Reschedule Your California DMV Appointment Online or by Phone

You can reschedule a California DMV appointment through the DMV's online system or by calling their appointment line. The online method is fastest — you log in with your driver's license or ID number and the phone number on file, then pick a new date and time from available slots. If you cannot reach the online system or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the DMV appointment line at 1-800-777-0133.

You must reschedule before your current appointment date. If you miss your appointment without rescheduling, you may lose your spot and have to book a new one, which can add weeks to your wait time depending on your location and the service you need.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to reschedule is through the DMV's online appointment system using your driver's license or ID number and phone number.
  • You can also call 1-800-777-0133 to reschedule by phone, though wait times to reach someone can be long during business hours.
  • Rescheduling must happen before your current appointment date or you risk losing your spot entirely.
  • When you reschedule, your new appointment will replace the old one — you do not need to cancel the original separately.
  • Some services like written tests and behind-the-wheel exams have limited appointment slots, so available dates may be weeks out depending on your county.

Using the Online Appointment System

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Appointments" from the main menu. Click "Reschedule an Appointment." You will be asked to enter your driver's license or ID number and the phone number associated with your DMV record. The system will pull up your current appointment and show you available dates and times at your location or nearby locations.

Select the new date and time that works for you. The system will confirm the change when ready and send a confirmation to the phone number on file. Write down your new appointment number or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have to reschedule again or if there is a question about your appointment.

If the online system shows no available appointments, it means your local DMV office has no open slots for that service at this time. In that case, you can try searching for appointments at a different DMV location in your county or a nearby county, or you can call 1-800-777-0133 to be placed on a waitlist.

Calling the DMV Appointment Line

Call 1-800-777-0133 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Have your driver's license or ID number ready, along with your current appointment number if you have it. The wait time to reach someone can be 30 minutes or longer during peak hours, especially mid-morning and early afternoon.

When you reach a representative, tell them you want to reschedule and provide your appointment number. They will look up your current appointment and offer you available dates and times. Confirm the new date and time, and ask them to repeat it back to you before you hang up. They will send a confirmation to your phone number on file.

If you cannot reach anyone after several attempts, try calling early in the morning when you first open the line, or try the online system instead. The phone line is often less busy before 9 a.m.

What Happens If You Miss Your Appointment

If you do not show up for your appointment and do not reschedule beforehand, your appointment slot is released back into the system. You will have to book a new appointment from scratch, which means starting over in the queue. Depending on your county and the service you need, this could mean waiting several weeks or months for the next available slot.

If you realize you will miss your appointment on the day it is scheduled, call 1-800-777-0133 as soon as possible to reschedule. Even a same-day reschedule is better than not showing up, because you keep your place in the system rather than losing it entirely.

Rescheduling for Different Services

The process is the same whether you are rescheduling a written test, behind-the-wheel exam, license renewal, or other DMV service. However, the availability of appointments varies by service and location. Written tests and behind-the-wheel exams typically have fewer open slots than routine transactions like address changes or license renewals, so you may see fewer date options when you reschedule.

If you are rescheduling a behind-the-wheel exam and need to reschedule more than once, note that some counties have rules about how many times you can reschedule without taking the test. Check your appointment confirmation or call the DMV to confirm whether there are limits in your county.

Rescheduling at a Different DMV Location

You can reschedule your appointment to a different DMV office in California, but only if that office offers the service you need. Not all DMV locations offer all services — for example, some smaller offices do not administer behind-the-wheel exams. When you reschedule online or by phone, the system will show you which nearby locations have availability for your specific service.

Switching to a different location can sometimes give you earlier appointment dates, especially if your original location is in a busy urban area. If your current appointment is weeks away and you are willing to travel to a less busy county, you may find slots that are available sooner.

Common Reasons Rescheduling Fails

The most common reason people cannot reschedule online is that they enter their phone number incorrectly. The system uses the phone number on file with the DMV, which may not be your current number if you have not updated your record. If the online system rejects your information, call 1-800-777-0133 instead and ask the representative to verify the phone number in your file.

Another common issue is that the online system times out if you take too long to select a new date. If this happens, start over and move quickly through the steps. If you keep getting timed out, use the phone line instead.

If you see a message that says "no appointments available," it does not mean you cannot reschedule — it means your specific DMV location has no open slots for your service right now. Try searching at a different location, or call the appointment line to ask about waitlist options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my appointment the day before or the day of?

Yes, you can reschedule any time before your appointment is scheduled to start. If you reschedule the day before or the morning of, you may have fewer available slots to choose from, but the system will still show you what is open. Call 1-800-777-0133 if you need to reschedule on the same day and the online system is not working.

Do I have to reschedule at the same DMV location?

No. When you reschedule, you can choose a different DMV office if that location offers your service. The online system and phone representatives will show you available slots at nearby locations. Switching locations can sometimes get you an earlier appointment.

What if I reschedule and then need to reschedule again?

You can reschedule as many times as you need before your appointment date. Use the same process — online or by phone — and your new appointment will replace the previous one. Keep track of your current appointment number so you can reference it if you call.

Will rescheduling cost me anything?

No. Rescheduling your appointment is free. You only pay DMV fees when you actually complete your transaction at the appointment.

What if the online system says my appointment does not exist?

This usually means the phone number or ID number you entered does not match what is in the DMV system. Call 1-800-777-0133 and provide your appointment number, driver's license number, and the phone number you think is on file. The representative can look up your appointment and reschedule it for you.