With the aim of speeding up the renewal process and reducing the administrative burden associated with this procedure, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has implemented a new regulation through which a group of drivers does not have to take the written driving test to renew their driver’s license. Those exempt from taking the written test are drivers with a clean record, no points or violations, and who have demonstrated responsible driving.
However, they are not exempt from taking vision tests and will still have to pay the corresponding renewal fees. Renewal can be done online, by mail, or in person for those who do not have internet access. It is worth noting that the reasons the DMV can revoke a driver’s license include driving under the influence, not paying a traffic fine, accumulating too many points, or not having a car insurance.
Time to renew your driver’s license
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has implemented a new regulation, through which drivers with a clean record do not have to take the written test when renewing their driver’s license. This initiative responds to the need to reduce the administrative burden associated with this type of process and to streamline the renewal process. The requirements that must be met according to the DMV to avoid taking the computer-based written test for the driver’s license are:
- Having a clean record. The driver’s license must be current and valid, without any serious violations in the past five years.
- Not having accumulated points. It is required that no points have been accumulated on the driving record during the same period, that is, five years.
- Not having had accidents with injuries. The driver must have been responsible for causing accidents in which other people were injured.
How to renew a driver’s license?
It is important to emphasize that, even though you do not have to take the written test, drivers with a clean record will still have to pay the renewal fees corresponding to this type of procedure, as well as undergo a vision test, which is common to all drivers. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers drivers three ways to renew their driver’s license:
- Online renewal. Drivers can complete the renewal online through the official DMW website. This saves time and effort and speeds up the process without having to visit a physical office.
- Renewal by mail. This option involves the driver filling out the appropriate form and sending it by mail along with the payment of the required fees.
- In-person renewal. This option meets the needs of those who do not have internet access or who prefer personal interaction with the DMW office.
Driver’s License Suspension in California
There are key reasons why the DMV can directly suspend a driver’s license. Some of the most common are:
- Serious violations. This includes being responsible for serious accidents or committing crimes such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Not paying traffic fines. Refusing to comply with court rulings related to traffic violations or failing to pay the corresponding fines could result in the revocation and suspension of the license.
- Not having driving insurance. Driving without valid insurance can also lead to the loss of your license.
It is important that drivers know this information to avoid unnecessary license suspensions and to practice responsible driving. Despite offering the possibility of renewing the license online, the California DMV requires drivers over the age of 70 to renew their driver’s license in person at the offices. Discover here the reasons why.