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DMV Introduces New On-Line Process for Driver License Renewals

California Department of Motor Vehicles
Media Relations Office
2415 First Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95818 		October 6, 2004

SACRAMENTO- In a continuing effort to reduce lines and wait times in offices, as well as offer new, innovative ways to transact business with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the DMV has made it possible for many customers to renew their driver licenses using the DMV Internet Website.

"We're excited about this process because it has the potential of really reducing foot traffic in our offices," said DMV Director Chon Gutierrez. "It's all part of our on-going commitment to remake the department into a more-customer friendly and efficient eDMV.

"We've been promoting on-line vehicle registration for vehicle owners for the past four years, and with the elimination of the $4 fee to use credit cards, Internet transactions have almost doubled," he said. "And now we are excited to add driver license renewal to our on-line services."

The Internet driver license renewal option has been up and running since mid-September, and as of today more than 14,000 have used it successfully-an average of more than 700 per day.

(Note: Any customers who received their renewal notices dated before September 15th still have to renew by mail; those who have notices dated after that date are eligible to renew on-line.)

Gutierrez said that persons who are eligible to renew by mail and have a verified social security number can log on to the DMV Website at www.dmv.ca.gov and follow the prompts. The renewal process can only be initiated when customers receive a license renewal notice from the Department, not before.

Approximately 3 million Californians are eligible to renew by mail each year, but for whatever reason, some 25% of those persons walk into a DMV office to complete the transaction in person. That makes for longer lines and wait times. By providing a secure Internet license renewal alternative, DMV officials hope those persons will choose to go on-line and not stand in line.

And there are good reasons for choosing to use the Internet: customers can use it 24 hours a day/7 days a week, pay by credit cards (not possible in DMV offices) and driver license cards are mailed out on an expedited basis using digital photos already in the DMV database. DMV officials also stress that a number of safeguards to prevent identity theft and fraud have been built into the new Internet renewal process. They include:

  • A secure Internet connection for customers;
  • Customers must have a verified social security number, and be eligible to renew by mail;
  • Four points of identification will be required from customers-driver license number, renewal identification number generated on the renewal notice, the four-digit year of birth and the last four digits of the social security number;
  • No address changes will be allowed;
  • No changes to a customer's physical description will be allowed, and
  • The customer's current driver license photo will be used.

"We really want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to get served quickly, efficiently, and in many cases, electronically," said Director Gutierrez. "That's what eDMV is all about."

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News Media Calls Only: DMV Media Relations Office (916) 657-6437