office, which is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent license.

What if I turned 70 and my license is still valid for several years?

Your current license remains valid until its printed expiration date. When you renew, your new license will be issued for four years instead of five. You do not need to renew early just because you turned 70.

Do I need to renew my Real ID license differently than a standard license?

Real ID licenses renew on the same schedule and through the same methods as standard licenses. If you are renewing online and your current license is already Real ID compliant, your new license will automatically be Real ID compliant. If you are upgrading to Real ID for the first time, you must renew in person or by mail and provide additional documentation.

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

Your California license is still expired, regardless of where you are. You cannot legally drive in any state with an expired California license. If you are living out of state temporarily, you should renew your California license before it expires or transfer to that state's license system.

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?

The DMV does not typically block renewal based on unpaid traffic tickets. However, if you have unpaid fines related to your driving record, the court or collections agency may place a hold on your license. Check with the court that issued the ticket to confirm whether any holds exist before attempting to renew.