California driver license and ID card fees
A California driver license costs $39 if you are renewing it, or $39 plus a $2 process fee ($41 total) if you are getting one for the first time. An identification card (ID) that is not a driver license costs $32 to renew or $34 to get initially. These are the base fees the Department of Motor Vehicles charges. If you pay by credit or debit card instead of cash or check, the DMV adds a $1.50 payment processing fee.
The fees cover a four-year or six-year license depending on your age. Licenses for people under 62 are valid for four years. Licenses for people 62 and older are valid for five years. Identification cards are valid for five years regardless of age. If you renew early — before your current license expires — you pay the full renewal fee, not a reduced amount.
Key Takeaways
- A California driver license renewal costs $39, or $41 if you are getting your first license.
- An identification card costs $32 to renew or $34 for a first-time issuance.
- Add $1.50 if you pay by credit or debit card instead of cash or check.
- Licenses are valid for four years (under age 62) or five years (age 62 and older).
What affects the total cost you pay
The DMV fees listed above are what most people pay. However, your actual cost may be higher if you need additional services. If you need a replacement license because yours was lost or stolen, you pay the same renewal fee as everyone else. If you need to change your name or address, that is included in the renewal fee and does not cost extra.
If you take the written test at the DMV office, there is no separate test fee — it is covered in your process fee. If you fail the test and need to retake it, you do not pay again. However, if you need a duplicate license (an extra copy of your current license with the same number), that costs $15.
Some people pay more because they need to visit the DMV in person when an online or mail renewal is not available to them. Visiting in person does not cost more, but it may cost you time and transportation. If you use a DMV-authorized third-party vendor instead of going to the DMV directly, that vendor may charge their own fee on top of the state fee.
How to pay and what payment methods the DMV accepts
At a DMV office, you can pay with cash, check, or debit card. If you pay by debit card, add $1.50 to your total. Credit cards are not accepted at DMV offices. Online renewals through the DMV website accept credit and debit cards, and the $1.50 processing fee still applies.
If you renew by mail, you can pay by check or money order. Mail renewals do not have a payment processing fee because you are not using a card. You must include your payment with your process form and supporting documents. The DMV will not process your renewal until the payment clears.
Some DMV field offices have kiosks where you can pay and upload documents without waiting in line. These kiosks accept debit cards and credit cards, and the $1.50 fee applies. Check the DMV website to see if your local office has a kiosk.
When you might pay more than the standard fee
If you are under 18 and getting your first driver license, you must pass a written test and a driving test. There is no extra fee for the tests themselves, but you may need to pay for a behind-the-wheel driving instruction course if you do not have a parent or guardian to teach you. That course is not run by the DMV and costs vary by provider.
If you are renewing a commercial driver license (CDL), the fee is higher than a regular license. A CDL renewal costs $64. A first-time CDL is $64 plus the process fee. Motorcycle endorsements and other endorsements are included in the license fee and do not cost extra.
If your license has been suspended or revoked, you may need to pay reinstatement fees before the DMV will issue you a new one. These fees are separate from the license fee and vary depending on why your license was suspended. You can contact the DMV to find out what reinstatement fees explore to your situation.
Renewing online, by mail, or in person
Online renewal through the DMV website is the cheapest option in terms of time and travel cost, though the state fee is the same. You can renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you are not changing your address, and your license is not expiring within 30 days. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and you pay the $39 renewal fee plus $1.50 processing fee.
Mail renewal is available if you meet the same conditions as online renewal. You send your process form, payment, and any required documents to the DMV address listed on the form. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. You pay the $39 renewal fee, but there is no processing fee because you are paying by check or money order.
In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if you are changing your address, if your license is suspended, or if you need to pass a test. You can also renew in person if you prefer. The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. In-person renewal usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how busy the office is.
What happens if you do not renew on time
If your license expires, you can still renew it for the standard $39 fee as long as it has been expired for less than five years. If your license has been expired for more than five years, the DMV treats it as a new license, not a renewal. A new license costs $41 instead of $39. You may also need to retake the written test and driving test, depending on how long it has been expired.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in California, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are pulled over, you can show the officer your renewal receipt as proof that you have applied, but this does not may provide you will not be cited. Renew before your expiration date to avoid this risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I paid the fee but did not finish my renewal?
No. Once you have paid the fee, the DMV does not refund it, even if you decide not to complete your renewal. If your process was rejected because of missing documents or other issues, you must pay the fee again to reapply.
Do I have to pay the fee again if I renew early?
Yes. If you renew before your current license expires, you pay the full $39 renewal fee. Your new license will be valid for four or five years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired. There is no discount for renewing early.
What if I need my license in a hurry?
In-person renewal at a DMV office is the fastest option. You can usually get your license the same day or within a few days. Mail and online renewal take longer. There is no expedited or rush fee available through the DMV, but some third-party vendors offer faster service for an additional charge.
Is there a senior discount on driver license fees?
No. People age 62 and older pay the same $39 renewal fee as everyone else. The only difference is that their license is valid for five years instead of four years, so they renew less often.
Do I have to pay if I am replacing a lost or stolen license?
Yes. A replacement license costs the same as a renewal: $39. The DMV does not charge a separate fee for lost or stolen licenses. You will need to report the loss or theft to the DMV when you explore for the replacement.