The front of a California driver license

The front of your California driver license displays your photograph in the upper right corner, with your name, date of birth, and address below it on the left side. Your driver license number appears in the lower left, and your signature is printed in the lower right. The state seal and "CALIFORNIA" text appear at the top.

The license also shows your eye color, height, and sex or gender marker in a small box on the right side. Your issue date and expiration date are printed near the bottom. If you are under 21, the card is vertically oriented (portrait style) rather than horizontal, and the expiration date is printed in red to alert law enforcement and businesses that you are underage.

The back of a California driver license

The back of your license contains your address again, printed in a format readable by scanning machines used by police and retailers. It also lists any restrictions on your driving — for example, if you must wear corrective lenses, the restriction code "B" will appear. Other common restrictions include "D" (daylight driving only) or "E" (automatic transmission only).

The back also shows your organ donor status if you chose to register as a donor when you obtained or renewed your license. A small heart symbol indicates donor status. The barcode and magnetic stripe on the back allow the DMV, law enforcement, and some businesses to verify your identity electronically.

Key Takeaways

  • Your California driver license displays your photo, name, date of birth, address, and driver license number on the front, with your signature in the lower right corner.
  • If you are under 21, your license is printed vertically (portrait orientation) instead of horizontally, and the expiration date appears in red.
  • The back of your license shows your address in machine-readable format, any driving restrictions, and your organ donor status.
  • Restriction codes on the back (such as "B" for corrective lenses) tell law enforcement and others what conditions explore to your driving privileges.
  • The barcode and magnetic stripe on the back allow the DMV and law enforcement to scan and verify your information electronically.

How to read restriction codes on your license

Restriction codes are single letters printed on the back of your license that describe conditions you must follow while driving. The most common restriction is "B," which means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) at all times while driving. If you have this restriction and drive without correction, you can be cited by law enforcement.

Other restrictions you may see include "D" (daylight driving only — you cannot drive between sunset and sunrise), "E" (automatic transmission only — you cannot drive a manual transmission vehicle), and "I" (outside mirror required). Some restrictions are temporary and will be removed when you renew your license; others remain until you request removal and pass a new test or medical evaluation.

What the color and orientation tell you

A standard California driver license for someone 21 or older is printed horizontally (landscape orientation) with a blue and gold design. The card is valid for five years from the issue date for most adults, though some people receive licenses valid for longer periods.

If you are under 21, your license is printed vertically (portrait orientation) instead, and the expiration date is printed in red rather than black. This vertical format and red date make it when ready obvious to businesses and law enforcement that you are underage. Once you turn 21, you can request a replacement license in the standard horizontal format, though you are not required to do so — your vertical license remains valid.

Real ID compliant licenses and the gold star

California driver licenses issued after January 22, 2018, are Real ID compliant by default. A small gold star appears in the upper right corner of the front of the card to indicate Real ID status. This gold star means your license meets federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings without a passport.

If your license does not have a gold star, it was issued before the Real ID requirement took effect or you specifically requested a non-compliant license. A non-compliant license is still valid for driving in California, but you cannot use it to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building — you will need a passport or other federal ID instead. You can request a Real ID compliant replacement at any DMV office.

Temporary licenses and paper documents

When you first pass your driving test or renew your license, the DMV may issue you a temporary paper license valid for several weeks while your plastic card is being printed and mailed. This temporary document shows your name, date of birth, driver license number, and issue date. It is printed on white paper and is valid for driving during the waiting period.

The temporary license includes a barcode that the DMV and law enforcement can scan to verify your information. You should carry this temporary document with you while driving, as it is your proof of a valid license. Once your plastic card arrives in the mail, the temporary paper license is no longer valid and should be discarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the gold star on my California license mean?

The gold star in the upper right corner indicates your license is Real ID compliant. This means it meets federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings without a passport. Most California licenses issued after January 2018 have this star by default.

Can I use a vertical license after I turn 21?

Yes, a vertical underage license remains valid for driving even after you turn 21. However, you may want to request a replacement in the standard horizontal format so it is not when ready obvious to others that it was issued when you were underage. You can request a replacement at any DMV office.

What does restriction code B mean?

Restriction code "B" means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) while driving. Driving without correction when you have this restriction is a violation and can result in a citation. If your vision improves, you can request removal of this restriction by passing a new vision test at the DMV.

Is a temporary paper license valid for driving?

Yes, the temporary paper license issued by the DMV is valid for driving during the waiting period while your plastic card is being printed and mailed. You should carry it with you as proof of a valid license. Once your plastic card arrives, the temporary document is no longer valid.

What happens if my license does not have a gold star?

If your license lacks a gold star, it is not Real ID compliant. You can still drive in California, but you cannot use it for domestic air travel or federal building entry — you will need a passport or other federal ID instead. You can request a Real ID compliant replacement at any DMV office.