Beginning August 2021, the DMV began sending electronic renewal notices to eligible customers who opt in who have driver’s licenses expiring in December 2021. Once customers sign in or create a secure DMV online account, they can opt in to receive driver’s license/identification card renewal notices and vehicle registration renewal notices by email. This paperless option simplifies the renewal process by providing a direct link to the online renewal form sign-in page, as well as information about applying for a REAL ID.

The DMV sends out renewal notices about three months before a license expires, typically once every five years.

Vehicle registration renewals are annual. A renewal notice is sent for each vehicle about three months in advance of the renewal date. If you own more than one vehicle and have opted in for each vehicle, you will receive a renewal notice for each eligible vehicle you have opted in for paperless notices.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is offering Californians the option to receive renewal notices by email as part of its ongoing effort to expand digital services and reduce its carbon footprint.

Once customers sign in or create a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov, they can opt in to receive driver’s license/identification card renewal notices and vehicle registration renewal notices by email.

You may opt in at any time to receive renewal notices electronically. Any future renewal notices you request to receive electronically will be emailed to you.

You may opt in at any time to receive renewal notices electronically. Any future renewal notices you request to receive electronically will be emailed to you.

If you sign up today for an electronic driver’s license or identification card renewal notice, you will be emailed your notice the next time your license or identification card is up for renewal.

If you sign up today for an electronic vehicle registration renewal notice, you will be emailed your notice the next time your vehicle registration is up for renewal.

No. Once you sign up to receive your renewal notices by email, you will not be sent paper renewal notices through the mail.

In some cases, you may still receive a paper notice via U.S. Mail if your situation does not align with our paperless notices delivery options.

Paper notices are mailed out 90 days prior to renewal date. If you signed up for paperless e-notices less than 90 days prior to your renewal, you will receive a paper notice in the mail. However, you will receive paperless e-notices for future renewals!

You may log into your account and change your preferences at any time.

If you want to get your renewal notices by email, you will have to sign up. Currently, an electronic email notice is completely optional.

If your email changes you will need to log into your DMV account and change it in order to receive renewal notices at your correct email address.

The DMV implemented the new email notification service with security in mind. Email renewal reminders will not include the full driver’s license number, and the DMV does not share customer email addresses with private companies.