January 2026

Over 70 and Renewing Your Driver’s License - Fact or Fiction

By Suzi Hoge
Posted: 06/26/2025

I am delighted to share the ease with which I was able to renew my driver’s license/Real ID. During the last few years, there were many horror stories about the weird test questions, etc. that were presented for older, competent drivers hoping to renew their licenses. Then came virtual exams with coaching until answers were correct.

So, I was a bit apprehensive when it came time to renew my license/real ID. I got a reminder online and then a real letter outlining the steps. “Drivers 70+ must visit a DMV office to renew their license.”  But in reading further I found out I needed to fill out a renewal application online and then visit an office. But when visiting the DMV office, I would need to pay my renewal fee ($55), take a vision test, provide a thumbprint, and take a photo.

Ok, I could do this. The online process was very basic. After filling out the application I received a confirmation code and was told the next step was to schedule an appointment. In scheduling the appointment, I looked for a nearby site that I could visit in the morning - before my license expired. Pasadena DMV had an opening on June 3, so I took it.

That morning, I took my current license, a credit card, and application confirmation code. I expected to have to wait a long time. I arrived about ten minutes before my appointment. I entered and saw a long line of folks without appointments. I checked with the helpful security person who directed me to a line of one person for folks who had appointments or needed disability support. I was quickly called to a window. My documents were checked and I was given a letter and number that would be to take the next stop. As I turned away from the first window, my number was called and I reported to Window #2. I shared paperwork, my license, did a thumbprint, and then took the vision test.

Boy, has the vision test changed! There were about 5 lines, all the same size. You read a line with both eyes and then read other lines with your left and right eye. 

I then paid the license fee of $55 and had to report to the photo line. No line. I took a not very good photo (That has not changed.), and my temporary license paperwork was given to me.

I was out of the office at 9:01. Now a reminder that my appointment was for 9:00. Wow!! About 10 days later, my renewed license arrived in the mail. 

Not everyone has had such luck at the DMV. Sue Addelson reported that she had not done the California Real Identification paperwork. Since she traveled recently that caused problems, so she contacted the DMV to remedy the situation. She was told to wait until her next license renewal and meanwhile use a passport if she needed to travel by air. Sue shared, “Not a very satisfactory answer. I guess if it was important enough to me, I could tell them I lost my license. But for now, I’ll play by the rules.”

The moral of the story: Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about the horror of renewing your driver’s license! A little preparation eases the way.