California Identification Card
The DMV issues ID cards to persons of any age. To obtain an original ID card, you must present a birth date/ legal presence verification document and provide your social security number. The ID card is valid until the sixth birthday after the issue date. The fee for an ID card may be reduced, if you meet certain income requirements for specific public assistance programs.
Note: Governmental or non-profit organizations determine whether an individual meets the requirements for a reduced-fee ID card. If you are age 62 or older, you may obtain a free senior citizen ID card that is good for 10 years.
Driver’s License and ID for Physical and Mental (P&M) Conditions
- Drivers with physical or mental (P&M) conditions may need to be reexamined from time to time by a physician or be retested more often than every five years by a DMV examiner to obtain a limited-term driver license.
- Drivers who are no longer able to drive safely because of a P&M condition may exchange their valid driver license for a no-fee ID card, if certain guidelines are met. Go online atwww.dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800- 777-0133 for additional information.
Identification (ID) Card Renewal by Mail or Internet
- Persons who are eligible to renew their ID cards by mail or Internet will receive a Renewal by Mail or Internet Notice approximately 60 days before the expiration of their current ID card. Those that possess reduced fee ID cards cannot renew by mail or Internet.
- There is a fee for regular ID cards (persons under 62 years of age). There is no charge for senior citizen ID cards (persons 62 years of age or older), if applying for a senior citizen ID card.
