California driver's license renewal costs $38 for a standard eight-year license
The renewal fee for a California driver's license is $38 if you renew by mail or online, or if you renew in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. This is the fee for a standard eight-year license. If you are over 70 years old, your license lasts five years instead, and the renewal fee is also $38.
You pay this fee once every time your license expires and you want to renew it. The fee covers the cost of processing your renewal, issuing a new card, and maintaining your driving record with the state. California does not charge different amounts based on where you live or which DMV office you use.
If you renew online or by mail, you will not pay any additional processing fees on top of the $38. If you renew in person at a DMV office, the fee is the same — there is no extra charge for walking in.
Key Takeaways
- The renewal fee is $38 for all California drivers renewing a standard eight-year license, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
- Drivers over 70 pay the same $38 fee, but their license is valid for only five years instead of eight.
- You can renew online at dmv.ca.gov without visiting an office, which may save you time but does not reduce the fee.
- If you renew by mail, you will need to include payment with your process, and processing takes several weeks.
- The $38 fee does not include any optional services like a REAL ID upgrade or a commercial driver's license renewal, which cost more.
When you can renew online versus by mail or in person
California lets you renew online at dmv.ca.gov if your license is not expired yet and you meet a few conditions. Your license must not be suspended or revoked, you must not need to update your photo, and you must have a valid Social Security number on file. If all three are true, you can pay the $38 fee and renew without leaving home.
Online renewal takes about two weeks from the time you submit your process. Your new license will arrive by mail. You cannot use your old license to drive during this time if it has already expired, so renew before the expiration date on your current card.
If you cannot renew online — for example, because your license is already expired or you need a new photo — you can renew by mail or in person. By mail, you send your process and payment to the DMV address listed on their website, and it takes three to four weeks. In person, you visit a DMV office, pay the $38 fee, and usually leave with a temporary license the same day while your permanent card is mailed to you.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license has been expired for less than six months, you can still renew it for the standard $38 fee. You cannot renew online if it is expired, but you can renew by mail or in person.
If your license has been expired for more than six months, California treats it as a new license process rather than a renewal. This costs more than $38 and requires you to pass a written test and an eye exam. You must also visit a DMV office in person — you cannot do this by mail or online. The total cost for a new license process is $39 for the license itself, plus $20 for the written test, plus $20 for the driving test if you need it, though the exact total depends on what tests you must take.
REAL ID and other upgrades that cost extra
The standard $38 renewal fee gets you a regular California driver's license. If you want a REAL ID — a license that meets federal security standards and can be used to board domestic flights — you pay an additional $15 on top of the $38, for a total of $53.
You do not have to get a REAL ID. A regular license still works for driving and for most identification purposes. However, starting in May 2025, you will need a REAL ID or a passport to board a domestic flight in the United States. If you fly domestically and do not have a passport, upgrading to REAL ID during your renewal is one way to prepare.
If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) instead of a regular license, the renewal fee is different. A CDL renewal costs $65 for an eight-year license. If you are renewing both a regular license and a CDL at the same time, you pay both fees.
How to pay your renewal fee
If you renew online, you pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check at dmv.ca.gov. The payment is processed when ready when you submit your process.
If you renew by mail, you can include a check or money order with your process. Make the check payable to "Department of Motor Vehicles" and mail it with your renewal form to the address listed on the DMV website. Do not send cash by mail.
If you renew in person at a DMV office, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Most offices accept all four methods, but you can call ahead to confirm what your local office takes.
What to do if you cannot find your renewal notice
The DMV mails you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires. This notice has your process number and instructions for renewing online or by mail. If you lose the notice, you can still renew — you just need to know your driver's license number.
To renew online without your notice, go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Renew Your License." You will enter your license number and other personal information. The website will tell you whether you are may be able to access to renew online and let you proceed with payment.
If you want to renew by mail without your notice, you can read the renewal form from dmv.ca.gov or call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to request one. Fill out the form, include your $38 payment, and mail it to the address on the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the $38 fee if I renew online instead of in person?
Yes. The renewal fee is $38 no matter which method you use — online, by mail, or in person. Renewing online does not cost less; it just saves you time and a trip to the DMV office.
What if I renew my license but it arrives damaged or with a mistake on it?
Contact the DMV and explain the problem. If the error is the DMV's fault, they will issue a replacement at no charge. If the card arrived damaged in the mail, the DMV can usually reissue it for free as well. Call 1-800-777-0133 to report the issue.
Can I renew my license if it has been suspended?
No. You cannot renew a suspended license. You must first clear the suspension — usually by paying a fine, completing a traffic school course, or meeting another requirement — and then you can renew. Contact the DMV or the court that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do.
Is there a discount if I renew multiple licenses at once, like for my spouse?
No. Each person pays the $38 renewal fee separately. There are no group discounts or family rates for driver's license renewals in California.
What if I move to California from another state — do I pay $38 to get a California license?
No. Getting a new license as a new resident is not a renewal; it is a new license process. The fee is $39 for the license plus $20 for the written test, and you must visit a DMV office in person. This is different from renewing a license you already hold.