Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and when it expires

California lets you renew your driver license through three routes: the DMV website, the mail, or a DMV office. Which one you can use depends on whether your license is a standard driver license or a REAL ID, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office.

You can renew up to six months before your license expires. The DMV will mail you a renewal notice about two months before the expiration date printed on your current license — that notice tells you which renewal method works for you. If you have not received a notice and your license is close to expiring, you can start the process yourself on the DMV website or by calling 1-800-777-0133.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the DMV website is the fastest option if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address or other personal details.
  • Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks and works for most people, but you must return your old license and pay by check or money order.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need a REAL ID, or if you have changed your name or address.
  • The renewal fee is $64 for a standard driver license valid for five years, or $69 for a REAL ID valid for five years.
  • You can renew starting six months before your license expires, and the DMV will send you a renewal notice about two months before the expiration date.

Renew online through the DMV website

Online renewal is the fastest method and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Renew Your Driver License or Identification Card," and follow the prompts. You will need your current driver license number, your Social Security number, and a payment method (debit card or credit card). The DMV will charge $64 for a standard license or $69 for a REAL ID.

You can only renew online if all of these are true: your license is not expired, you have not changed your name or address since your last renewal, you do not need to update your medical information, and you are not renewing a REAL ID for the first time. If any of these do not explore to you, use the mail or in-person method instead.

After you complete the online renewal, the DMV will mail your new license to the address on file. It usually arrives within two to three weeks. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue to use it for identification and driving.

Renew by mail if you received a renewal notice

If the DMV mailed you a renewal notice, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. Fill out the form that came with the notice, sign it, and mail it back along with your old driver license and payment. Pay by check or money order made out to the Department of Motor Vehicles — do not send cash.

Mail your renewal packet to the address shown on the notice. The DMV processes mail renewals in the order they are received, and it usually takes two to three weeks from the time they receive your packet. During that time, your current license remains valid for driving and identification.

If you did not receive a renewal notice but your license is not yet expired, you can request one by calling 1-800-777-0133 or by visiting dmv.ca.gov and selecting "Order a Renewal Notice." The DMV will mail it to you, and you can then renew by mail using the same process.

Renew in person at a DMV office

You must renew in person at a DMV office if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you are renewing a REAL ID for the first time, if you have changed your name, if you need to update your address, or if you have medical conditions that affect your driving. You will also need to renew in person if you want to change your gender marker or if you are under 18.

Make an appointment through dmv.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Walk-ins are accepted at some offices, but appointment holders are seen first. Bring your current driver license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

At the appointment, a DMV staff member will take a new photo, verify your information, and collect payment. The fee is $64 for a standard license or $69 for a REAL ID. You will receive a temporary paper license that day, valid for 60 days, and your permanent license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks.

What to do if your license has already expired

If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it using any of the three methods above — online, by mail, or in person. The process is the same as renewing a current license, and you do not need to take a written test or driving test.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You will need to take the written test and the driving test, just as you would for a new license. Bring the documents listed in the "Renew in person" section above, plus proof of your residency in California (such as a utility bill dated within the last 60 days). Make an appointment or visit a DMV office during walk-in hours.

REAL ID renewal and standard license renewal are different processes

A REAL ID is a driver license that meets federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. It has a gold star in the upper right corner. A standard driver license does not have this star and cannot be used for federal identification purposes after May 7, 2025.

If your current license is a standard license and you want to renew it as a REAL ID, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your current driver license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and proof of your identity (such as a passport or birth certificate). The fee is $69 instead of $64.

If your current license is already a REAL ID, you can renew it online or by mail using the same process as a standard license renewal, as long as you have not changed your address or name. If you have changed your address or name, you must renew in person.

Track your renewal and handle common problems

After you renew online or by mail, you can track the status of your new license on dmv.ca.gov. Go to "Check Your Driver License or ID Card Status" and enter your driver license number and date of birth. The status will show whether your renewal has been received, processed, or mailed.

If your new license does not arrive within four weeks of renewal, or if you need to drive before it arrives, visit a DMV office with your temporary paper license or your old license. Staff can issue you a temporary extension or a replacement. If your license was lost or stolen in the mail, report it to the DMV by phone at 1-800-777-0133, and they will reissue it at no charge.

If you renewed online but made a mistake on your process, contact the DMV by phone or visit an office before your new license is mailed. Once it is mailed, you will need to visit an office in person to make corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?

If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office and take both the written test and driving test. If it expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online, by mail, or in person without taking tests.

How much does it cost to renew my driver license?

A standard driver license renewal costs $64 and is valid for five years. A REAL ID renewal costs $69 and is also valid for five years. Payment methods vary by renewal type: online renewals accept debit or credit cards, mail renewals require check or money order, and in-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

What if I changed my address since my last renewal?

If you changed your address, you cannot renew online. You can renew by mail if you received a renewal notice (the DMV will use your old address on file), or you can renew in person at a DMV office and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Online and mail renewals usually take two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives or processes your request. In-person renewals issue a temporary paper license valid for 60 days, and your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my new one?

If you renewed online or by mail, your current license remains valid until your new one arrives. If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 60 days. You cannot drive with an expired license that has no temporary replacement.