California driver licenses renew every five or ten years depending on your age and status

California driver licenses expire on your birthday. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sends you a renewal notice in the mail 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for it to start the process. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Which method you use depends on your age, how long it has been since your last renewal, and whether you need to update your address or other information.

Most people renew every five years if they are under 70, or every ten years if they are 70 or older. If you are between 62 and 70, you may have renewed for ten years at your last renewal, so check your card to see your actual expiration date. Commercial driver licenses (CDLs) renew every five years regardless of age.

Key Takeaways

  • California lets you renew online if you are under 70, have not renewed by mail in the last 12 years, and do not need to change your address or physical description.
  • Renewing by mail costs less than in-person renewal and takes about two weeks, but you cannot change your address or photo this way.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office takes one to three hours depending on how busy the location is, and you can update your address, photo, and other information on the same day.
  • You will need your current license, proof of California residency, and proof of your legal name if it has changed since your last renewal.
  • If your license has been expired for more than six months, you may need to pass a vision test or written exam even if you renew in person.

Renewing online through the DMV website

The fastest and cheapest way to renew is online at dmv.ca.gov. You can renew this way if you are under 70, your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not renewed by mail in the last 12 years, and you do not need to change your address, name, or photo. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $39 for a five-year renewal or $64 for a ten-year renewal if you are 62 to 69.

You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a debit or credit card to pay the fee. The DMV mails your new license to the address on file, which usually takes two to three weeks. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.

If you are 70 or older, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person or by mail.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available if you are under 70, your license is not suspended or revoked, and you have not renewed by mail in the last 12 years. You cannot change your address, name, or photo by mail. The DMV will send you a renewal notice 60 days before your license expires; you can use that notice to renew, or you can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to request a renewal form.

Complete the form, include a check or money order for $39 (five-year) or $64 (ten-year for ages 62–69), and mail it to the address on the form. Do not send cash. The DMV processes mail renewals in about two weeks, though it may take longer during busy periods. Your new license will arrive by mail.

Keep a copy of your check or money order number in case the DMV does not receive your payment. If your renewal is denied, the DMV will return your payment and send you a letter explaining why.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

In-person renewal is the only option if you are 70 or older, need to change your address or photo, have a suspended or revoked license, or have not renewed in more than 12 years. You can also renew in person if you prefer not to use online or mail renewal. Bring your current license, proof of California residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number.

You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal, but you can book one online at dmv.ca.gov to skip the walk-in line. Walk-in wait times vary by location and time of day; early mornings and weekday afternoons are usually faster than late afternoons or weekends. Bring all documents with you; if you are missing anything, the DMV will not process your renewal that day.

The fee for in-person renewal is $39 for a five-year license or $64 for a ten-year license (ages 62–69). You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The DMV will take a new photo and give you a temporary paper license valid for 60 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.

What to bring and what documents count as proof

For any renewal method, you need your current California driver license. If you are renewing in person or your name has changed since your last renewal, you also need proof of your legal name. This can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or passport.

For in-person renewal, you must show proof of California residency. The DMV accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, bank or credit card statement, or government check dated within the last 60 days. A driver license renewal notice from the DMV also counts. You do not need a separate proof of residency if you are renewing online or by mail, because the DMV already has your address on file.

You do not need to bring your Social Security card, but if you do not have one, bring another document with your Social Security number, such as a tax return or W-2 form. If you do not have your Social Security number, tell the DMV staff when you renew in person; they can process your renewal without it, though it may take longer.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than six months

If your license expired more than six months ago, you are considered to have an expired license rather than a renewal candidate. The DMV may require you to pass a vision test or a written knowledge exam before issuing a new license, even if you renew in person. This is true whether you let it expire by accident or on purpose.

You can take the vision test at any DMV office during your renewal appointment. The written exam is the same test new drivers take; if you fail, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment. If you are concerned about passing the written exam, the DMV website has a free practice test at dmv.ca.gov under "Study for Your Test."

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may also need to provide proof of your legal name and residency even if you renewed recently, because the DMV treats very old expirations as a new process rather than a renewal.

Fees and payment methods

A five-year renewal costs $39. A ten-year renewal costs $64 if you are between 62 and 69 years old. Drivers 70 and older cannot renew for ten years; they renew for five years at a cost of $39. Commercial driver licenses cost more; a five-year CDL renewal is $100 and a ten-year CDL renewal is $160.

You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at any DMV office. For mail renewal, send a check or money order only; do not send cash. For online renewal, you must use a debit or credit card. The DMV does not accept payment plans or partial payments.

Some DMV offices accept payment by phone if you call ahead, but this is not available at all locations. Check your local DMV office's website to see if phone payment is an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my California license if I live out of state?

No. California requires you to renew in person if you have moved out of state, because the DMV needs to verify your residency. If you are a California resident who is temporarily out of state, you can renew online or by mail as long as you meet the other requirements. If you have permanently moved, you should get a driver license in your new state instead.

What if I need to change my address but do not want to renew in person?

You cannot change your address by mail or online renewal. You must renew in person at a DMV office to update your address. Bring proof of your new California residency, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days. You can also change your address without renewing by visiting a DMV office and paying a small fee, though this is separate from the renewal process.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Online and mail renewals take two to three weeks for the DMV to process and mail your new license. In-person renewal is faster; you get a temporary paper license valid for 60 days, and your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you need your new license sooner, ask the DMV staff if you can pick it up in person once it arrives, though not all offices offer this option.

What if I renew but my license arrives with the wrong information?

Contact the DMV when ready at 1-800-777-0133 or visit your local office with your new license and proof of the correct information. The DMV will issue a corrected license at no charge if the error was their mistake. If you provided incorrect information during renewal, you may have to pay a fee to correct it.

Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?

No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation by paying any outstanding fines, completing a required program, or meeting other conditions set by the DMV or a court. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew normally. Contact the DMV to find out what you need to do to clear the suspension.