Duplicate California DMV Driver License or REAL ID

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Getting your Duplicate Driver License or REAL ID is the first thing you should consider doing as soon as possible.

Go online now at DMV here to get a Duplicate License.

There’s nothing in the DMV system early on. You will really appreciate it later when you are able to get your Duplicate License or REAL ID.

Since you will need a hard-copy driver license with your photograph, you can easily apply for your Duplicate License online or REAL ID at a California DMV field office.

WHY get a Duplicate License or REAL ID?

In the upcoming months, you will need your Duplicate License or REAL ID for:

1. Proof of Identification

2. Credit Card Purchase

3. Bank Transaction

4. Travel

5. To fly in the U.S. beginning October 2021

6. Rent a Vehicle, or

7. Use of your hard-copy photo license for many other reasons.

Receive that replacement License or REAL ID in the mail within apx. 8 business days (DMV may say a number of weeks but it is usually sooner.)

Field offices are temporarily closed so do this online . All appointments at this time have been canceled and no appointments are currently available.

Click on this Duplicate License Info to create an online DMV account today:

Driver License (DL) and Identification (ID) Card Information

Duplicate Driver License.

DMV’s customers will be charged a 2.1% service fee on all debit and credit card transactions made on the DMV website, DMV Now Kiosks, and automated telephone system.

In order to process your duplicate driver license online, you must:

Use the latest version of DMV’s recommended web browsers: Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, or Safari.
Create an online account.
Not have a change of address within the last 14 days.

By selecting the “Start” button below, you will be directed to the Online Duplicate Driver License page. To learn more about how your information is shared as well as the laws that protect the release of your information visit How Information is Protected or Disclosed.

All credit/debit card transactions will be assessed a 2.1% service fee.

Start here.

How to Request a Duplicate DL/ID or REAL ID:

Complete a new DL/ID applicationUse our online DL/ID application to apply for a duplicate driver license, ID card, or commercial driver license. If you would like to take this opportunity to convert to a REAL ID DL/ID card or CDL, you will be able to select REAL ID in the application.Minors applying for a duplicate DL must have parents’ or guardians’ signatures on the application.
Gather the required proof documents to show DMVIf you do take this opportunity to convert to a REAL ID for the first time, you will need to provide 1.) proof of identity, 2.) proof of social security number (SSN), and 3.) two proofs of California residency.See acceptable documents list
If your duplicate will not be a REAL ID, you do not need to provide any proof documents.
Visit a DMV office to complete the processYour duplicate request isn’t complete until you come into a field office! You may either make an appointment, or check the current walk-in wait list time for your local office – wait times are often shorter than you would think at certain locations!Be prepared to pay the appropriate duplicate licensing fee, have your photograph validated buy DMV, and scan your thumbprint (to protect against identity theft). If applying for a REAL ID for the first time, bring your proof documents with you.
What to expect:
If you applied for a duplicate driver license or commercial driver license, you will be given a temporary license valid for 60 days. If you applied for an ID card, you will be given a receipt as proof of application.
You should receive your new DL or ID card in the mail within three to four weeks. If you have not received your DL and/or ID card after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check the status.

“What should I do if I lose – or I am missing – my driver’s license?”

WHAT ARE YOU ONLINE APPLYING FOR? DUPLICATE DRIVER LICENSE (DL)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? Replace a (e.g. lost or missing) license.

DMV does not ask how your Driver License was lost or who you lost it to.

You will be asked: “Have you ever had your driving privilege cancelled, refused, suspended, or revoked?”

If you have not otherwise suffered a separate suspension, this should not count because DMV has not suspended your license (and may not at all).

Your attorney is going to timely ask DMV to stop (stay) any possible suspension action arising out of this.

Right now you do not know if there will actually be proper paperwork for a suspension at some point in the future.

Had DMV actually suspended your license, DMV would not give you a Duplicate License.

DMV may or may not give you a Duplicate License if they see DMV records are updated to reflect an administrative per se action which may or may not result in a suspension after a scheduled hearing date.

If DMV sees this at some point in the system, they may or may not issue the REAL ID or Duplicate License. It may depend on the field office and/or the state employee who handles your application.

Pay Duplicate License application fee (presently apx. $30 DEBIT or CREDIT CARD). For current fee, visit Driver License/Identification Card Application Fees.

You will be issued a receipt until you receive your new photo replacement license in the mail.

WHY would DMV give me a Duplicate License?

Your pink DMV Temporary slip is just a piece of paper which may or may not lead to an administrative suspension.

You have not been notified in writing by the Department of Motor Vehicles of any actual suspension action. So if you were to go to CA DMV online to get a copy of your driving record it should show that your license is valid (there is no license suspension action).

REAL ID Option instead?

Please continue to check the DMV website for these REAL ID instructions and for updates here.

DMV was really pushing the REAL ID so it may be worthwhile to get one if an appointment is available.

Most people have the CA DL number memorized or written down on a piece of paper.

If you give them a pink Temporary, they may not understand your need for the hard copy duplicate or replacement. If you hand DMV the pink paper or they see it in the system, DMV may only give you a Photo I.D. card. An I.D. card looks like a license so it will not be a wasted trip.

Once a DMV hearing is scheduled, upon request, a California license holder will usually receive a DMV Temporary License, which states: