How to renew your California driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your California driver's license through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in three ways: online if you meet certain conditions, by mail if you're renewing early, or in person at a DMV office. Most people renew online because it takes 10 minutes and costs less than going in person. You'll need your current license number, a credit or debit card, and a mailing address in California. The DMV will mail your new license to you within 7 to 10 business days.
Your license expires on your birthday. You can renew it up to 60 days before that date. If your license has already expired, you cannot renew online — you must go to a DMV office in person or by mail.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes 10 minutes, costs $39, and works only if your license is not yet expired and you have not had a name change since your last renewal.
- Mail renewal is free if you explore between 60 and 6 months before your expiration date, but takes 4 to 6 weeks total.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license has expired, you have changed your name, or you need a new photo.
- You will receive a temporary paper license when ready if you renew in person; the plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If you are over 70, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test.
Renewing online through the DMV website
Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the homepage. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a credit or debit card. The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer a few security questions about your driving history.
Online renewal works only if all of these are true: your license is not yet expired, you have not changed your name since your last renewal, you do not need corrective lenses noted on your license, and you are under 70 years old. If any of these do not explore to you, skip to the in-person or mail sections below.
The fee is $39. After you pay, the DMV will send you a confirmation email. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on your old license until the new one arrives.
Renewing by mail if you're renewing early
Mail renewal is free and works only if you explore between 60 and 6 months before your license expires. You cannot mail-renew if your license has already expired.
Call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to request a renewal form, or read the form DL 44 from dmv.ca.gov. Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it to the address printed on the form along with your current license. Do not send cash — the DMV does not accept payment by mail for renewals.
Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DMV receives your form. Your new license will arrive by mail. During this time, your old license remains valid, so you can drive legally.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
You must renew in person if your license has expired, you have changed your name, you need a new photo, you are over 70, or you want to add or remove corrective lens restrictions. Bring your current license, proof of California residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and a credit or debit card for the $39 fee.
Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Find a DMV Office," and choose the location nearest you. Many offices now let you book an appointment online, which reduces wait time. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait 1 to 3 hours depending on the time of day and location.
At the office, you will take a new photo, pass a vision test, and answer questions about your health and driving record. The DMV will give you a temporary paper license valid for 60 days while your plastic card is mailed to you. Your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
What happens if your license has already expired
You cannot renew online or by mail once your license expires. You must go to a DMV office in person. Bring the same documents as listed above: your expired license, proof of residency, and a payment method.
An expired license does not prevent you from renewing — the DMV treats it the same as an active license during the renewal process. However, you cannot legally drive on an expired license, so do not delay. If you are stopped by police, you can show the temporary paper license the DMV gives you at the office.
Renewing if you've changed your name
If you have married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your last renewal, you must renew in person. Bring your current license, a document proving your name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of residency, and $39.
The DMV will issue a new license with your updated name. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office and the plastic card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Renewing if you're over 70
California requires drivers over 70 to renew in person every four years instead of every five years. You must go to a DMV office, bring your current license and proof of residency, and pay $39. You will take a vision test and answer health questions.
If you fail the vision test, the DMV may restrict your license to daytime driving only or require corrective lenses. If you pass, you receive a temporary paper license and the plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on my old license while I wait for the new one?
Yes. If you renewed online or by mail, your old license remains valid until it expires. If you renewed in person, the DMV gives you a temporary paper license valid for 60 days, which you can use to drive while the plastic card is mailed to you.
What if I need my license before 7 to 10 business days?
If you renewed in person, you received a temporary paper license at the office that is valid for 60 days. If you renewed online or by mail and cannot wait, you can visit a DMV office and request an expedited replacement for an additional fee, though this is rarely necessary since your old license is still valid.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew?
No. If you renew online or by mail, the DMV uses your photo from your previous license. You only get a new photo if you renew in person, which is required for name changes, license expiration, or if you are over 70.
What if the DMV mailed my license to the wrong address?
Contact the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and provide your license number and the address where you renewed. If the license was mailed to an old address, the DMV may be able to intercept it or issue a replacement. You can also visit a DMV office in person to request a replacement license.
Can I renew online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Yes, as long as your current license already shows that you need corrective lenses. If you need to add or change this restriction, you must renew in person.