Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2020
Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles is extending driver’s license permits with an expiration date through November 30, 2020, to give student drivers more time to prepare for and schedule their behind-the-wheel drive test during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible permits are extended six months or to a date 24 months from the date of application, whichever is earlier. The DMV previously extended permits expiring between March 1 and August 31, 2020. The DMV has alerted law enforcement of the extensions, which require no individual action on the part of drivers.
The DMV resumed behind-the-wheel drive tests with new health and safety protocols on June 26 and has rescheduled all appointments that had been canceled. The DMV has begun offering appointments for new behind-the-wheel tests at certain offices, but it will take some time to clear the testing backlog. Commercial learner’s permits expiring between March and September have been extended through September 30, 2020, to align with federal guidelines.
Summary of California driver’s license extensions
| Expiration month | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Learner’s permits (noncommercial) | March-November 2020 | Extended six months or to a date 24 months from the date of application |
| Age 69 & younger (noncommercial) | Beginning March 2020 | Expanded eligibility to renew online or by mail for licenses expiring during the emergency |
| Age 70 & older (noncommercial) | March-December 2020 | Extended one year from original expiration date |
| Commercial (all types, all ages) | March-September 2020 | Extended to September 30, 2020 |
DMV field office employees are assisting customers with appointments at the specific office or as time and space permit. The DMV continues to recommend that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.