Where to renew and what you need before you start
You can renew your California driver's license through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in person, by mail, or online depending on your situation. Most people renew online or by mail if their license is still valid and they have not had a name change or address change outside California. If you need to renew in person, you will visit a DMV office with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of your legal name if it has changed.
The fastest route is usually the DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. You can check there whether you are may be able to access to renew online before you start. If you are not may be able to access online—for example, if your license expired more than five years ago or you need to update your address—the DMV will tell you and direct you to mail-in or in-person renewal instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through dmv.ca.gov takes about 10 minutes and costs $41 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license, paid by debit or credit card.
- You must have a valid email address and your current California driver's license number to start an online renewal.
- Mail-in renewal requires you to fill out Form DL 44 or Form DL 43, include a check or money order, and mail everything to the DMV address listed on the form.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office requires your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and proof of legal name if it has changed.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within 10 to 14 business days after the DMV processes your renewal, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Renewing online through the DMV website
Go to dmv.ca.gov and click "Renew Your Driver License" under the Licenses and Permits section. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will check whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are, you will proceed to answer questions about your current address, medical conditions, and organ donation status.
After you answer the questions, you will upload a new photo or use your existing DMV photo. If you want a new photo, make sure it is taken against a plain background, shows your full face, and is in color. You can take it with your phone. Then you will review your information, pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card, and submit. The DMV will send you a confirmation email with a receipt number.
Your new physical license will arrive by mail in 10 to 14 business days. You can use your current license to drive until the new one arrives. If you need to check the status of your renewal, go back to dmv.ca.gov and enter your receipt number.
Renewing by mail
read Form DL 43 (if your license is not expired) or Form DL 44 (if your license is expired) from dmv.ca.gov. Fill out the form completely, including your current address and any changes to your medical information. Sign and date the form. Do not use a pen that is not black or blue ink.
Write a check or money order for the renewal fee—$41 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license—and make it payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Include your current driver's license number on the check or money order. Place your completed form, payment, and a copy of your current license in an envelope and mail it to the address listed on the form. The address varies by county, so check the form before you mail.
The DMV will process your renewal in the order it arrives. Processing takes about two to three weeks from the date they receive your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail after that. If you have not received your new license within four weeks of mailing, contact the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to check the status.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
Visit your local DMV office with your current driver's license, proof of residency, and proof of your legal name if it has changed. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days of your visit. If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
You will take a new photo at the DMV office and answer questions about your address and medical information. The DMV staff will process your renewal on the spot. You will pay the renewal fee by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Your new license will arrive by mail in 10 to 14 business days.
To avoid a long wait, make an appointment through dmv.ca.gov before you go. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments move faster. You can also find your local DMV office address and hours on the website.
Renewal fees and what they cover
A four-year California driver's license costs $41 to renew. An eight-year license costs $64. These are the standard fees as of now, though the DMV may adjust them. The fee covers the new license card and processing. If you renew online or by mail, you pay by debit card, credit card, check, or money order. If you renew in person, you can also pay in cash.
The renewal fee does not include any additional services. If you need to change your address, update your medical information, or add an organ donation, those changes are included in the renewal at no extra cost. If you need a duplicate license (a replacement for a lost or damaged license), that is a separate transaction with a different fee.
What happens if your license is expired
If your California driver's license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it online. You must renew by mail or in person. The process is the same as a standard renewal, but you will use Form DL 44 instead of Form DL 43 if you are mailing.
If your license expired less than five years ago, you can still renew online if you meet the other requirements. The DMV website will tell you whether you are may be able to access when you start the process. You can drive with an expired license while your renewal is being processed, as long as you have proof that you submitted a renewal request (such as a receipt number from an online renewal or a tracking number from a mailed renewal).
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not forget to update your address if you have moved. If you renew with an old address, your new license will be mailed to that address and you will not receive it. You can update your address during the renewal process online, by mail, or in person.
Do not use pen colors other than black or blue if you are mailing a form. The DMV scans these forms and other colors do not scan clearly, which can delay processing. If you are renewing online or in person, this does not explore.
Do not wait until your license expires to renew. You can renew up to 60 days before your expiration date. Renewing early means you will have your new license before the old one expires and you will not have a gap in your driving privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my California driver's license if I have an out-of-state address now?
No. If you have moved out of California, you must get a driver's license from your new state instead of renewing your California license. You can keep your California license as a form of identification, but you cannot renew it once you no longer live in the state.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Your new license will arrive by mail in 10 to 14 business days after the DMV processes your renewal. Processing time is usually one to three weeks depending on the method you used (online is fastest, mail is slower). You can drive with your current license until the new one arrives.
What if I need a new photo but do not want to go to the DMV?
If you renew online, you can upload a photo you take yourself with your phone. If you renew by mail, you must use your existing DMV photo. If you want a new photo and are mailing your renewal, you will need to renew in person at a DMV office instead.
Do I need an appointment to renew my license in person?
Appointments are not required, but they are strongly recommended. You can make an appointment through dmv.ca.gov and skip the walk-in line. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be long depending on the office and time of day.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You cannot renew a license you do not have. You will need to get a duplicate license first (a replacement for a lost license), then renew it later. Go to a DMV office with proof of identity and residency to get a duplicate. You can do this in person or by mail using Form DL 44.