Where to Renew in Los Angeles County
You can renew your California driver license at any DMV office in Los Angeles County, but you do not have to visit in person. The California Department of Motor Vehicles allows most drivers to renew by mail or online through their website, which is faster and requires no appointment. If you must visit an office, the largest and busiest locations are in downtown Los Angeles, Van Nuys, and Long Beach — all require you to make an appointment through the DMV website or by calling 1-800-777-0133.
Online renewal is available if your license is not suspended, you have not had a vision or medical restriction added since your last renewal, and your license expires more than 60 days from now. Mail renewal takes about two weeks and costs the same as online. In-person renewal at a DMV office typically takes 30 to 45 minutes once you are called, but wait times to be seen can be several hours even with an appointment.
Key Takeaways
- California driver licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew online or by mail starting 60 days before expiration without visiting a DMV office.
- Online renewal costs $39 for a four-year license and takes about 10 minutes; you will receive your new license by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If you cannot renew online, you must visit a DMV office in Los Angeles County with a completed DL 44 form, proof of residency, and your current license.
- In-person appointments are required at all Los Angeles County DMV offices and must be booked through the DMV website or by phone.
- If your license has expired more than five years, you cannot renew by mail or online and must take a written test and vision test at a DMV office.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Route
Online renewal through the California DMV website is the quickest option if you meet the requirements. You must have a valid email address, a debit or credit card for payment, and access to a camera or scanner to upload a new photo. The fee is $39 for a four-year renewal. You will need your current driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start.
The process takes about 10 minutes. You will answer questions about your address, medical history, and driving record. You will upload a digital photo that meets DMV standards — a plain background, no sunglasses, and your face clearly visible. Once you submit, the DMV processes your process within 24 hours. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal is not available if your license has been suspended, if you have added restrictions since your last renewal, if you are renewing a commercial license, or if your license expired more than five years ago. If any of these explore, you must renew in person or by mail.
Mail Renewal: No Appointment Needed
Mail renewal takes longer than online but requires no appointment and no visit to a DMV office. You will need to complete the DL 44 form (process for California Driver License), which you can read from the DMV website or pick up at any DMV office. You will also need a new photo — either a digital photo you print yourself or a photo taken at a DMV office or approved vendor.
Mail your completed DL 44 form, your current driver license, a new photo, and a check or money order for $39 to the DMV address listed on the form. The address depends on your county of residence. For Los Angeles County, mail to: DMV, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001. Include a return envelope with postage. Processing takes about two weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail.
Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your license cannot have been suspended, you cannot have added medical or vision restrictions, and your license cannot have expired more than five years ago. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 before mailing your documents.
In-Person Renewal at a Los Angeles DMV Office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if it has been suspended, or if you have added medical or vision restrictions. You will also need to renew in person if you are changing your name or address and want to update your license when ready rather than waiting for mail delivery.
Book an appointment through the California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov) or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Walk-ins are not accepted at any Los Angeles County DMV office. The largest offices with the most available appointments are in downtown Los Angeles (2415 W. 6th Street), Van Nuys (14600 Vanowen Street), and Long Beach (2640 N. Lakewood Boulevard). Appointments typically fill 4 to 6 weeks in advance, especially near the end of the month.
Bring your current driver license, a completed DL 44 form, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and a new photo. The fee is $39 for a four-year renewal. The DMV will take your photo at the office if you do not bring one. You will pass a vision test and answer questions about your medical history. Once approved, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 60 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Documents You Need for Any Renewal Method
The documents required depend on whether you are renewing online, by mail, or in person. For online renewal, you need only your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. For mail or in-person renewal, you need more.
| Renewal Method | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Online | Current license number; last four digits of Social Security number; email address; debit or credit card |
| Completed DL 44 form; current license; new photo; check or money order for $39 | |
| In-Person | Current license; completed DL 44 form; proof of residency (dated within 60 days); new photo or allow DMV to take one; $39 fee (cash, check, or card) |
Proof of residency must show your current Los Angeles County address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance policy, or government mail. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A driver license or ID card from another state does not count as proof of residency.
Fees and Processing Times
The renewal fee is $39 for a four-year driver license, regardless of whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. This fee covers the license itself and processing. There are no additional charges unless you request a duplicate license or add a Real ID designation.
Processing times vary by method. Online renewal is processed within 24 hours, and your license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet. In-person renewal is completed the same day — you will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license sooner, you can request a duplicate at any DMV office for an additional $20.
Your current license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue driving during the processing period. If your license expires before your new one arrives, contact the DMV when ready — this is rare but can happen if mail is delayed.
When You Cannot Renew by Mail or Online
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a DMV office in person, take a written knowledge test, pass a vision test, and provide proof of residency. This is treated as a new process rather than a renewal, and the process is longer.
You also cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you have added medical or vision restrictions since your last renewal, or if you are renewing a commercial driver license. If any of these explore, book an in-person appointment at a Los Angeles County DMV office. Call 1-800-777-0133 or visit dmv.ca.gov to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes, but the method depends on how long ago it expired. If it expired less than five years ago, you can renew by mail or online using the same process as a current license. If it expired more than five years ago, you must visit a DMV office in person and take a written test and vision test.
How do I upload a photo for online renewal?
You can use a smartphone camera or scanner to take or scan a photo that meets DMV standards: plain background, no sunglasses, face clearly visible, and taken within the last six months. The photo must be in color and at least 2 inches by 2 inches. Upload it as a JPG or PNG file through the DMV website during the online renewal process.
What if I move out of Los Angeles County after renewing?
Your California driver license is valid statewide and does not need to be updated if you move within California. If you move to another state, you will need to obtain a driver license from that state. You do not need to notify the California DMV of an out-of-state move.
Can I renew my license before the 60-day window?
No, the DMV will not process an online or mail renewal until 60 days before your license expires. If you need to renew early, you must visit a DMV office in person. Call 1-800-777-0133 to book an appointment.
What happens if I forget to renew and my license expires?
Driving with an expired license is illegal in California. If your license expired less than five years ago, renew when ready by mail or online. If it expired more than five years ago, visit a DMV office in person. You can continue driving to the DMV office to renew, but you should not drive for any other purpose.