Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2020
Temporary waiver allows licenses for drivers 70 and older to be renewed without an office visit
Sacramento – Californians age 70 and older with a noncommercial driver’s license are now eligible to renew online or by mail, eliminating the need to visit a California Department of Motor Vehicles office. Licenses with an expiration date between March 1, 2020, throughout the COVID-19 emergency are eligible.
Through Executive Order, Governor Gavin Newsom has temporarily waived the California law requiring drivers age 70 and older to visit a DMV field office to renew their license for the length of California’s State of Emergency or until modified. The DMV is completing the programming necessary so customers who meet the criteria will be able to complete their renewal online beginning December 6.
Nearly all California drivers are now eligible to renew their license online or by mail – even if their renewal notice states an office visit is required.
The DMV previously provided yearlong extensions to senior drivers with noncommercial licenses expiring in March through December 2020. Those who received the extensions are eligible to renew online.
Commercial licenses, including those for drivers 70 and older, expiring between March and December are extended through December 2020, to align with federal guidelines.
The DMV previously expanded eligibility for drivers 69 and under to renew online, even if their DMV notification states they must come to an office.
Summary of California driver’s license extensions
| Expiration month | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 70 & older (noncommercial) Age 69 & younger (noncommercial) | Beginning March 2020 | Expanded eligibility to renew online or by mail for licenses expiring during the emergency |
| Commercial (all types, all ages) | March-December 2020 | Extended to December 31, 2020 |
| Learner’s permits (noncommercial) | March-November 2020 | Extended six months or to a date 24 months from the date of application |
The ability for senior drivers to renew online is the latest action to help Californians avoid or delay a DMV office visit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DMV continues to streamline its processes to limit the time customers spend at an office. Customers applying for a REAL ID are encouraged to fill out the online application and upload the required documents before they come to the office for expedited service.
The DMV continues to recommend that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.