Passing your driving test and getting our driver’s license is one of the most important societal rites of passage. Although most people do it at 16 years old it seems to be the first step to becoming an adult and gaining independence, as it also allows for most people to get a job and start thinking about the future, but it is not a one time thing. It needs to be periodically renewed to make sure that you are up to date not just with traffic laws, but also with the necessary conditions to drive, and that can require retaking a written test. However, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is changing this provision and is allowing some of the drivers in the state to maybe circumvent this legal requirement.
Of course, not everyone will be able to circumvent the written test, and there will be plenty of people that will still need to take it in order to renew their license or get a California driver’s license, like for example, anyone coming from out of state or from a foreign country. But if you already hold a California license and meet some criteria, you might be able to speed up the process and avoid having to go through the entire process again.
What California drivers need to do to avoid retaking the written exam to renew their driver’s license
Well, it is mostly to have been a responsible driver. Those who have in their possession a valid driver’s license, have not committed any serious traffic violations in the past five years, have not accumulated points on their driving record during the same period and have not been responsible for traffic accidents resulting in injuries will be able to skip the written test. Since this measure will reduce the amount of people that will need to retake it, it will ease the administrative burden for both citizens and the government and be a nice reward for those who manage to follow the rules.
While this might sound good and it is, especially if you meet the criteria, it is still important that if you are a driver in the state you keep yourself up to date with traffic regulations that might impact you, not just to maintain a clean driving record for pride, but also to ensure that you are safe on the road. When rules are updated, there is usually a reason and neglecting to know the updated rules will not help your case on the next renewal or if you get in an entirely preventable accident. The regulations for the state are compiled in the California Driver’s Manual, so be sure to give it a refresh every once in a while.
While this new rule sounds good, if the California DMV does not see positive results or notices any uptick in accidents or issues, they will reassess the situation, so be sure to not be one of the causes, as the renewal process will be a lot more convenient for most people. If you need to renew your license now, you may do so in a few ways:
- Online: Through the official DMV portal, drivers can complete the renewal process quickly and easily, without having to visit a physical office.
- By mail: By submitting the corresponding renewal forms along with payment of the established fees. This option is convenient for those who prefer traditional methods or do not have internet access.
- In person: By visiting a local DMV office. Although it is recommended to use the online or mail options to avoid wait times, this alternative is available for those who prefer it.