How to reschedule your California DMV appointment online or by phone
You can reschedule a California DMV appointment through the same system where you booked it: the DMV's online appointment portal at dmv.ca.gov, or by calling the DMV directly at 1-800-777-0133. The online method is faster and shows available times when ready. If you booked through a third-party service like Appointment.com or GoAmerica, you must reschedule through that same service, not the DMV website.
The key difference between rescheduling and cancelling is that rescheduling keeps your place in the system — you are moving your existing appointment to a new date and time. Cancelling removes it entirely, and you would need to book a new appointment from scratch, which may take longer depending on demand in your area.
You will need your confirmation number to reschedule. This appears in your confirmation email or text message from when you first booked. If you cannot find it, you can still reschedule by entering your driver's license number and date of birth on the DMV website.
Key Takeaways
- Reschedule through dmv.ca.gov if you booked there originally, or through the third-party service you used if you booked elsewhere.
- You need your confirmation number or driver's license number and date of birth to reschedule online.
- Rescheduling through the DMV website takes minutes and shows real-time availability in your county.
- If you booked through a third-party service, you cannot reschedule through the DMV website — you must go back to that service.
- Call 1-800-777-0133 if the online system is down or if you need to reschedule an appointment made more than 60 days ago.
Reschedule through the DMV website step by step
Go to dmv.ca.gov and look for the "Appointments" link in the main navigation menu. Click "Reschedule an Appointment." You will be asked to enter either your confirmation number or your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your current appointment.
Once your appointment appears on screen, select "Reschedule" or "Change Appointment." The system will show you available dates and times at the same office location. You can filter by date range to find a slot that works for you. Select your preferred time and confirm the change. You will receive a new confirmation number by email and text message within minutes.
The online system typically shows availability up to 60 days in advance. If you need to reschedule beyond that window, you will need to call the DMV directly. The website also goes offline for maintenance on some nights and weekends, so if you see an error message, try again a few hours later.
Reschedule by phone with the DMV
Call 1-800-777-0133 during DMV business hours. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time. Have your confirmation number ready, or your driver's license number and date of birth. Wait times can be long during peak hours — early morning or mid-week calls typically move faster.
Tell the representative you want to reschedule, not cancel. Provide your current appointment details and the date and time you prefer. The representative will check availability and confirm your new appointment on the phone. Ask them to email or text your new confirmation number so you have it in writing.
Phone rescheduling is useful if the online system is not working, if you need to move your appointment beyond 60 days, or if you booked through a third-party service and that service's website is down. It is slower than online rescheduling but guarantees a human can help if something goes wrong.
Reschedule if you booked through a third-party service
If you booked your appointment through Appointment.com, GoAmerica, or another third-party vendor, you must reschedule through that same service. The DMV website will not recognize appointments made elsewhere. Log into the account you created with that service, find your appointment, and look for a "Reschedule" or "Modify" button.
Third-party services often charge a booking fee on top of any DMV fees. Rescheduling through them does not add an extra charge — you are moving the same appointment you already paid for. If the third-party website is down or you cannot find your appointment, call that service's customer support line. The phone number is usually on your confirmation email.
If you want to switch from a third-party service to the DMV's official system, you must cancel your third-party appointment first, then book a new one directly on dmv.ca.gov. This may result in a longer wait for availability, so only do this if the third-party service is not working or if you want to avoid their booking fee on future appointments.
What happens if you miss your rescheduled appointment
If you do not show up for your rescheduled appointment, the DMV will cancel it automatically. You will not receive a warning or a second chance — the appointment slot is released and given to someone else. You will then need to book a new appointment from the beginning, which may take weeks depending on demand in your county.
If you know you cannot make the rescheduled time, reschedule again before the appointment date rather than missing it. This keeps you in the system and avoids the longer wait to book fresh. If you are running late on the day of your appointment, call the DMV office directly — the phone number is on your confirmation email — and ask if they can hold your slot for a few extra minutes.
Common problems when rescheduling and how to fix them
The system says your confirmation number is invalid. Double-check that you entered it exactly as it appears in your email, including any dashes or spaces. If it still does not work, try entering your driver's license number and date of birth instead. If neither works, your appointment may have already been cancelled or expired. Call 1-800-777-0133 to check the status.
No available times appear for your preferred date. The DMV releases appointment slots in batches, and slots fill quickly in busy counties. Try searching for dates further out, or check back the next day — new slots often open overnight. You can also call the DMV to ask when the next batch of appointments will be released for your location.
You booked through a third-party service and cannot log back in. Check your email for the confirmation message from that service — it usually contains a link to manage your appointment. If you still cannot access it, call the third-party service's support line. Do not call the DMV; they cannot reschedule appointments made through other vendors.
The DMV website is down or showing an error. Try again in a few hours. The DMV website undergoes maintenance on some nights and weekends. If it is still down after several hours, call 1-800-777-0133 to reschedule by phone instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reschedule my appointment to a different DMV office location?
No. When you reschedule through the DMV website or by phone, you can only change the date and time at the same office where you originally booked. If you need to move to a different location, you must cancel your current appointment and book a new one at the other office. This may result in a longer wait.
How far in advance do I need to reschedule?
You can reschedule up until the day of your appointment. However, rescheduling at least a few days ahead gives you more available time slots to choose from. If you reschedule the day of your appointment, you may find few or no open times.
Will I lose my place in line if I reschedule?
No. Rescheduling moves your appointment to a new date and time but does not affect your priority. You are not going to the back of a queue — you are straightforward changing when you show up.
What if I need to reschedule an appointment I booked more than 60 days ago?
The online system only shows availability 60 days in advance. Call 1-800-777-0133 to reschedule appointments beyond that window. A representative can move your appointment to a date further out if needed.
Do I have to pay a fee to reschedule?
No. Rescheduling through the DMV website or by phone is free. If you originally booked through a third-party service that charged a booking fee, rescheduling through that service does not add another charge.