https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/dmv-gives-1-year-extension-to-senior-drivers-with-expiring-licenses/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2020
July 13, 2020
DMV Gives 1-Year Extension to Senior Drivers with Expiring Licenses
Licenses for drivers 70 and older that expire March through December 2020 now valid until 2021
Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles
is providing an automatic one-year extension to Californians age 70 and older
with a noncommercial driver license with an expiration date between March 1 and
December 31, 2020. This action delays the requirement for this population to
visit a DMV office during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DMV previously provided 120-day extensions to senior drivers with
noncommercial licenses expiring in March through July. While the new extensions
are automatic, drivers will not receive a new card or paper extension in the
mail. As an option, drivers can request a free temporary paper extension online beginning
July 15 through DMV’s Virtual Field Office to document the extension, though it
is not needed to drive. Californians with a suspended license are not
eligible.
California law requires drivers age 70 and older to visit a DMV field
office to renew their license but gives the DMV authority to issue extensions.
The DMV has alerted California law enforcement of the extensions. The TSA
accepts driver licenses for a year after the expiration date.
Commercial licenses, including those for drivers 70 and older, expiring
between March and September are extended through September 30, 2020, to align
with federal guidelines.
The one-year extension for senior drivers is the latest action to help
Californians avoid or delay a DMV office visit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
DMV has issued extensions for expiring driver licenses and permits, expanded
eligibility to renew a driver license or identification card online or by mail,
and created new digital options for transactions that previously required an
in-person office visit. The DMV continues to streamline its processes to limit
the time customers spend at an office. Customers are encouraged to fill out the
online application and upload their documents before they come to the office.
The DMV is also contemplating other ways to safely serve seniors.
Summary of California driver license extensions
Expiration month
|
Status
| |
Age 70 & older (noncommercial)
|
March-December 2020
|
|
Age 69 & younger (noncommercial)
|
March-July 2020
|
|
Commercial (all ages)
|
March-September 2020
|
|
Learner’s permits
|
March-August 2020
|
|
DMV field office employees are assisting customers with appointments at the
specific office or with limited transactions that require an in-person
visit. Last month, offices began offering additional services, including
vehicle inspections and behind-the-wheel drive tests. The DMV continues to
recommend that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and
other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver
license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their
options to complete DMV tasks.
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