California driver licenses renew by mail, online, or in person depending on your age and record

California lets you renew your driver license through three routes: mail, the DMV website, or a DMV office. Which one you can use depends on whether you are under 70, whether your license is still valid or expired, and whether you have had any major violations or address changes. Most people under 70 with a clean record can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If you are 70 or older, or if your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person.

The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs $39 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal takes longer — typically two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your process — but requires no office visit. In-person renewal at a DMV office usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the location is.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online at dmv.ca.gov if your license is not expired, you are under 70, and you have no major violations or address changes.
  • Mail renewal requires form DL 44 or DL 43, a check or money order, and takes two to three weeks; you can request it from the DMV website or by phone.
  • In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, you are 70 or older, or you have had a suspension or major violation.
  • You will need to pass a vision test for any renewal, whether online, by mail, or in person.
  • Your new license will arrive by mail within two weeks of approval; you can use your old license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal through the DMV website

The fastest way to renew is through dmv.ca.gov if you meet the requirements. You must have a valid (not expired) California driver license, be under 70 years old, have no major violations or suspensions in the past 10 years, and have no address change. You will also need to pass a vision test, which the DMV conducts through your computer's camera or by uploading a photo you take yourself.

To start, go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Renew Your Driver License" under the Online Services section. You will enter your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The DMV will verify your identity and pull up your record. If you pass the vision test, you can pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card. The fee is $39 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within two weeks.

If the online system tells you that you cannot renew online, it means you do not meet one of the requirements — usually because your license is expired, you are 70 or older, or you have a violation on your record. In that case, you will need to renew by mail or in person.

Mail renewal with form DL 43

Mail renewal works if your license is not expired, you are under 70, and you have no major violations or address changes. You will need form DL 43, which is the renewal process. You can get this form by visiting dmv.ca.gov and downloading it, by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133, or by visiting a DMV office in person.

Fill out the form with your current information. You will also need to include a check or money order for $39 (four-year license) or $64 (eight-year license), made payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Do not send cash. Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the form — this varies by county, so check the DMV website for your county's mailing address.

The DMV will process your process within two to three weeks of receiving it. You will receive your new license by mail at the address on file. You can continue to use your old license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the DMV to check the status of your renewal.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, you are 70 or older, you have had a suspension or major violation, or you have changed your address. You will also need to renew in person if the online or mail systems tell you that you do not meet their requirements.

Bring your current driver license (or expired license if you still have it), proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You will need to pass a vision test and have your photo taken. The renewal fee is the same as online or mail: $39 for four years or $64 for eight years.

To avoid a long wait, make an appointment through dmv.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders are usually seen first. Bring all your documents with you; if any are missing, the DMV may not be able to complete your renewal that day.

Vision test requirements for all renewal types

California requires a vision test for every driver license renewal, regardless of how you renew. For online renewal, you will take the test through your computer's camera or by uploading a photo. The test checks whether you can read a standard eye chart from a normal driving distance. If you wear glasses or contacts while driving, you must wear them during the test.

For mail renewal, you will not take a vision test as part of the process. Instead, the DMV will send you a vision test form to complete and return, or you may be asked to have your vision certified by an eye doctor. Check the instructions that come with form DL 43 to see what is required in your case.

For in-person renewal, a DMV employee will administer the vision test at the office. If you fail the test, you will be asked to see an eye doctor and bring a vision certification form back to the DMV before your license can be renewed.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license expired less than five years ago, you can still renew by mail or online if you meet the other requirements (no major violations, no address change, under 70). The process is the same as renewing a valid license.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DMV office. You will need to bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal, plus your expired license if you still have it. The fee is the same: $39 for four years or $64 for eight years.

If your license has been expired for more than 10 years, the DMV may require you to take a written driving test in addition to the vision test. Call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to confirm what is required before you visit an office.

Timeline and what to expect after renewal

Online renewal is the fastest: your new license will be mailed within two weeks of approval. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your process, plus mail delivery time — typically four to five weeks total from when you mail the form. In-person renewal is the quickest if you are in the office: you will receive your new license by mail within two weeks.

You can use your old license to drive until your new license arrives. Your new license will have a new expiration date, usually four or eight years from the date of renewal. The expiration date will be printed on the front of your new license.

If you do not receive your new license within the expected timeframe, you can check the status on dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133. Have your driver license number and date of birth ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my California driver license if I have an out-of-state address?

No. You must have a California address to hold a California driver license. If you have moved out of state, you will need to get a driver license from your new state instead. If you are temporarily out of state but still a California resident, you can renew online or by mail as long as you update your address to a California address on file with the DMV.

What if I lost my driver license and need to renew?

You cannot renew online or by mail if you do not have your license number. You will need to visit a DMV office in person. Bring your proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of address. The DMV will look up your record and issue a replacement license. The fee is the same as a regular renewal.

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

No, not for a standard renewal. You only need to pass the vision test. A written test is required only if your license has been expired for more than 10 years, or if the DMV has suspended or revoked your license for a serious violation.

Can I renew my license early?

Yes. You can renew your California driver license up to 60 days before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid a rush closer to your expiration date. The new expiration date will be calculated from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew.

What if the DMV rejects my online renewal process?

The DMV will tell you why you cannot renew online — usually because your license is expired, you are 70 or older, you have a violation on your record, or you have changed your address. You can then renew by mail or in person using the appropriate method for your situation. Call 1-800-777-0133 if you are unsure which method to use.