(a) Every original driver‘s license expires on the fifth birthday of the applicant following the date of the application for the license.

(b) Renewal of a driver’s license shall be made for a term which expires on the fifth birthday of the applicant following the expiration of the license renewed, if application for renewal is made within six months prior to the expiration of the license to be renewed, or within 90 days after expiration of the license. If renewal is not applied for within 90 days after expiration of the license, the application and fee is considered the same as an application for an original license.

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Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 12816

  • Department: means the Department of Motor Vehicles except, when used in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2100) of Division 2 and in Divisions 11 (commencing with Section 21000), 12 (commencing with Section 24000), 13 (commencing with Section 29000), 14 (commencing with Section 31600), 14. See California Vehicle Code 290
  • driver: is a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. See California Vehicle Code 305

(c) The department may accept application for a renewal of a driver’s license made more than six months prior to the date of expiration. The renewal shall be made for a term which expires on the fifth birthday of the applicant following the date of the application for the renewal license.

(d) The department may accept an application for a license of a different class made more than six months before the expiration of the license previously issued, if the previously issued license is surrendered for cancellation in accordance with Section 13100. The driver’s license issued from that application expires on the fifth birthday of the applicant following the date of the application.

(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (d), the department may adjust the expiration date for any driver’s license issued pursuant to this code.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1043, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1997.)

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