

On the Road
ON THE ROAD: Driver’s license renewal is your responsibly
Feb. 8, 2015 | Updated 5:39 p.m.
BY RICK DAVIS, CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
Q. Does the Department of Motor Vehicles have responsibility for monitoring renewals for driver’s licenses, then reminding Californians when a license is due for renewal?
Elaine Ladd said she’s unsure how the agency handles renewals. More than that, she has special concerns now in light of increased activity at DMV field offices due to last month’s implementation of Assembly Bill 60 that provides a process for issuing licenses for undocumented workers in the state.
“My driver’s license and my husband’s license will expire in a month or two. And so far we haven’t heard anything from the DMV telling us about renewing them,” the Riverside resident said. “We’re wondering if some people are getting extensions (on expiring licenses) because of everything that’s going on at the DMV?”
A. The bottom line, according to DMV public information officer Artemio Armenta, is this: The burden is on the driver to ensure his or her license is current.
“Ultimately, it’s your responsibility as a driver to make sure your license is current -- not expired,” Armenta wrote in an e-mail.
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In outlining the regulations on driver’s licenses, Armenta noted a license renewal is due every five years and a license’s expiration date (which always is on your birthday) is noted in red type on the front of the license.
However, according to Armenta and also the DMV’s California Driver Handbook (page 14), there is a reminder process that’s keyed to updated addresses for drivers.
“If your address is current (note that, by law, an address change must be filed with the DMV within 10 days of that change), the department will mail a renewal notice indicating a driver may be eligible for automatic renewal by mail or by using the Internet,” Armenta wrote. “Motorists with good driving records typically only have to renew in person at the DMV every 15 years -- or on the third renewal. The Renewal-by-Internet process allows eligible applicants to renew by mail and, if they meet certain other criteria, to renew over the Internet.”
Certain drivers (age 70 and older) are not eligible to renew by mail or Internet, but rather must renew in person at a DMV field office, Armenta added. Appointments (secured by phone at 800-777-0133 or at dmv.ca.gov) are recommended for renewals in person.
What if your renewal license doesn’t show up in the mail? If it isn’t received within 60 days of a completed application, contact the DMV at the above number, Armenta said.
“It is illegal to actually drive with an expired license,” he added. “There are no late fees to renew your license. But while there are no penalties at the DMV, you may be cited by a police officer for driving with an expired license. A driver with a commercial license that’s expired for longer than two years also will need to take a driving test in the type of commercial vehicle that he or she will be driving.”
Q. Interested in getting a set of California’s new Legacy license plates? The DMV recently announced details on this program.
A. The Legislature-approved program will offer license plates that are replicas of those issued in the state in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s with production scheduled to begin as early as September, according to the DMV. Designs of the plates can be viewed at dmv.ca.gov.
Confused about state or local traffic laws? Send questions and concerns, with your name, e-mail address, phone number and city of residence, toontheroad@pe.com. Or phone 951-368-9670.
Contact the writer: ontheroad@pe.com, or 951-368-9670
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******Note that you can get late fees in Riverside, CA or penalties for beGan late in renewing your Driver license ... And you need the letter they sent in the mail to rapidly and automatically renew your Driver License. . As well to know how much your renewal fee amount. .. I been waiting for mine and nothing .. mone is due may 5 th... so stay sharp people .... says Aye Sarita*****
List of fees for California DMV as stated on there website :
