{"id":254564,"date":"2024-09-30T10:37:30","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T17:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/?page_id=254564"},"modified":"2024-09-30T11:50:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T18:50:27","slug":"written-knowledge-test-requirement-eliminated-for-most-california-drivers-license-renewals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/news-and-media\/news-releases\/written-knowledge-test-requirement-eliminated-for-most-california-drivers-license-renewals\/","title":{"rendered":"Written Knowledge Test Requirement Eliminated for Most California Driver\u2019s License Renewals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657\u20136437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sacramento<\/strong> \u2013 The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that drivers 70-years-old and older in California whose licenses expire in 2024 and beyond will no longer be required to take a written knowledge test beginning October 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAll drivers have been required to take a written test once they turn 70 as a policy requirement and not a requirement of law,\u201d said DMV Director Steve Gordon. \u201cWe are eliminating the written knowledge test for those without traffic violations on their record to improve customer service. If thousands fewer people need to visit the DMV, or can spend less time in an office, the people who need to take care of their business in one of our offices can be better served.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For those renewing their license who are 70 and older, an office visit is still required for a vision exam and an updated photo. Some renewal notices for customers with licenses that expire in 2024 may indicate a knowledge test is required, but it will be waived during the in-office visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DMV encourages customers to start their application online to minimize the amount of time it takes to complete the process in an office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First time drivers and those new to California will still be required to take a knowledge test, as will those renewal customers with poor driving records. Those drivers up for license renewal who have points on their record will be eligible for the eLearning course, available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Drivers whose records meet any of the following conditions are still required to take the knowledge test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n