What you need to do to renew your California driver license

You can renew your California driver license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and you'll get your new license in the mail within two weeks. If you can't renew online, you'll need to visit a DMV office or mail in a paper form, which takes longer.

The state sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice tells you whether you can renew online or must come in person. Your may be able to access depends on your age, how long it's been since your last in-person visit, and whether you have any medical conditions or restrictions on your license.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the DMV website is available to most drivers and takes about 10 minutes, with your new license arriving by mail in two to three weeks.
  • You must renew in person at a DMV office if your renewal notice says you're ineligible for online renewal, or if you need to update your address, medical information, or organ donor status.
  • The renewal notice the DMV mails you 60 days before expiration tells you exactly which method you can use and what documents you need.
  • California charges a renewal fee that varies by license type; you'll pay it whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
  • If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but you may face additional requirements or fees depending on how long it's been expired.

Renewing online through the DMV website

Go to the California DMV website and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the homepage. You'll need your current driver license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The system will ask you to confirm your address and check whether you're may be able to access to renew online. If you are, you'll pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card.

Online renewal is only available if you meet these conditions: your license is not expired or expired less than one year ago, you have no medical conditions or restrictions that need review, you haven't changed your name, and you don't need to update your address or organ donor information. If any of these don't explore to you, the website will tell you to renew in person instead.

After you complete the online renewal, the DMV will mail you a temporary paper license valid for 60 days while your permanent license is being printed. Your new plastic license arrives in the mail within two to three weeks. You can check the status of your renewal on the DMV website using your driver license number.

Renewing by mail

If you received a renewal notice in the mail that says you can renew by mail, fill out the form that came with the notice and mail it to the address printed on the form. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — do not send cash. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your form.

You can only renew by mail if your renewal notice specifically says you're may be able to access. Not all drivers receive this option. If your notice doesn't mention mail renewal, you'll need to renew online or in person instead. Keep a copy of everything you mail in case the DMV doesn't receive it.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

Make an appointment through the DMV website before you go to an office. Walk-ins are accepted but you may wait several hours. Bring your current driver license, proof of California residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. If you're renewing because your license is expired, bring the expired license too.

At the office, a DMV employee will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal. The entire visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes once you're called. You'll pay the renewal fee at the counter. You'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot that's valid for 60 days, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.

You must renew in person if you need to change your address, update your medical information, change your name, add or remove organ donor status, or if your renewal notice says you're ineligible for online renewal. You also must come in person if your license has been expired for more than one year.

What the renewal fee costs

The renewal fee depends on your license type and how long the new license is valid for. A standard five-year renewal costs one amount, while a ten-year renewal costs more. Commercial driver licenses have different fees. The DMV website lists the exact fee for your situation before you pay, so you'll know the cost before you commit to renewing.

You pay the fee regardless of which renewal method you choose. If you renew online, you pay by credit or debit card. If you renew by mail, you send a check or money order. If you renew in person, you pay at the counter with cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

If your license has already expired

You can still renew an expired license through any of the three methods — online, by mail, or in person. However, if your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The DMV may also require you to pass a vision test or written test if your license has been expired for a long time.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in California, even if you have a renewal in progress. If you're stopped by law enforcement, you could face a fine. If your license expired recently and you're waiting for your new one to arrive, carry the temporary paper license the DMV gave you as proof that your renewal is pending.

What happens after you renew

Once you complete your renewal, the DMV mails you a temporary paper license valid for 60 days. This temporary license has the same legal weight as your plastic license — you can drive with it, show it to police, and use it for identification. Your permanent plastic license arrives separately in the mail within two to three weeks.

If your permanent license doesn't arrive within three weeks, check the status on the DMV website or call the DMV customer service line. If it's been more than four weeks, contact the DMV to report it as lost in the mail. The DMV can issue a replacement or reprint your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your license up to 60 days before it expires. The DMV recommends renewing early to avoid the rush as your expiration date approaches. If you renew early, your new license will be valid for the full term from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

What if I need to change my address when I renew?

If you're renewing online, you can update your address during the online process. If you're renewing by mail or in person, you can change your address at the same time. You'll need proof of your new California address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

If you renew online or by mail, the DMV uses your photo from your current license. If you renew in person at a DMV office, they will take a new photo. You cannot request a new photo if you're renewing online or by mail unless you renew in person instead.

How long is my new license valid for?

Standard California driver licenses are valid for five years from the date you renew. If you're over 70, your license is valid for four years. Commercial licenses have different validity periods. The renewal notice the DMV mails you will tell you how long your new license will be valid.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You don't need the renewal notice to renew your license. You can renew online using your driver license number and date of birth, or you can visit a DMV office with your current license and proof of residency. If you want another copy of the notice, you can request it on the DMV website or by calling the DMV.