r/CaliforniaDMV

Hello,

I am renewing my drivers license and updating it to realID. I want to update my height and weight as well since those are inaccurate on my current DL

Is it possible to do both renewal and updating stats the same time? I appreciate any help

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice after my behind-the-wheel test yesterday because I’m honestly confused about what happened.

My examiner failed me, claiming she had to intervene during the test. However, there is nothing on the score sheet indicating that an intervention or disqualifying action (DQ) occurred. I ended up with a score of 89/100, but still received a failing result.

From the moment she called my name, I felt her attitude toward me was negative. Before we even started, she looked at my instructor’s car (which was clean but had some peeling leather on the seats) and said, “Eww, there’s no way I’m getting into this car. You better clean this out now, or else…” That immediately made me feel uncomfortable. I felt like I was beneath her, the same feeling I got from my husband. I will not go into the ethnicity of them.. but it felt like they were the best.

During the test, she repeatedly gave directions at the last possible second, such as “turn left” or “turn right,” leaving very little time to react. She also had me perform the pull-over and backing maneuver three separate times. When she told me to pull forward, I asked where she wanted me to stop, and her response was, “I don’t know. That’s for you to decide.”

At one point she said, “Emergency lights” twice. I asked, “Did you mean emergency brake?” She replied, “Just listen,” and later marked me down. The communication throughout the test felt confusing.
By that stage, I had completely lost my confidence. She rolled her eyes several times and looked at me with what felt like disgust. My instructor, who is a former California DMV examiner, told me afterward that from the beginning something seemed off and that he didn’t believe I should have failed based on what he observed.
This wasn’t my first difficult experience either.

On a previous test at Fontana, the examiner appeared angry before we even got into the car, made comments that I believed were directed at my ethnicity, and ended the test almost immediately. On another attempt, the examiner fell asleep during the drive and, when I asked for directions because she wasn’t responding, she woke up, said it had been a long day, and failed me.

I’m not saying I’m a perfect driver, and I’m open to the possibility that I made mistakes I didn’t recognize. I’m genuinely trying to improve and have worked very hard to prepare. I’m also not looking for sympathy.
I’m simply asking: Has anyone experienced something similar, or have any advice on what I should do next? Is it worth filing a complaint or requesting a review, or should I just focus on taking the test again?

I appreciate any constructive advice. Thanks for reading.

I went to the DMV on Wednesday (7/1) to replace my ID. Do you think it will come in before July 20th? I’m going on a cruise and need to have it. And no, i don’t have any other forms of identification so I’m heavily relying on it to arrive before then.

Hi everyone, I just received a letter from the CA DMV (Notice of Intent to Cancel California Driver's License) due to alleged "testing irregularities." The letter says my license will be cancelled within 30 days (by late July) unless I retake and pass the knowledge test using the QR code provided.

However, when I scanned the QR code, the earliest available appointment at my local DMV is in August, which is well past the 30-day deadline. The letter explicitly states “Do not contact the DMV directly to schedule your appointment.” > Has anyone dealt with this specific letter before? Should I just walk into a DMV office, or is there a way to expedite this?

I thought the federal safety standard requirement was exempt for 25+ year old cars.

Assume all other requirements are met (particularly smog compliance, ugh...)

If you must know the car, let's just say it's a 2000 Lancer Evolution.

Hello, I was just wondering if I anybody who has taken the knowledge test revaluation, did you have to pay the fee again? Also, what paperwork did you bring, you only need to bring the letter and your DL / permit, right?

Lost personalized plate... this is a plate I already own but am converting it from car to motorcycle.

AAA didn't know how to convert car -> motorcycle while removing a symbol while also converting it to a black plate, so in Oct 2026 I sent the reassignment form to DMV along with a check and a letter explaining what I was asking for.

I received a receipt back in the mail showing that the plate had been ordered, and it showed the correct configuration. The date on that receipt is Oct 9.

Long story short, plate has been MIA. Never received by AAA.

Various DMV chat or phone reps confirmed that the plate was ordered but not assigned, and one was able to tell me that it had not yet shipped, and didn't know why. He went deep into "what car was this last on" and "what day did you sell the car" and "what vehicle is this going on" and "why did the dealer 'sub-plate' your motorcycle instead of giving you the original" [motorcycle was purchased used]. I have no context on why any of this matters. That last call was on June 9 - he said he would open a case for the personalized plate people to review and I should hear back in 5-10 days [Narrator: He didn't hear back.]

Finally called in and got Sacramento to return my call (24 hr turnaround on that). This person could see the case that was opened on June 9th, but said the case was closed because they didn't have proof that it was not received by AAA (I put AAA as the office to ship to....and of course I called AAA before the DMV each time to double-check they didn't have it).

They said I'll have to call AAA and tell them to call the DMV Field Support Helpdesk.

AAA was busy, a supervisor is going to call me back today or tomorrow...

My buddy got his personalized plate in 66 days (it used to be 10+ months during covid, but it's currently 2-4 months. It's been 9 months for me, everyone at the DMV agrees I should have had it by now.)

Good times....

Hi everyone,

I recently took the California DMV knowledge test twice and unfortunately didn't pass.

I know there is a limit of three attempts, but I'm confused about the timing.

Do I need to take my third attempt within a certain number of days or weeks, or can I take it whenever I'm ready as long as my application is still valid?

I'd really appreciate any advice from someone who has been through this. Thank you!

So I am currently 17 years old. I am working on my driver's ed and hope to hold my permit by the end of this month. I know that to schedule a driver's license test for minors, you must hold your permit for at least 6 months. I have heard that if you're 17.5, you do not need to do the required driving hours after your permit, which I believe are 50, and I think 4 of those hours are with a certified driving instructor from a driving school.

So this is what I'm confused about. If I get my permit by the end of this month, once I hold it for 6 months, it will be January, and between those months, I will already be 17.5. In January, would I be able to schedule a DL test as a minor without those driving hours since I would be 17.5? Or do I still need to do those hours to schedule the exam as a minor?

If I do have to, I may as well just wait till I'm 18, cz ill turn 18 in March.

I know this may sound silly, but I'm genuinely confused and trying to figure this out.

(Also sorry, Im really bad at explaining)

I recently lost my DL and applied for a replacement one. The new one....

- Feels extremely thin and like paper. It doesn't even feel solid thick plasticy cardboard that we are used to. I'm not sure if I had it to someone not from CA or US would just laugh at how pathetically cheap it feels

- The font? Its tiny and changed to something barely readable. Im not sure if someone from the font company paid DMV officials or what. The letters are mushed together and the address font size is only readable with a magnifying glass.

Showed it a friend visiting from outside and his first reaction was: Looks fake!

What a joke

I'm trying to apply for the Real ID, and was thinking of college transcript as one of the documents for proof of residency. The requirement says the school document should include "applicant's date of birth."

However, in my transcript, only my birth month and day are shown, and my birth year has been blurred (ex. XXXX-01-01). Is it still an acceptable document?

Today, 6/29/26 I went in to get my real ID. I have a last minute kinda emergency flight coming up on 7/15/26, and I’m hoping I’ll receive it in the mail in time. I forgot you need a real ID to fly now, plus I haven’t flown in a few years and haven’t needed to, or I would’ve gotten my real ID sooner. If anyone could tell me how long it was till they got theirs so I can have an idea?

They ran my proofs through a scanner and I gave it no thought til I got home.

I am overseas and will not be returning to California till the end of year; however I need to renew my registration, which I had planned to do online. But when I try to do this the website tells me that smog check is required and that if I renew now I will receive a notice of "incomplete renewal" in 3 to 4 days. I am not sure exactly what this means or how I should proceed. Obviously I cannot complete the smog check at this time, but I also want to renew my registration in order to avoid late pees. Can I pay the registration fee now in order to avoid late fees, and then take care of the smog check when I return later this year, or what is my best option in this situation?

My California REAL ID driver’s license expires on November, 2026. Has anyone successfully renewed more than 120 days early in person at the DMV, or did they make you wait?

Hi everyone, so I’m currently trying to help my friend get a Id, but he currently has severe agoraphobia and can’t go to a dmv office.. I read online that they offer home visits for people with housebound disabilities. But I’m not sure what that includes.. and I tried asking them on the live chat but they didn’t really give a straight answer.. I was wondering if anyone knew if with a dr’s note proving he really can’t leave, if they would allow it, thanks

Anyone else in a similar boat? Paid off my car late May. DMV told me that both title and new registration card was processed June 6th - as of today (6/26) nothing has arrived in the mail yet. How long did it take you for title to arrive?

I checked with the DMV, they said my rush title was processed on 16th…it’s the 25th. That’s 7 business days. Should I be worried? How long could it possibly take to mail something from Sacramento to Hayward? I could have walked there and back

Edit: for background, I never received my title when I paid it off. I’m trading the car in, and need the title. I’m scared that something is wrong