California driver's license renewal basics
You can renew your California driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Which method works for you depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo or address. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office.
Your license expires on your birthday. California sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, though you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to 60 days before your license expires or up to 6 months after it expires.
The fee for a standard four-year renewal is $36. A two-year renewal costs $24. If you renew online or by mail, you pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. In-person renewals also accept cash.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works if your license is not suspended, you have not changed your address, and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your current license and a completed form to the DMV.
- In-person renewal is necessary if your license is suspended, you need to update your photo, or you changed your address and want it on your new license.
- You can renew up to 60 days before expiration or up to 6 months after it expires, but driving with an expired license is illegal.
- Scammers impersonate the DMV by email and text to steal personal information — the real DMV does not ask for your Social Security number or payment details by email.
Online renewal through the DMV website
Online renewal is the fastest option and works for most people. Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Renew Your Driver License," and follow the steps. You will need your current California driver's license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Online renewal is not available if your license is suspended or revoked, if you have changed your address since your last renewal, if you need a new photo, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). If any of these explore to you, use mail or in-person renewal instead.
After you complete the online form and pay the $36 fee, the DMV mails your new license to the address on file. Delivery takes about two weeks. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.
Mail renewal with a paper form
Mail renewal works if you meet the same conditions as online renewal — your license is valid, your address has not changed, and you do not need a new photo. read form DL 44 from dmv.ca.gov or request it by mail.
Complete the form, sign it, and mail it with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $36 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash by mail. Include a copy of a document that shows your current address if you are concerned the DMV has an old one on file, though this is not required for mail renewal.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your materials. Your new license arrives by mail, and you can continue using your old license until it arrives. Keep track of when you mailed the form so you know when to expect the new license.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
Visit a DMV office if you need to update your photo, if you changed your address and want the new address on your license, or if your license is suspended or revoked. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $36.
Make an appointment through dmv.ca.gov before you go. Walk-ins are accepted but wait times are longer. Appointments are usually available within one to two weeks. The office visit itself takes 15 to 30 minutes once you are called.
Your new license is printed on site, and you receive it before you leave the office. You can drive when ready with the printed license. The physical card arrives by mail within two weeks as a backup.
Address changes and photo updates
If you moved since your last renewal, you must update your address in person or online through a separate process before you renew your license. You cannot change your address by mail renewal. Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Change Your Address" to update it online, or visit an office in person.
If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo. A new photo is required if your current license photo is more than 12 years old, though you can request a new one at any renewal.
If you are renewing in person and want to update your address at the same time, bring proof of your new address. The DMV updates your address and takes a new photo during the same visit.
What to do if your license has already expired
You can still renew your license up to 6 months after it expires. Use the same process — online, mail, or in person — as you would for a license that has not yet expired. However, driving with an expired license is illegal, even if you have started the renewal process.
If your license expired more than 6 months ago, you must take the written test and driving test again. You cannot renew by mail or online. Schedule an appointment at a DMV office and bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The written test covers California traffic laws and takes about 20 minutes. The driving test takes about 30 minutes.
If you let your license expire by more than 6 months, the fee is higher — $36 for the license plus $15 for the written test and $20 for the driving test, totaling $71. Renewing before expiration costs only $36.
Scams and safety warnings
The DMV does not contact you by email or text to ask for your Social Security number, driver's license number, or payment information. If you receive an email or text claiming to be from the DMV and asking for personal details, it is a scam. Do not click links or open attachments.
Scammers also pose as DMV offices on fake websites that look similar to dmv.ca.gov. The real California DMV website is dmv.ca.gov only — no other domain. If you are unsure whether a website is real, type dmv.ca.gov directly into your browser instead of clicking a link from an email or search result.
Third-party renewal services advertise that they can renew your license for you. These services charge fees on top of the DMV fee and offer no speed advantage over renewing yourself online or by mail. Avoid them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is suspended?
No. You must resolve the suspension first. Contact the DMV to find out why your license is suspended — common reasons include unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, or a medical condition. Once you resolve the issue, you can renew in person at a DMV office.
Do I need to take a new photo if I renew online?
No. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
What if I move before my new license arrives?
Your license will be mailed to the address on file when you renewed. If you moved after renewing but before the license arrived, contact the DMV with your new address and they can remail it. You can also pick it up at a DMV office if you provide your renewal confirmation number.
How long is my license valid after I renew it?
A standard renewal is valid for four years from your birthday. A two-year renewal is valid for two years. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your new license.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?
No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a DMV office. You will need to pass a written test and a driving test. Schedule an appointment at dmv.ca.gov.