Renewing your California driver license online or by mail

You can renew your California driver license without visiting a DMV office if you meet certain conditions. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you renew online through their website, by mail, or in person. Online renewal is the fastest option — you can complete it in minutes from home, and your new license arrives by mail in about two weeks. Mail renewal takes longer but works the same way: you send in your current license and a completed form, and DMV mails back your renewed license.

You are may be able to access for online or mail renewal if your license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical conditions that need to be reviewed, and your address on file is current. If your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to update your address, medical information, or name, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The same applies if you want to change your organ donor status or add a REAL ID star to your license.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the DMV website takes about two weeks and costs $39 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license.
  • You can only renew online or by mail if your license expired less than five years ago and you have no medical conditions to report.
  • Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed DL 44 or DL 43 form, and a check or money order to the DMV address listed on the form.
  • If you need to add a REAL ID star, change your address, or update medical information, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
  • Your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks of approval, and you can use your old license until the new one arrives.

Renewing online through the DMV website

To renew online, go to the California DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit card or credit card). The DMV will ask you to confirm your address, emergency contact, and organ donor preference. You cannot change your name, address, or medical information online — if any of that information is wrong, you must renew in person instead.

After you submit your online renewal, DMV sends you a confirmation number by email. Your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file, usually arriving within two weeks. You can continue to use your current license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive your new license within three weeks, contact the DMV to check the status of your renewal.

Renewing by mail

To renew by mail, read and print the DL 43 form (Renewal process) from the California DMV website, or request one by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133. Fill out the form with your current information, sign it, and enclose your current driver license. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — $39 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license — made payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Mail your completed form, license, and payment to the DMV address shown on the form. Processing takes four to six weeks from the date DMV receives your envelope. Keep a copy of your form and the tracking number if you mail it with tracking service. Once DMV approves your renewal, your new license is mailed to the address on file. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

If you cannot renew online or by mail, or if you need to update your address, name, or medical information, you must renew in person. Visit a DMV office with your current driver license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment for the renewal fee. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal, but you can make one online to reduce wait time. Walk-in service is available at most offices, but wait times vary. Bring all required documents to avoid a second trip. If you are adding a REAL ID star to your license, bring an additional document that proves your identity and citizenship — a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers.

Renewal fees and license validity

California driver license renewal costs $39 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license. You choose the length when you renew. The eight-year license costs more but lasts longer, so the annual cost is lower. Payment methods depend on how you renew: online renewal accepts debit or credit cards, mail renewal requires a check or money order, and in-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Your new license is valid for the number of years you chose at renewal — four or eight years from the date of issue. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. If you renew before your current license expires, your new license validity period starts on the date you renew, not on the expiration date of your old license.

What to do if your license expired more than five years ago

If your California driver license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment for the renewal fee. If your address has changed since your license expired, bring a document that shows your current address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

The DMV may ask you to retake the written test or vision test if your license has been expired for a very long time, depending on how long ago it expired and your age. Call your local DMV office before you visit to ask whether you need to prepare for a test. Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it, such as a Social Security card or tax return, in case DMV needs to verify your information.

Updating your address, name, or medical information during renewal

If you need to change your address, name, or medical information on your license, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You cannot make these changes online or by mail. Bring your current driver license, proof of your new address (if you are moving), and any documents that show a legal name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Medical information includes conditions that affect your ability to drive safely, such as hearing loss, vision problems, or seizure disorders. If you have a new medical condition or if a previous condition has changed, tell the DMV office staff when you renew. They will ask you questions about your condition and may require a medical evaluation from your doctor before they issue your new license. This process takes longer than a standard renewal, so plan for extra time at the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old license while I wait for my new one to arrive?

Yes. Your old license remains valid until your new license arrives in the mail. Once you receive your new license, the old one is no longer valid. If your new license arrives and you still have your old one, you can destroy it or keep it as a record.

What happens if I lose my renewal form before I mail it?

read and print a new DL 43 form from the California DMV website, or call 1-800-777-0133 to request one by mail. Fill it out again and mail it with your license and payment. There is no penalty for requesting a replacement form.

Do I need a REAL ID star on my license?

A REAL ID star is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you want the star, you must renew in person and bring proof of identity and citizenship — a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers. You cannot add a REAL ID star online or by mail.

How long does it take to get my new license if I renew in person?

If you renew in person at a DMV office, you receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 60 days. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. You can use the temporary license to drive during that time.

What if the DMV rejects my mail renewal?

DMV will mail you a letter explaining why your renewal was rejected — usually because a signature was missing, the form was incomplete, or the payment was incorrect. Follow the instructions in the letter to resubmit your renewal. You can also call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to ask what went wrong before you resubmit.