Renewing Your License

Ways to Renew

Renewing your California driver license is easy, with the Department of Motor Vehicles offering several convenient options:

• In person at your local DMV office

• By mail

• Online

Renewals cost $27 for Class C, Class M1/M2 (motorcycle), and noncommercial Class A licenses and are valid for four years. (See Commercial Drivers on how to renew a commercial driver license.)

Renewing in Person

If your renewal notice instructs you to renew in person, make an appointment.

DMV Form 44, the Driver License or Identification Card Application must be filled out. The form's not online, but you can pick one up at any DMV office or call (800) 777-0133 (24/7) to have one mailed to you.

In person, expect to:

• Give a thumbprint.

• Have your picture taken.

• Take a vision exam.

• Some renewal applicants will be required to take a short written exam (your notice will say so).

• Pay the renewal fee of $27 with cash, check, or ATM card (in some branches). DMV offices don't take credit cards.

The DMV will give you a 60-day interim license and send your new one in the mail. If you don't receive it within 60 days, call (800) 777-0133. This automated line also answers general questions about license renewal and other things DMV-related.

Renewing by Mail

The California DMV allows you to renew your driver license by mail if all of the following apply:

• Your license expires in 60 days or less.

• You will be 69 years old or younger when your current license expires.

• You are not currently under a driving probation or suspension.

• You have renewed by mail only twice in a row.

The DMV will send you a renewal notice to return by mail, with payment. If you haven't received a notice to renew by mail, complete the DMV's California Driver License Renewal by Mail Eligibility Information form. Send this and the appropriate fee to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• ATTN: Renewal by Mail Unit

• P.O. Box 942890

• Sacramento, CA 94290-0001

Renewing Online

Offering the ultimate convenience, the California DMV allows certain driver license holders to take advantage of online renewal.

To use online renewal:

• Your renewal notice must display a RIN.

• Your address and physical description must not have changed.

• Your verified Social Security number must be on record with the DMV.

• You must be able to pay the $27 renewal fee by credit card.

Online renewal speeds up the process; expect to receive your new license in about two weeks.

The DMV offers a comprehensive online renewal FAQ page that talks about renewing your license over the Internet.

ID Card Renewals

If you need to renew your California state ID card, see our section called Applying for an ID in California.

Military Personnel

Each state’s motor vehicle agency will have different renewal policies for drivers in the military. Please proceed to our Drivers in the Military page to find out how to handle your license renewal while you are stationed out of state.