You can renew your expired California license by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office
California lets you renew an expired license through three routes: mail, the DMV website, or a visit to a local DMV office. Which one you can use depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you need to update your photo. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you have the most options. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
The fastest route for most people is online renewal through the California DMV website, which takes about 10 minutes and produces a temporary digital license you can use right away while you wait for the physical card. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DMV office can be done the same day but requires an appointment, which may be weeks out depending on your location.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the California DMV website works if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal is an option for licenses expired fewer than five years ago; send your renewal notice and payment to the address listed on the notice.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license expired more than five years ago, and you must book an appointment in advance.
- You will need your current or expired license, proof of residency, and payment (currently $64 for a standard five-year renewal) for any renewal method.
- A temporary digital license appears in your wallet app when ready after online renewal, so you can drive legally while waiting for the physical card.
Online renewal through the California DMV website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You can renew online if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you are between 18 and 70 years old, and you do not need to change your photo, address, or name. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, date of birth, and a payment method (debit or credit card).
Go to the California DMV website, select "Renew Your Driver's License," and follow the prompts. The entire process takes about 10 minutes. Once you complete it, a temporary digital license will appear in your Apple Wallet or Google Pay within minutes. You can use this digital license to drive legally right away. Your physical renewal card will arrive by mail in about two to three weeks.
The cost is $64 for a standard five-year renewal. If you are 70 or older, the renewal is free, but you must renew in person or by mail instead of online.
Mail renewal for expired licenses
Mail renewal works if your license expired fewer than five years ago. You do not need to visit a DMV office or go online. Instead, you should have received a renewal notice in the mail before your license expired. If you have that notice, you can send it back with your payment and your current or expired license.
Write a check or money order for $64 and mail everything to the address printed on your renewal notice. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your proof of residency (a recent utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement showing your current address). Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your packet.
If you did not receive a renewal notice or have lost it, you can request one by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or by visiting a local DMV office. Without the notice, you cannot use mail renewal.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago. You will also need to come in person if you want to update your photo, change your address or name, or if you are 70 or older. In-person renewal requires an appointment, which you can book through the California DMV website.
Bring your expired or current license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $64. If you are changing your address, bring documents showing your new address. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, court order, or similar).
Appointments at DMV offices vary by location. Some offices have openings within days; others may be weeks out. Book as soon as you know you need to renew. Walk-ins are not accepted at most offices, so do not show up without an appointment.
What documents and payment you need
For any renewal method, you will need your current or expired California driver's license and proof of residency. Proof of residency must be a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, insurance policy, or government mail.
Payment is $64 for a standard five-year renewal. If you are renewing online or by mail, pay by debit or credit card (online) or check or money order (mail). Do not send cash by mail. At a DMV office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
If you are renewing after age 70, the renewal is free, but you must renew in person or by mail. If you need a new photo (because your license expired more than eight years ago or you want to update it), you must renew in person.
How long it takes to get your renewed license
Online renewal is the fastest: your temporary digital license appears in your wallet app within minutes, and your physical card arrives by mail in two to three weeks. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your packet, plus a few days for mail delivery. In-person renewal is completed the same day you visit the office, and you receive a temporary paper license to use while you wait for the physical card to arrive by mail.
If you need to drive before your physical card arrives, use your temporary digital license (from online renewal) or temporary paper license (from in-person renewal). Both are legal to carry and use. Your physical card will have an expiration date five years from the date of renewal.
Renewing a license expired more than five years ago
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must visit a DMV office in person. The process is the same as in-person renewal for a current license, but you will need to bring the same documents: your expired license, proof of residency, and payment.
Because your license has been expired for a long time, the DMV will require a new photo. You cannot keep your old photo. Bring a clear, recent photo of yourself if you prefer, or the DMV will take one for you at the office. Book an appointment through the California DMV website before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my renewal?
No, you cannot drive with an expired license. However, if you renew online, you get a temporary digital license in your wallet app right away, which is legal to use. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license the same day. Both allow you to drive legally while you wait for your physical card.
What if I lost my expired license and do not have it?
You can still renew without it. Bring your proof of residency and payment to a DMV office, and tell them your license is lost. They will look up your record and process your renewal. You cannot renew by mail or online without your license number, so you must go in person.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
Yes. Walk-ins are not accepted at most California DMV offices. Book an appointment through the California DMV website before you visit. Appointments fill up quickly, especially in busy areas, so book as soon as you know you need to renew.
Can I renew online if I want to change my address?
No. Online renewal only works if you are not changing your address, name, or photo. If you need to update your address, you must renew by mail or in person. In-person renewal is faster if you need to make changes.
How much does it cost to renew my California license?
A standard five-year renewal costs $64. If you are 70 or older, renewal is free, but you must renew by mail or in person. The cost is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.