Short answer: Most California drivers, including drivers 70 and older, no longer have to take a written test to renew their license. Since October 1, 2024, the DMV only requires a knowledge test at renewal for drivers with a poor driving record. If you do need one, you can usually take the DMV’s free, open-book eLearning course online instead. Drivers 70 and older still have to visit a DMV office for a vision test and a new photo.
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Start the free test →Do you have to take a written test to renew your license in California?
Usually not. On September 30, 2024, the DMV announced that starting October 1, drivers 70 and older whose licenses expire in 2024 or later no longer have to take the written knowledge test. The DMV also said the test was never required by law for these drivers.
Your renewal notice tells you whether you need to test. When the change took effect in 2024, the DMV said some renewal notices might still say a test was required, and that it would be waived at the office visit unless the driver’s record fell into one of the groups below.
Who still has to take a knowledge test at renewal
The DMV still requires a knowledge test if your driving record shows any of these:
- Two or more accidents in the two years before your license expires
- Three or more accidents in the three years before your license expires
- A DUI suspension in the two years before your license expires
- More than one violation point in the two years before your license expires
First-time drivers and people new to California also must take the knowledge test. If that’s you, start with how to get your permit in California.
Renewal rules for drivers 70 and older
| Requirement | What the DMV says |
|---|---|
| Where to renew | In person at a DMV office. You can start the application online first to save time. |
| How often | Every five years |
| Vision test | Required at the office visit |
| New photo | Taken at the office visit |
| Written test | Only if your record falls into one of the groups above. Check your renewal notice. |
| Fee | $46 for a Class C renewal (as of November 2026) |
If you pay online, allow one business day for your payment to show on your record before you visit the office.
The eLearning course: a no-fail option
If your notice says you need a knowledge test, the DMV recommends its eLearning course. It counts as your knowledge test, and you take it at home.
- Who can use it: Only people renewing a regular (non-commercial) Class C license. Motorcycle (Class M), commercial, and first-time applicants can’t use it.
- How it works: Seven short sections, each followed by a quiz. It is open book, self-paced, and “pass-only, no-fail.”
- How long it takes: About 20 to 30 minutes. You can pause and come back, but you must finish each section before the next one.
- Languages: English, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese (with Mandarin audio).
- Devices: A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet. Work computers, VPNs, and firewalls may block it.
- Time limit: You can take it any time while your application is open, which is one year.
To choose it, fill out the renewal application online. If you qualify, you’ll be invited to the DMV Virtual Test Center, where you pick the eLearning course and pay the fee. You’ll then get an email with the course link. When you finish, your application updates on its own. You still need to visit a DMV office to complete your renewal, and a temporary license is issued only after that visit.
Two cautions. First, if you already processed your application at a DMV office, you must test in the office instead. Second, the DMV is moving eLearning to a new platform. It said courses on the old system had to be finished by November 6, 2026, or progress would be lost, so if you started before then, you may need to start over on the new platform. Check the DMV’s online learning page for the latest.
If you take the written test in the office
You’ll need an appointment. According to the DMV’s senior drivers page:
- The renewal test has 25 questions and is offered in English and many other languages.
- You can ask for the English test in larger print.
- If you take the test in a language other than English, you must also take a traffic signs test.
The DMV’s senior drivers page doesn’t state a passing score for the 25-question renewal test. (For original applicants, the DMV lists 80% to pass and three attempts before you must reapply.) Ask at your appointment if you’re unsure.
The vision test
The DMV’s vision standard is 20/40. If you don’t meet it, you’ll get a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) to take to an eye doctor. If your vision is no worse than 20/70 with both eyes, you may get a 60-day temporary license while you do that. If you still don’t pass after the eye exam, you’ll take a Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation, which is a drive test. Being asked to take a drive test does not automatically mean you’ll lose your license.
How to prepare for a California DMV senior practice test
- Check your renewal notice first. You may not need a test at all.
- Pick eLearning if you can. It’s open book and you can’t fail it.
- If you must test in the office, read the handbook. All knowledge test questions come from the California Driver’s Handbook. Our handbook study guide points you to the key sections.
- Review road signs. Rules and signs may have changed since you last tested. Our road signs cheat sheet covers the common ones.
- Practice. The DMV posts free sample tests on its website. You can also take the free 10-question practice test on our homepage. Our questions are written from the handbook. They are not the actual DMV test questions.
Want to sharpen your driving, too? The DMV’s Mature Driver Improvement Program is an eight-hour course for drivers 55 and older. Your insurance company may offer a discount when you finish it.
Ready to check what you know? Take the free 10-question California permit practice test.
Start the free test →Frequently asked questions
Do seniors have to take a written test to renew a California driver's license?
Usually not. Since October 1, 2024, drivers 70 and older don't have to take the written test unless their driving record shows recent accidents, a DUI suspension, or more than one violation point.
Do drivers over 70 have to renew in person in California?
Yes. Drivers 70 and older renew in person every five years and must take a vision test and get a new photo. You can start the application online first.
Can you fail the DMV eLearning course?
No. The DMV describes it as pass-only and no-fail. It is open book, has seven short sections with quizzes, and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
How many questions are on the California renewal written test?
The DMV's senior drivers page says the renewal test has 25 questions. It doesn't state the passing score for that test.
Who can't use eLearning?
Only non-commercial Class C renewals qualify. Motorcycle, commercial, and first-time applicants must take a regular knowledge test.
What if I fail the vision test at renewal?
You'll get a DL 62 form for an eye doctor to fill out. If your vision is no worse than 20/70 with both eyes, you may get a 60-day temporary license. If you still don't pass, you'll take a drive test.
Sources
- Written Knowledge Test Requirement Eliminated for Most California Driver's License Renewals (DMV news release, Sept. 30, 2024)
- Senior Drivers
- Driver's License Renewal for 70+
- Online Learning and Tests
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 3: The Testing Process
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 13: Seniors and Driving
- Preparing for Knowledge and Drive Tests
- Sample Driver License Knowledge Tests
- Licensing Fees