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's appointment line at 1-833-636-4636. The online method is faster and works 24 hours a day. You will need your appointment confirmation number, which was sent to you when you first booked. If you cannot find it, you can look it up using your driver's license number or ID number and your date of birth.

The phone line operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time. Wait times are often long during peak hours, so calling early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon may be faster. You do not need to cancel your old appointment before booking a new one—rescheduling automatically cancels the original slot and opens it for someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • Reschedule online at dmv.ca.gov using your confirmation number, or call 1-833-636-4636 during business hours.
  • You need your appointment confirmation number or your driver's license number and date of birth to reschedule.
  • Rescheduling automatically cancels your original appointment, so you do not need to cancel separately.
  • Available appointment dates vary by location and service type, so check multiple dates if your preferred time is full.
  • If you cannot reschedule online or by phone, visit your local DMV office in person to reschedule at the service counter.

Rescheduling through the DMV website step by step

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Schedule an Appointment" from the homepage. You will see an option to reschedule an existing appointment. Enter your confirmation number (a 10-digit code sent in your confirmation email or text message). If you do not have the confirmation number, choose the option to look it up by driver's license or ID number and your date of birth.

Once your appointment is found, you will see the current date, time, and location. Select "Reschedule" and choose a new date and time from the available slots. The system shows only times that are actually open at that location for your service type. If no times appear, that location is fully booked for the next several weeks—try selecting a different DMV office or service location nearby, or check back in a few days when new slots may open.

Confirm your new appointment details and submit. You will receive a new confirmation number by email or text, depending on how you set up your original appointment. Save this new confirmation number in case you need to reschedule again.

Rescheduling by phone

Call 1-833-636-4636 and follow the automated prompts to reschedule. Have your confirmation number ready, or your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your appointment and ask you to confirm your current details before offering available times.

If you reach a live representative, they can reschedule you to any open slot and may be able to answer questions about wait times at specific locations. Representatives can also help if your appointment is in the past or if you are having trouble accessing the online system. The phone line does not charge a fee for rescheduling.

What to do if you cannot find your confirmation number

Your confirmation number was sent when you booked your appointment, usually by email or text message. Check your email inbox (including spam or promotions folders) and text messages for a message from the California DMV. The confirmation number is a 10-digit code.

If you cannot locate it, both the website and phone system allow you to look up your appointment using your driver's license number or state ID number and your date of birth instead. This method works even if you booked the appointment years ago. If you have lost your driver's license and do not have an ID number, call the DMV directly and a representative can help you reschedule.

Rescheduling in person at a DMV office

If you cannot reschedule online or by phone, you can visit your local DMV office and ask to reschedule at the service counter. Bring your confirmation number or your driver's license. You do not need to take a number or wait in the full line—tell staff at the entrance that you are rescheduling an appointment, and they will direct you to the right counter.

In-person rescheduling is usually faster than calling during busy times, but it requires you to travel to an office. This option is most useful if you are already at the DMV for another reason or if you live very close to an office.

Why your preferred appointment time might not be available

DMV appointment slots fill quickly, especially for popular times like early morning, lunch hours, and late afternoon. If the date and time you want are not showing as available, the location may be fully booked for several weeks ahead. This is common in large cities and during busy seasons (spring and summer).

You have several options: choose a different time of day at the same location, select a different DMV office if one is nearby, or check back in a few days—the system sometimes releases new slots as cancellations come in. Some people reschedule for an earlier time at a less popular location and find slots available weeks sooner.

What happens after you reschedule

Your new appointment confirmation will be sent by email or text within a few minutes. Your old appointment is automatically cancelled and the slot becomes available for someone else. You do not need to do anything else—just show up at your new appointment date and time with the documents you need for your service.

If you receive a confirmation for your old appointment time after you have rescheduled, ignore it. The system sometimes sends duplicate messages. Your new confirmation number is the one that matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my appointment the day before or the day of?

Yes, you can reschedule up until the time of your appointment. However, available slots may be very limited on short notice. If you need to reschedule urgently, calling the DMV line may be faster than checking online, since a representative can sometimes find slots that are not showing in the regular system.

Do I have to pay a fee to reschedule?

No. Rescheduling an appointment is free whether you do it online, by phone, or in person. You only pay fees for the actual DMV service (like renewing your license) when you show up for your appointment.

What if I need to reschedule multiple times?

You can reschedule as many times as you need using the same process. Each time you reschedule, you get a new confirmation number. Keep the most recent one and disregard the old ones.

Can I reschedule someone else's appointment?

No. The DMV system requires the confirmation number or the driver's license number and date of birth of the person whose appointment it is. You cannot reschedule on behalf of another person unless you have their confirmation number or their permission to use their ID information.

What if the website or phone line is not working?

If the online system is down or the phone line is busy, visit your local DMV office in person. Staff can reschedule you at the service counter. You can also try again later—the website and phone line are usually back up within a few hours.