Goodbye to automatic renewal: This is how your driver’s license is changing in California
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has imposed new requirements for renewing driver's licenses for certain age groups.
For millions of drivers in California, renewing a license has long been a routine task. But for older adults—especially those with a spotty driving record—those days are over.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has introduced a significant change that affects how drivers aged 70 and older renew their licenses. The policy shift targets seniors with recent infractions, making in-person evaluations and additional testing a new part of the process.
Who’s affected by the new DMV rule in California?
This isn’t a blanket rule for all seniors. The change specifically impacts Californians aged 70 or older who meet any of the following conditions within the last two years:
- A DUI (driving under the influence) charge
- A car accident
- Any moving violation on record
If you fall into any of those categories, no matter what age, you’ll now be required to renew your license in person—and that’s just the beginning.
Mandatory testing for older drivers
Under the new regulation, affected seniors must complete a series of health and cognitive assessments at the DMV before they can get their license renewed. These include:
- Vision exams
- Written tests
- Mental and physical evaluations
The goal? To identify conditions that might impair driving ability, such as:
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Cataracts
- Epilepsy
- Alzheimer’s disease
DMV officials say the new approach is a response to the rising number of accidents involving elderly drivers in California.
No more online renewals for this group
One of the biggest changes is the elimination of automatic or online renewals for drivers who fall under the new rules. These people must now go to a DMV office in person, bringing all required documentation.
This ensures that each driver is fully evaluated and meets California’s safety standards behind the wheel.
Always on the go? Let us meet you where you are!
— CA DMV (@CA_DMV) June 13, 2025
We can send your driver's license or ID card renewal notifications to your inbox instead of your mailbox.
Renew where and when you want with just a few clicks at https://t.co/xv5YOa5zkq pic.twitter.com/mb93eeftRu
These changes could affect hundreds of thousands
According to official data, more than 91% of eligible drivers in the U.S. have a valid license. With California being home to one of the largest aging populations in the country, these changes are likely to affect hundreds of thousands of people in the coming years.
For more details and to check if you’re affected, visit the official California DMV website.
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