(a) In the case of a legal, nonimmigrant driver‘s license applicant, the department shall issue a temporary driver’s license, valid for 90 days, if the applicant has successfully completed the application and the related requirements for the issuance of a driver’s license under this code, including paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 12805. If the United States Department of Homeland Security is unable to verify the applicant’s presence before the temporary driver’s license expires, the department shall, at least 15 days before the temporary driver’s license expires, extend the temporary driver’s license for an additional 120 days and notify the applicant by mail that the temporary driver’s license is being extended.

(b) If the department adjusts the expiration date of any driver’s license issued pursuant to this code so that the date does not exceed the expiration date of a federal document submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 12801.5, the applicant may, upon receipt of a notice of renewal of the driver’s license by the department sent prior to the expiration of the license, request an extension of the term of the driver’s license by submitting to the department satisfactory proof that the applicant’s presence in the United States has been reauthorized or extended under federal law. After verifying that the applicant’s presence in the United States has been reauthorized or extended by federal law, the department shall adjust the expiration date of the driver’s license so that it does not exceed the expiration date of the revised federal document submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 12801.5 and complies with the related requirements of this code.

lawyer at desk

Ask a traffic law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified traffic lawyers.
Parking violations, accidents, DUI/DWI, licensing, registration, and more
Protect your vehicle and your rights with expert legal help now
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 12801.8

  • 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 shall establish a procedure for receiving mailed requests for the extension of driver’s licenses as described in this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 339, Sec. 8. (SB 838) Effective September 13, 2016.)

  Previous section
Next section  
 Article 3 Contents