How often must a California driver renew their license?

In California, a driver is required to renew their license every 5 years. This renewal interval is established to ensure that driving skills and knowledge of current traffic laws are kept up to date, reflecting any changes in regulations or road conditions. It also allows the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to re-evaluate the driver's vision and fitness to drive, contributing to overall road safety.

Renewing every 5 years strikes a balance between maintaining licensing requirements while not being overly burdensome for drivers. Other options, such as renewing every 2 years or annually, would create unnecessary stress and workloads for both the drivers and the DMV. On the opposite end, a 10-year renewal period might not adequately address the changing skills or health of a driver, which is critical for safety on the roads.