Renewing your California driver’s license is a straightforward process that can be completed online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. You can renew your license up to six months before its expiration, and the DMV usually sends a renewal notice 6-8 weeks before the expiration date.
Renewal Methods:
1. Online Renewal:
You can renew online if you meet these requirements:
- Your personal information (name, address) remains unchanged.
- You are not upgrading to a REAL ID for the first time.
- You are not renewing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- You have not already renewed online two consecutive times.
If eligible, you can complete the process through the DMV’s website and pay the renewal fee using a debit or credit card.
2. Mail-In Renewal:
You may be eligible to renew by mail if:
- Your license is within 120 days of expiration.
- You are under 70 years old at the time of expiration.
- You have not received two consecutive five-year renewals by mail or online.
- You are not on driving probation or suspension.
- You have not failed to appear in court for a traffic violation in the last two years.
To renew by mail, complete the renewal form sent to you by the DMV, update any necessary details, and mail it along with a check for the renewal fee to the DMV’s Renewal By Mail Unit. If you did not receive a renewal notice but believe you qualify, you can complete a renewal eligibility form and mail it to the DMV.
3. In-Person Renewal:
Some drivers must renew in person, especially after renewing by mail or online twice in a row. To renew in person:
- Visit a DMV office and complete a renewal application.
- Provide a thumbprint scan.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Have your photo taken.
- Take a knowledge test if required (your renewal notice will indicate this).
- If applying for a REAL ID, present proof of identity, Social Security Number, and residency.
After completing these steps, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 60 days while waiting for your new card, which typically arrives within 4-6 weeks.
Additional Renewal Situations:
- Expired License: If your license has expired, there is a 60-day grace period to renew without penalties. After that, you must visit a DMV office and may need to complete additional steps.
- Suspended License: Before renewing, you must resolve the reason for suspension and complete any reinstatement steps required by the DMV.
- Lost, Damaged, or Stolen License: You will need to request a duplicate, which will also update your expiration date. You may need to visit the DMV and provide necessary documents to receive a temporary license while waiting for your new card.
- Renewing While Out of State: If you are temporarily out of state, you can request a one-year extension from the DMV to maintain a valid license.
By understanding these renewal options and requirements, you can ensure your California driver’s license remains valid without unnecessary delays.
Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.