California requires you to renew your driver's license every five or ten years, depending on your age and the type of license you hold

Your California driver's license expires on your birthday in the year printed on the card. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) mails a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for that notice to start the process. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The method you can use depends on whether you have made changes to your information since your last renewal and how long it has been since your last in-person visit.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and take a new written test and vision test. If your license is current or expired less than five years ago, you have more options. California does not charge a separate renewal fee for standard driver's licenses — the cost is built into your vehicle registration, which you pay annually to the DMV.

Key Takeaways

  • California driver's licenses expire on your birthday and must be renewed every five years if you are under 70, or every ten years if you are 70 or older.
  • You can renew online through the DMV website if your license expired less than five years ago and you have not changed your address, name, or other key information.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office and pass a vision test and written test.
  • The DMV mails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you can start the process anytime without waiting for the notice.

Online renewal through the DMV website

The fastest way to renew is online at dmv.ca.gov if you meet the requirements. You must have a current or recently expired license, be a California resident, and have no changes to your name, address, or other personal information since your last renewal. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method.

The online process takes about 10 minutes. You answer questions about your current information, review and confirm your details, and pay the renewal fee using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The DMV will mail your new license to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

If you have made any changes — moved to a new address, changed your name, or updated your gender marker — you cannot use online renewal and must go to a DMV office in person or renew by mail.

Mail renewal for unchanged information

You can renew by mail if your license has not expired more than five years ago and your information has not changed. The DMV renewal notice includes a mail-in form and instructions. You fill out the form, sign it, and mail it back with payment. Some renewal notices include a prepaid envelope; if yours does not, you pay for postage yourself.

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DMV receives your form. You can drive on your current license during this time. If the DMV needs more information or finds a problem with your process, they will contact you by mail, which adds more time to the process.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have changed your name or address, or if you want to update your gender marker or other information. You will need to bring your current or expired license, proof of California residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return). If you changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

At the DMV office, you will take a vision test and a written test covering traffic laws and road signs. The written test is the same test new drivers take. You can study using the California Driver Handbook, available free on the DMV website. If you pass both tests, the DMV will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the office.

Wait times at DMV offices vary widely by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the DMV website before you go. Many offices now allow you to make an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time significantly.

Age-based renewal schedules

California groups drivers by age for renewal purposes. If you are under 70, your license is valid for five years from the date of issue. If you are 70 or older, your license is valid for ten years. This means older drivers renew less frequently, but they must renew in person each time — online and mail renewal are not available for drivers 70 and older.

Drivers with certain medical conditions may be required to renew more frequently or may have restrictions on their license. The DMV will notify you if this applies to you.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired license is illegal in California. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can be cited. However, if your license expired within the last six months and you can show proof that you have started the renewal process, an officer may issue a warning instead of a citation. After six months of expiration, there is no grace period.

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it through the normal process. You must explore for a new license as if you were a new driver, which includes taking both the written test and the driving test. This is more time-consuming and costly than a standard renewal.

Paying the renewal fee

The renewal fee for a standard five-year or ten-year driver's license is included in your vehicle registration fee, which you pay annually to the DMV. You do not pay a separate renewal fee at the time you renew your license. If you renew online or by mail, you pay the fee as part of that transaction. If you renew in person, the fee is included in what you pay at the DMV office.

If you have unpaid traffic tickets, parking violations, or other outstanding DMV fines, the DMV may hold your renewal until you resolve those issues. Check your DMV record online before you renew to see if there are any holds on your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your license up to 60 days before it expires. Many people do this to avoid the rush near their birthday or to get a new license with an updated photo. The renewal process is the same whether you renew early or wait until closer to the expiration date.

What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?

You must renew in person or by mail if you have moved. Online renewal is not available when your address has changed. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The DMV will update your address and mail your new license to the new address.

Do I have to take the written test if I renew in person?

You must take the written test if your license expired more than five years ago or if you are renewing in person for any other reason. If you renew online or by mail and your license is current or expired less than five years, you do not take a test. Study the California Driver Handbook on the DMV website before your in-person appointment.

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

If you renew online or by mail, the DMV mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, some offices issue the license on the spot; others mail it. Ask at the DMV office which applies to you. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?

You must report the loss to the DMV and request a replacement. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. Once you have reported the loss, you can renew your license through the normal process. If your license has expired, you may need to renew in person and take the written and vision tests.