Renew your driver's license in California

Online or in person

Yes, if eligible · If your notice says soOnline if you are within 90 days before or 12 months after the expiration date, need no change to your address or personal description, and are not renewing a commercial DL or applying for a REAL ID for the first time. You renew in person if you received a notice to renew in person. Name or gender identity changes must be processed at a DMV office.

Cost

$46Class C driver's license renewal application fee, from the DMV fee table. The DMV says there are no late fees to renew a DL that has already expired.

You leave with

New card by mailThe DMV says a new DL or ID card arrives in the mail within three to four weeks after an in-person renewal (its online renewal page says two to four weeks). In person, the DMV issues a temporary DL (valid for 60 days) until the license arrives.

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Renewal notice or DL/ID card application
     For an in-person renewal.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • The DMV renewal notice mailed to you (cross out old information and write in the current information)
     • A completed DL or ID card application
   • Proof of identity and residency for a REAL ID · all that apply
     Only if you apply for a REAL ID in person: provide proof of your identity and residency from the list of acceptable REAL ID documents.

2. Pick the one that fits you:

   1. Option 1: Renew online

      Start with the online renewal page. If you received a notice to renew at a DMV office, you can start the renewal online and finish at the office.

      Online renewal on dmv.ca.gov ↗

   2. Option 2: Renew by mail

      A DL can be renewed by mail if you can answer no to the DMV's questions, for example: does your DL expire more than 120 days from today, are you on driving probation or suspension, and have you already received two consecutive five-year extensions by mail/internet. An ID card can be renewed by mail if your last two ID cards were not renewed by mail/internet, it has not been expired more than one year and you are not changing or correcting your name.

      Renewal rules on dmv.ca.gov ↗

   3. Option 3: Renew in person

      At a DMV office you complete a DL or ID card application (or bring your renewal notice), have your thumbprint scanned, have your photo taken and pay the application fee (no fee for senior citizen ID cards). For a DL you also pass a vision exam and pay a nonrefundable fee. Pass the knowledge test(s) if your renewal notice says you need them (three attempts per test).

      In-person renewal on dmv.ca.gov ↗

3. Wait for your card

   If you have not received your card after 60 days, check your status online.

   DL/ID card status ↗