What happens when your California driver's license expires
Once your California driver's license expires, you cannot legally drive. The DMV will not issue you a citation for straightforward possessing an expired license, but a police officer can cite you if you are behind the wheel. You have a grace period of up to six months after expiration to renew without taking a new written test or vision test — but only if you renew during that window. After six months past expiration, you must pass the written exam and vision test again, just as if you were a new driver.
The good news is that California allows you to renew by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office, depending on how long your license has been expired and what type of license you hold. Most people can complete the renewal without visiting an office at all.
Key Takeaways
- You have six months after expiration to renew without retaking the written and vision tests.
- After six months past expiration, you must pass both tests again and pay a retest fee.
- You can renew online through the DMV website if your license expired within the last six months and you meet other requirements.
- Mail-in renewal is available for standard licenses that expired within six months, and takes two to three weeks.
- If you cannot renew by mail or online, you must visit a DMV office in person and bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of legal presence.
Renewing online if your license expired within six months
The California DMV website lets you renew online at dmv.ca.gov if you meet these conditions: your license expired within the last six months, you are between 18 and 70 years old, your address on file is current, and you do not need to update your photo. You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start.
The online renewal takes about 10 minutes. You will answer a few health and safety questions, review your information, and pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card. Once approved, the DMV will mail your new license to the address on file, usually within two weeks. You can drive on your expired license while you wait for the new one to arrive.
If you do not meet the age or residency requirements, or if you need to update your photo or address, you will need to use mail-in or in-person renewal instead.
Renewing by mail if your license expired within six months
Mail-in renewal is available if your standard driver's license expired within the last six months. You do not need to visit a DMV office. The DMV will send you a renewal notice in the mail before your license expires — watch for it about 60 days before the expiration date on your current license.
To renew by mail, complete the renewal notice, sign it, and mail it back to the DMV with a check or money order for the renewal fee. Include a copy of your proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease) if your address has changed. Mail everything to the address listed on the renewal notice. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet.
If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can request one by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or visiting a DMV office in person. You can also read the renewal form from the DMV website and mail it yourself, though this takes longer than using the official notice.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
You must visit a DMV office in person if your license expired more than six months ago, if you need to update your photo, if you are over 70, or if you did not meet the requirements for online or mail-in renewal. Bring your expired driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of legal presence in California (such as a passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card).
At the office, you will take a new vision test and written test. The written test covers California traffic laws and road signs — it is the same test new drivers take. You will also have a new photo taken for your license. The entire process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is.
Book an appointment online at dmv.ca.gov before you go. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments move faster. You will pay the renewal fee at the time of your visit.
Renewal fees and what they cover
The standard renewal fee for a California driver's license is $64 for an eight-year license if you are under 62, or $39 for a four-year license if you are 62 or older. If your license expired more than six months ago and you must retake the written and vision tests, you will also pay a retest fee of $10 for the written test and $5 for the vision test.
The renewal fee covers the new license card itself and processing. It does not include any optional upgrades, such as a REAL ID-compliant license (which costs an additional $15) or a commercial driver's license upgrade. You can pay by credit card, debit card, check, or money order, depending on which renewal method you choose.
What to do if you need to drive before your new license arrives
If you renewed online or by mail and your new license has not arrived yet, you can drive on your expired license while you wait. California law allows this during the processing period. Keep your expired license with you while driving, along with proof that you have submitted a renewal request — such as a confirmation email from the online renewal or a copy of the mail-in renewal form you sent.
If a police officer stops you, show both your expired license and your proof of renewal. This protects you from a citation. If your new license does not arrive within three weeks of your online renewal or four weeks of your mail-in renewal, contact the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to check the status.
Updating your address or photo during renewal
If your address has changed, you must update it during renewal. For mail-in renewal, include a copy of your new proof of residency with your renewal packet. For online renewal, you can update your address on the DMV website before you complete the transaction, but only if your new address is in California and matches your voter registration or other official records.
If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Online and mail-in renewal use your current photo. A new photo is required if your license has been expired for more than eight years, or if you straightforward want to update how you look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired California license while I wait for my renewal?
Yes, but only if you have already submitted your renewal request through the DMV. Keep your expired license and proof of your renewal request (such as a confirmation email or mailed renewal form) with you while driving. This protection lasts only during the normal processing time — usually two to three weeks.
What if my license expired more than six months ago?
You must pass the written test and vision test again, and you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a DMV office in person. You will also pay an additional retest fee of $10 for the written test and $5 for the vision test, on top of the standard renewal fee.
Do I need a REAL ID to renew my driver's license in California?
No. A standard driver's license renewal does not require REAL ID. However, if you want a REAL ID-compliant license, you can request one during renewal by providing additional proof of identity and residency. REAL ID is required only for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Online renewals usually arrive within two weeks. Mail-in renewals take two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet. In-person renewals issue a temporary license on the spot, and your permanent license arrives by mail within two weeks.
What if I moved out of California after my license expired?
You cannot renew a California license if you no longer live in California. You must obtain a driver's license from your new state instead. Contact your new state's DMV to learn about their requirements and fees.