What a California DMV temporary license printout is and when you get one
A California DMV temporary license is a piece of paper you print at home that serves as your legal driving document while you wait for your plastic card to arrive by mail. The DMV issues it to you when ready after you pass your road test or complete your license renewal, and it is valid for the same class of vehicle as your permanent license.
You receive a receipt at the DMV office that includes a barcode and your temporary license information. You take that receipt to any printer — at home, at a library, at a friend's house — scan or photograph the barcode, and print it out. This printout is what you carry in your car. California law treats it as your official license until your plastic card arrives, which typically takes two to three weeks.
The temporary license printout is not optional. If you drive before your plastic license arrives and you do not have the printed temporary license with you, you can be cited for driving without a license, even though you have passed all tests and the DMV has issued you one.
Key Takeaways
- You print your temporary license yourself using the barcode receipt the DMV gives you on the day you pass your road test or renew your license.
- The temporary license is valid when ready and remains valid until your plastic card arrives by mail, usually within two to three weeks.
- You must carry the printed temporary license with you whenever you drive, or you can be stopped and cited for not having proof of licensure.
- If you lose the printout before your plastic card arrives, you can request a replacement temporary license at any DMV office or through the DMV website.
How to print your temporary license from your DMV receipt
On the day you pass your road test or complete your license renewal, the DMV clerk will hand you a receipt. This receipt contains a barcode, your name, your new license number, and the expiration date of your temporary license. Do not throw this away — you need it to print your temporary license.
Take the receipt to any device with a printer and a camera or scanner. Use your phone camera to photograph the barcode clearly, or use a scanner if you have access to one. Open the photo on your computer and print it out on standard white paper. The barcode must be readable — if it is blurry or too small, the printout will not be accepted by law enforcement.
You can also print the receipt itself if it is on paper. Some DMV offices print the temporary license information directly on the receipt; in that case, straightforward print a copy of the receipt and you are done. Either way, the document you carry must include the barcode and your license information clearly visible.
What information appears on your temporary license printout
Your temporary license printout will show your name, date of birth, driver's license number, the class of license you received (such as Class C for regular passenger vehicles), any restrictions or endorsements, and the expiration date of the temporary license. It will also display the barcode that law enforcement scans to verify your information.
The temporary license is valid for the same driving privileges as your permanent plastic card. If you received a Class C license, you can drive any regular passenger vehicle. If you received a Class M for motorcycles, the temporary license covers only motorcycles. Restrictions like corrective lenses or automatic transmission only appear on the temporary license if they appear on your permanent license.
How long your temporary license is valid
Your temporary license printout is valid from the moment you receive it at the DMV until the expiration date printed on it. In most cases, this is 30 days from the date of issue. However, the exact validity period depends on when your plastic card is expected to arrive and when your license class expires.
If your plastic card does not arrive within 30 days, you can request an extension of your temporary license at any DMV office. Bring your receipt and ask for a replacement temporary license. The DMV will issue you another printout valid for an additional period while you wait for the plastic card.
What to do if you lose your temporary license printout
If you lose the printed temporary license before your plastic card arrives, go to any DMV office and tell the clerk you need a replacement temporary license. Bring your receipt if you still have it. The DMV can issue you a new printout on the spot, usually within a few minutes.
If you have also lost your receipt, the DMV can look up your information by your name and date of birth and print a new temporary license for you. You will not have to retake your test or pay a fee. This process is quick and happens at the counter while you wait.
You can also request a replacement temporary license through the California DMV website if you have your license number and date of birth. Some DMV offices allow you to print a replacement at a self-service kiosk in the office lobby without waiting for a clerk.
Carrying and presenting your temporary license while driving
Keep your printed temporary license in your wallet or vehicle at all times while you drive. If you are stopped by law enforcement, hand over the temporary license along with your vehicle registration and proof of insurance, just as you would with a plastic license.
The temporary license printout must be in readable condition. If it is torn, water-damaged, or so faded that the barcode cannot be scanned, you should print a new copy before driving. A law enforcement officer can cite you for not having a valid, readable license even if the DMV has issued you one.
Some officers may not be familiar with temporary license printouts, especially if they work in a different state. If this happens, remain calm and explain that California DMV issues temporary licenses as paper printouts valid until the plastic card arrives. You can offer to show the officer the barcode or your receipt. If you are still cited, you can bring your receipt and the citation to traffic court to have it dismissed.
When your plastic license arrives and what to do with the temporary printout
Your plastic California driver's license card will arrive by mail within two to three weeks of passing your road test or completing your renewal. Once it arrives, the temporary license printout is no longer valid. Destroy the printout and begin carrying your plastic card instead.
If your plastic card does not arrive within four weeks, contact the DMV. You can call the DMV customer service line or visit the DMV website to check the status of your card. If there is a delay, the DMV can issue you another temporary license extension while you wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive before I print my temporary license?
No. You must have the printed temporary license with you in the vehicle. Driving without it, even though you have passed your test and the DMV has issued you a license, can result in a citation for driving without a valid license.
What if my printer is broken and I cannot print the temporary license?
Go to a public library, a friend's house, a copy shop, or any business with a printer and ask to print one page. You can also return to the DMV office and ask them to print a replacement temporary license for you on the spot.
Is the temporary license valid in other states?
Yes. Your California temporary license is recognized as valid in all other states while you are driving. However, once you leave California and your plastic card arrives, you should carry the plastic card instead, as it is the official document.
What if the barcode on my temporary license will not scan?
If the barcode is damaged or unreadable, print a new copy from your receipt. If you cannot print a readable copy, go to any DMV office and request a replacement temporary license. The DMV will issue a new printout with a readable barcode.
Do I need to sign my temporary license printout?
No. The temporary license printout does not require a signature. Your signature is on file with the DMV from when you applied for or renewed your license. The printout is valid as-is.