Driver's licenses and REAL ID
License renewal timelines, online renewal, and exactly which documents California asks for when you upgrade to a REAL ID.
Statewide guides
How to Renew a California Driver's License
How to renew a California driver's license online or in person: who qualifies online, the fee, rules for drivers 70 and older, and when a test applies.
Driver's licenses and REAL IDREAL ID in California: Documents You Need
What a California REAL ID is, whether you need one to fly after May 7, 2025, the documents DMV requires, and how to apply online then finish in person.
Driver's licenses and REAL ID at a glance
These guides cover renewing a California driver's license, online or in person, and the documents you need to upgrade to a REAL ID. We're an independent guide, so always renew or apply on the official site, dmv.ca.gov.
| Item | Rule | Guide link |
|---|---|---|
| Online renewal window | From 90 days before to 12 months after your expiration date, if you qualify | Renew your license |
| Renewal fee | $46 for a Class C license, with no extra late fee | Renew your license |
| Drivers 70 and older | Must renew in person every five years | Renew your license |
| Temporary license | Valid for 60 days after an office visit | Renew your license |
| Flying within the U.S. | REAL ID or another accepted ID required since May 7, 2025 | REAL ID documents |
| REAL ID documents | One proof of identity (original or certified copy, no photocopies) and two different printed documents showing your California address | REAL ID documents |
Where to start
- If you need to renew your license online or in person, or check the fee, the written test or the rules for drivers 70 and older, read how to renew a California driver's license.
- If you need to know whether you need a REAL ID to fly, or which documents to bring to the DMV, read REAL ID in California: documents you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a REAL ID to fly?
Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID or another federally accepted ID to board a domestic flight. A U.S. passport, passport card or military ID also works.
A California REAL ID is optional. If you have one of those other IDs, you don't need it to fly.
Can I get a REAL ID when I renew my license?
Yes, but not fully online if it's your first REAL ID. Start the application online and upload your documents. Then visit a DMV office with your original documents and your confirmation code.
Do I have to take a written test to renew my license?
Most drivers don't. Since October 1, 2024, DMV no longer requires the written knowledge test for most renewals by drivers without traffic violations.
A test may still apply if your record shows, for example, two or more accidents or a DUI suspension in the two years before expiration.