Renew your California driver license before or after expiration, but driving with an expired license is illegal

An expired California driver license means you cannot legally drive. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited for driving with an expired license, even if the license expired just yesterday. The good news is that California lets you renew your license up to 60 days before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the last moment. You can also renew after expiration, but the sooner you do, the sooner you are legal again.

The renewal process depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you can renew by mail or online. Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to visit a DMV office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew your California license online at dmv.ca.gov or by mail starting 60 days before expiration, and you should do so before your license expires to stay legal.
  • If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can usually renew online or by mail without visiting a DMV office.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, you must visit a DMV office in person and will need to pass a vision test and written test.
  • Driving with an expired license can result in a citation, even if expiration was recent, so renewing should be your first step.

Renewing online if your license expired within five years

If your California license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online through the DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. You will need your driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $44 for a four-year renewal or $66 for an eight-year renewal.

After you complete the online renewal, the DMV will mail your new license to the address on file. This usually takes two to three weeks. During that time, you can print a temporary license from the DMV website, which you can carry as proof that your renewal is in progress. A temporary license does not make it legal to drive — only your new physical license does — but it shows law enforcement that you have taken action.

If you do not have a printer or cannot print the temporary license, you can request one by mail from the DMV, though this takes longer. Some people choose to visit a DMV office to get a temporary license printed when ready, which takes about 30 minutes.

Renewing by mail if you prefer not to go online

You can also renew by mail if your license expired within five years. Visit dmv.ca.gov and read the DL 44 form (process for California Driver License), or request it by mail. Fill out the form, include a new photo (you can take one yourself or have one taken at a photo shop), and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee to the DMV address listed on the form.

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — usually four to six weeks — because the DMV processes mail applications in batches. You will not receive a temporary license this way, so you will be driving illegally until your new license arrives. For this reason, online renewal is faster if you need to drive soon.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

If your license expired more than five years ago, you must visit a DMV office in person. You cannot renew online or by mail. Bring your expired license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and proof of identity (a passport or birth certificate). You will take a vision test and pass a written test on California traffic laws.

Visit dmv.ca.gov and use the office locator to find the DMV office nearest you. You can make an appointment online, which usually gets you in within one to three weeks depending on your area. Walk-ins are accepted but wait times can be several hours. Bring all required documents or your process will be rejected and you will have to return.

The written test covers California traffic laws and safe driving practices. You can study using the DMV handbook, available free online at dmv.ca.gov. The test has 36 questions and you must answer at least 30 correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment.

What happens if you are caught driving with an expired license

Driving with an expired California license is a traffic violation. A police officer can pull you over and cite you for Vehicle Code Section 12500, which prohibits driving with an expired license. The citation carries a fine that varies by county but typically ranges from $100 to $250 for a first offense. You may also be required to show proof of renewal in court.

If your license has been expired for more than a year, the fine is usually higher. If you are in an accident while driving with an expired license, your insurance may deny your claim, leaving you personally responsible for damages. For this reason, renewing before you drive again is important even if you have not been stopped yet.

Renewing if you have changed your name or address

If you have changed your name or address since your license was issued, you can update this information during renewal. If renewing online, you can change your address in the online form. If renewing by mail or in person, include the new information on the form and bring proof of the change (a marriage certificate for a name change, or a utility bill for an address change).

If you have moved out of state and no longer live in California, you cannot renew your California license. You will need to obtain a license from your new state instead. Contact the DMV in your new state for their renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to the DMV office if my license is expired?

Technically, driving with an expired license is illegal, even to the DMV. However, police generally do not cite drivers heading to a DMV office to renew. To be safe, have someone else drive you, or take public transportation or a rideshare service.

What if I lost my expired license and cannot find it?

You can still renew. When you renew online or by mail, you will provide your license number if you have it, but if you do not, the DMV can look it up using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. If renewing in person, bring your proof of identity and residency instead.

Do I have to retake the written test if my license expired recently?

No. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail without retaking any test. You only retake the written and vision tests if your license expired more than five years ago and you must renew in person.

How much does it cost to renew a California driver license?

Online or mail renewal costs $44 for a four-year license or $66 for an eight-year license. In-person renewal at a DMV office costs the same, plus a $1 process fee. Fees may vary slightly by county.

What if I renew online but do not receive my new license after three weeks?

Contact the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to check the status of your renewal. Provide your driver license number and date of birth. If your license was lost in the mail, the DMV can reissue it. You can also check the status online at dmv.ca.gov using your license number.