How to Change or Cancel a California DMV Appointment

How to change your California DMV appointment online or by phone

You can change your California DMV appointment through the same system where you booked it — either online at dmv.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-777-0133. The process takes a few minutes, and you do not need to cancel and rebook separately. If you change your appointment more than 24 hours before your scheduled time, you can pick a new date and location when ready. If you need to change it within 24 hours, you will need to call; the online system locks changes at that point.

Have your driver's license or ID number and your appointment confirmation number ready before you start. If you do not have your confirmation number, the DMV can look up your appointment using your name and date of birth, though this takes longer on the phone.

Key Takeaways

Changes made more than 24 hours before your appointment can be done online at dmv.ca.gov or by phone at 1-800-777-0133.
Changes within 24 hours of your appointment require a phone call; the online system will not allow them.
You will need your driver's license or ID number and your appointment confirmation number to make changes.
If you cannot reach the phone line, you can also change your appointment in person at any DMV office, though this may take longer than calling ahead.
Canceling without rebooking is possible through the same channels, but you should rebook as soon as you know your new availability.

Changing your appointment online at dmv.ca.gov

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Appointments" from the main menu. Click "Manage Your Appointment" and enter your driver's license or ID number and your appointment confirmation number. The system will display your current appointment details.

Select "Change Appointment" and choose a new date and time from the available slots. The calendar shows only dates and times that are open; if you do not see what you need, try searching for a different service type or location. Once you confirm your new appointment, you will receive a new confirmation number by email or text, depending on how you set up your original appointment.

If the online system tells you no appointments are available, this usually means your service type has a wait. You can call 1-800-777-0133 to ask when the next batch of appointments will open, or you can check back online the next day.

Changing your appointment by phone

Call 1-800-777-0133 and follow the prompts to reach the appointment line. Have your driver's license or ID number ready. If you have your confirmation number, the wait time is usually shorter. Tell the representative your current appointment details and the new date and time you want.

The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Wait times are longest between 9 a.m. and noon. If you reach a busy signal, hang up and try again in 15 minutes rather than waiting on hold.

After the representative confirms your new appointment, ask them to email or text your new confirmation number. Write down the new date and time before you hang up in case the confirmation does not arrive when ready.

What happens if you need to change your appointment within 24 hours

The online system at dmv.ca.gov will not allow changes within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment. You must call 1-800-777-0133 instead. The phone representatives can sometimes move your appointment to a later time the same day or to the next available slot, depending on what services are open.

If no appointments are available when you call, the representative can cancel your current appointment and put you on a waitlist for the next opening. This is not ideal, but it is better than missing your appointment and having to start over. Ask the representative to note in your file that you called to reschedule so the DMV knows you did not straightforward skip your appointment.

Canceling your appointment without rebooking

You can cancel through dmv.ca.gov by going to "Manage Your Appointment" and selecting "Cancel Appointment." You can also cancel by phone at 1-800-777-0133. Canceling does not penalize you, but it does free up that slot for someone else, so only cancel if you are certain you will not need the service soon.

If you cancel, you will have to book a new appointment from scratch when you are ready. Depending on the service and your location, this could mean waiting weeks for the next available slot. If you think you might reschedule within a few days, change your appointment instead of canceling.

Changing your appointment in person at a DMV office

You can walk into any California DMV office and ask to change your appointment at the service counter. Bring your driver's license or ID and your appointment confirmation number. The staff can usually change your appointment on the spot, though you may wait 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is.

This option works well if you are already at a DMV office or if you have tried calling and could not get through. It does not work if you want to change your appointment to a different DMV location in a different county — you will need to use the phone or online system for that.

Common reasons appointments get missed and how to avoid them

The most common reason people miss DMV appointments is forgetting the date or time. Write your new appointment date and time in your phone calendar when ready after you change it, and set a reminder for the day before. If you changed your appointment by phone, also write it down on paper in case your confirmation email or text is delayed.

The second common reason is confusion about which DMV office location you are supposed to go to. When you change your appointment, confirm the full address and the office name. Some cities have more than one DMV office, and going to the wrong one will make you late or cause you to miss your appointment entirely.

If you realize you will be late, call the DMV office directly (not the main appointment line) and tell them. Some offices will hold your appointment for 15 to 30 minutes if you call ahead. Look up the direct phone number for your specific office on dmv.ca.gov before your appointment day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my appointment to a different DMV office location?

Yes. When you change your appointment online or by phone, you can select a different office from the location list. Keep in mind that some locations have longer wait times than others, so changing to a different area might mean waiting longer for an available slot.

What if I do not have my confirmation number?

You can still change your appointment by phone at 1-800-777-0133. Give the representative your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. They can look up your appointment in the system, though this takes a few extra minutes.

Do I lose my place in line if I change my appointment?

No. Changing your appointment does not affect your position. You are straightforward moving to a different date and time slot. If you cancel and rebook later, you will start over and may wait longer for the next available slot.

Can I change my appointment the day of my appointment?

Only by phone at 1-800-777-0133, and only if you call before your scheduled time. The online system will not allow same-day changes. Availability for same-day changes is limited and depends on what services are open that day.

What if the DMV website says no appointments are available?

This means all slots for your service type and location are booked. Check back the next day, as new appointments often open in batches. You can also try a different location or service type if your need is flexible. Calling 1-800-777-0133 can tell you when the next appointments are expected to open.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.