Document Number On Drivers License California

Applying for a driver’s license or ID to allow time for arrival data processing. Most states and territories use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program to determine a non-citizen’s eligibility for many public benefits, including the issuance of a driver’s license.

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COVID-19 Effects on Licensing Services

  1. Document Number On California Driver License Or A California issued REAL ID driver license or identification card meets these new requirements and is marked with a gold bear and star. It can be used to board a domestic flight within the U.S.
  2. Any driver with a missing or lost driver’s license in CA, or whose driving credential becomes damaged beyond legibility, must replace this documentation as soon as possible. When motorists replace a driver’s license, they also prevent identity theft and other fraudulent uses of their documents.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state DMVs nationwide have closed driver licensing offices, extended license and registration expiration dates, and/or limited the transactions they are processing. Residents are strongly encouraged to use the DMV's online services. Follow the DMV's recent updates for the latest information.

To renew your California driver's license:California
  • Visit the DMV's online services portal.
  • Confirm your information.
  • Pay the $38 renewal fee.
For eligibility requirements and other renewal options, please continue reading below!

CA REAL ID License Update

The California DMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to standard non-compliant driver’s licenses. The REAL ID allows you to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings after October 1, 2021. You can choose to receive either a REAL ID or a standard driver's license—details are outlined below.

Renewing Your CA Driver License

Depending on your eligibility, you can renew your California driver's license:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • By phone.
  • In person.

If you are upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant license, you MUST complete your renewal in person and re-submit your proofs of identity and residency. This will be a one-time event—you won't have to bring these proofs for each renewal.

Below, we'll go through each option.

Online Renewal

You can renew your CA driver's license online if:

  • You are not changing your address.
  • Your Social Security number (SSN) is on file with the California DMV.
  • You are NOT upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant license.

You will need to first register for the CA DMV online services by visiting the registration website.

Once you've registered, log in to renew your driver's license online. You'll need a credit/debit card or your bank account information to pay the $38 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $38 for Class C .

Renewal by Mail

To renew your California driver license by mail, you can either complete:

  • The renewal notice you received in the mail.
    OR
  • A California Driver License Renewal By Mail Eligibility Information form (DL 410 FO).

Note that if you are upgrading to a REAL ID driver's license, you MUST complete your renewal in person.

Mail your completed application and check/money order for the $38 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $38 for Class C (write your license number on your payment) to:

  • Department of Motor Vehicles
  • ATTN: Renewal By Mail Unit
  • P.O. Box 942890
  • Sacramento, CA 94290

Renew by Phone

To renew your California driver's license by phone, call the number on your renewal notice.

You'll need:

  • The Renewal Identification Number (RIN) that appears on your renewal notice.
  • A credit/debit card to pay the $38 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $38 for Class C.

NOTE: Generally, you can renew a REAL ID driver’s license online or by mail, but you might not be able to renew it by phone. Contact the CA DMV if your renewal notice doesn’t give information about renewing a REAL ID by phone.

Renew in Person

Document Number On Driver's License California Practice Test

You must renew your California driver's license in person if:

  • You are 70 years old or older.
  • Your driver license will expire in more than 120 days.
  • Your last 2 renewals were not completed in person.
  • You need to take a written test.
  • You're upgrading from a non-compliant license to a REAL ID driver's license.

Visit a CA DMV office and:

  • Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application.
  • Provide your thumbprint.
  • Have your picture taken.
  • Submit any REAL ID-required documents, if applicable, including:
    • Proof of your Social Security number.
    • 2 documents proving your California residency.
    • 1 document proving your name and birth date.
      • The CA DMV provides a guide to REAL ID-compliant documents.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Pass a written exam, if necessary.
  • Pay the $38 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $38 for Class C.

If you’re upgrading to a REAL ID driver’s license, bring 1 document to meet each proof of identity, Social Security number, and California residency requirement. Refer to the state’s list of acceptable documents.

NOTE: If you are required to take a written knowledge test, you will have up to 3 attempts to pass.

CA Military Members & Out-of-State Residents

Out-of-State CA Residents

Ca Dmv Id Renewal

If you will be out of state when your California driver's license expires, you can request a extension for 1 year for free.

California driver

Before your CA driver's license expires, write a letter requesting the extension and include your:

  • Full name.
  • CA driver license number.
  • Date of birth.
  • California address.
  • Out-of-state address.

Send the letter to:

  • Department of Motor Vehicles
  • P.O. Box 942890
  • Sacramento, CA 94290

Military Members

Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

If you are an active military member, your expired California driver's license will remain valid for 30 days after your honorable discharge, regardless of the expiration date. Your spouse's CA driver's license will also remain valid during this time.

If your California driver license has expired, you need to update your driving record with the CA DMV by calling (916) 657-6525.

You will receive an United States (U.S.) Armed Forces and Foreign Service card (DL 236).

If you are a military member's dependent and your license is expiring, you can either:

  • Request a expiration date extension of 1 year. (See above.)
    OR
  • Renew your CA driver's license by calling (916) 657-6525.

Renewals for Non-U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen with a temporary CA driver's license, you'll need to provide updated birth date and legal presence documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles will mail you extension instructions before your temporary license expires.

Eligibility for CA License Renewal

Your California driver's license expires every 5 years on your birthday.

The CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will mail you a renewal notice about 3 to 4 months before the expiration date.

Depending on your driver's license status (valid, expired, suspended, or lost/damaged), you can renew either:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • By phone.
  • In person.

Looking for your license's mailing status?

To get an update on your license, head to our Status Check page, select 'California,' and choose your method of contact to get in touch with the CA DMV.

Unfortunately, DMV.ORG cannot check the mailing status of your license—checking with your local DMV is the best way to get an update.

To be eligible for online, by phone and by mail renewals, you must:

  • Have a driver license that expires within 120 days.
  • Be less than 70 years old.
  • Not have a suspended license or driving probation.
  • Not have failed to appear in court within the past 2 years.
  • Not made your last 2 renewals by mail.
  • Not hold an out-of-state driver's license.

NOTE: Your California driver's license renewal notice will inform you if you qualify to renew online, by phone, or by mail.

After renewing, you will receive a temporary card valid for 60 days to use until you receive your permanent CA driver's license.

If you don't receive your permanent CA driver license within 60 days, call the CA DMV at (800) 777-0133 to check the status of your renewal.

Valid Driver's License

If you hold a valid driver license, you'll be able to renew it up to:

  • 6 months before your expiration (this drops to 120 days if you plan to renew online).
  • 90 days after your expiration.

NOTE: You can renew in person more than 6 months before your CA driver license expires, but you'll need to submit your current driver's license to the California DMV for cancellation.

Expired, Suspended, or Lost License

Expired Driver's License

You cannot renew your California driver license more than 90 days after it has expired.

You'll need to visit your local CA Department of Motor Vehicle office and complete a new Driver License or Identification Card Application.

Get the form at the CA DMV office, or have the form mailed to you by calling (800) 777-0133.

Suspended Driver's License

If your CA driver license has been suspended, you'll need to reinstate your driving privileges before you can renew it.

For more information, please see our Suspended License in California page.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

If your CA driver license is lost or stolen, you should report it to the CA DMV at (886) 658-5758 or email dlfraud@dmv.ca.gov.

For more information on getting a replacement card, please see our Replacing a Lost License in California page.

If your lost, stolen, or damaged California driver's license is due for renewal, you can renew it instead of applying for a replacement card using the appropriate method listed below.

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Document Number On Drivers License California

Forms

DL 410 FO
California Driver License Renewal by Mail Eligibility Information
Use this form to determine your eligibility for mail-in renewal AND renew your California driver's license by mail (if eligible).

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form
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California driving licenseSUMMARY: California Driver's License for Undocumented Residents

As of January 2015, California residents who cannot establish legal presence in the United States may apply for a driver's license if they can show eligible proof of identification and residency in the state. These driver's licenses may not be used for identification purposes. By law, no one may discriminate against a holder of an AB 60 license, or use this license to attempt to question the holder's citizenship or immigration status.

What is California AB 60?

California Assembly Bill 60 ( AB 60) is a bill passed into law that, in effect, allows undocumented immigrants to the United States to apply for a California driver's license with the CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Previous to this bill, driver's licenses were only issued to California residents who could prove their legal presence in the United States, usually by providing a Social Security number. Per AB 60, a California resident who cannot prove their legal presence in the U.S. can still apply for a driver's license as long as they can prove their identity AND California residency, as well as pass all required tests for an original driver's license.

This is a special driver's license that:

  • May NOT be used for identification purposes.
  • MAY be used to drive anywhere throughout the state of California.
  • Has a distinguishing feature and notice on the front of the license indicating that it is for driving purposes only, per the AB 60 law (i.e. “DP' instead of “DL').
  • Cannot be used against the license holder to determine their immigration status or citizenship, or detain them in any way for reasons other than valid traffic violations.

NOTE: California AB 60 does NOT allow for the issuance of a commercial driver's license (CDL). To obtain a CDL in California, you must still provide a valid Social Security number.

AB 60 Required Eligibility Documents

To be eligible for a California driver's license under AB 60, you must be at least 16 years old, and be able to provide proof of identity AND California residency.

The CA DMV provides a full list of eligible documents:

Proof of Identity

  • 1 document from Table A (see below).
    OR
  • 2 documents from Table B (see below).

TABLE A DOCUMENTS

1 document of primary identification:

  • A previously issued California driver's license or identification card (October 2000 or later).
  • A valid foreign document that can be electronically verified by the DMV with the applicant's country of origin, including:
    • A Mexican passport, issued 2008 or later.
    • A Mexican Consular Card, issued 2006 OR 2014.
    • A Mexican Federal Electoral Card, issued 2013 or later.
  • A valid foreign passport. A full list of acceptable passports can be found here:

If you do not have all of these documents, or the CA DMV determines that they need additional documentation, you may need to undergo a secondary review (see “Secondary Review' below the Table A and Table B document lists).

TABLE B DOCUMENTS

2 documents of identification requited:

  • A valid national identification card from:
    • Argentina – issued 2009 OR 2012
    • Chile – issued 2013
    • El Salvador – issued 2010
    • Peru – issued 2005
    • Guatemala – issued 2012
    • Ecuador – issued 2006 OR 2009
  • A national consular card from:
    • Guatemala – issued 2002 OR 2015
    • Brazil – issued 2010
    • Ecuador – issued 2015
    • Colombia – issued 2015
  • A valid foreign passport:
    • Full list in English
    • Full list in Spanish
Proof of Residency

Residency documents include, but are not limited to:

  • Mortgage bill or rental/lease agreement.
  • Employment documents or pay stub.
  • Utility bills or cell phone bills.
  • Medical documents.
  • School documents.
  • Bank statements.
  • Insurance documents (home, auto, health, dental, etc.)

A full list can be found on the CA DMV website.

Secondary Review

The California Department of Motor Vehicles may require a secondary review of your application. If this happens, you may need to supply them with additional proof of your identity.

Acceptable documents include, but are not limited to:

Document Number On Driver's License California Fornia Online

  • A marriage certificate or divorce decree (translated into English).
  • An original birth certificate or adoption record.
  • Eligible documents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
    • Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal (Form I-589).
    • Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J1) Status (Form DS-2019).
  • Foreign driver's license.
  • Income tax returns.

Apply for an AB 60 Driver's License

To apply for your California driver license under AB 60, you will need to:

  • Make an appointment with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • Sign an affidavit stating that you are ineligible for a Social Security number or similar legal proof of legal presence.
  • Provide the required proof of identification and residency documents.
    • See AB-60 Required Eligibility Documents above.
  • Submit a completed Driver License or Identification Card Application.
  • If you are under 18 years old, provide proof of completion of a CA driver's education program.
  • Pass the following tests:
    • Vision test.
    • Written knowledge exam.
  • Submit your thumbprint and have your photo taken.
  • Pay the applicable licensing fee.*

The California DMV provides practice tests in multiple languages to help you prepare for your written knowledge exam.

Once you pass your test, you may schedule an appointment for an in-car driving exam. This is the final step to obtaining a California driver's license.

* NOTE: Applicants for a driver's license under AB 60 may pay a slightly higher application and renewal fee, effective until June 30, 2017, to offset the costs to the state of implementing this program.

Driver's License Restrictions

The California driver's license under AB 60 is meant to be used for driving purposes only. It CANNOT be used as proof of identification in any way. The license will carry a distinguishing mark indicating that it is an AB 60 license, as well as a message explaining that it is a driving-only license.

Additionally, you may NOT use your CA driver's license to operate any vehicle that is unregistered or uninsured. Whether the car you're driving is your own, or someone else's, it must have a valid registration and California car insurance.