DMV Extends Expiring Drivers Licenses

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is extending driver licenses expiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Licenses for drivers under 70 that expire between March and May are now valid through May 31, and commercial licenses, endorsements and certificates expiring between March and June will remain valid through June 30.

The extensions align with a recent emergency declaration from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The extension does not include medical certificates for commercial drivers, which requires additional administrative actions scheduled in the near future.

The DMV has alerted California law enforcement of the extensions. Californians with a suspended license are not eligible.

The DMV continues to review and process online renewals, and encourages drivers who are eligible to renew their license online to do so.

The extensions require no individual action on the part of drivers. Drivers will not receive a new card or an extension in the mail. As an option, eligible drivers can request a free temporary paper extension online through DMV’s Virtual Field Office to document their extension.

The Virtual Field Office, virtual.dmv.ca.gov, builds on the other online services already available to DMV customers at dmv.ca.gov, including driver license renewals.

The temporary extensions are in addition to other steps the DMV announced earlier this month to help Californians with expiring licenses, including a 120-day extension for drivers age 70 and older. Drivers age 70 and older with expiring noncommercial licenses are receiving an extension in the mail automatically.

The DMV is also temporarily waiving required in-person renewals for eligible driver license and identification cardholders with expirations in March, April, and May 2020. Individuals who meet the criteria are able to renew online or by mail.