What can happen if you do not renew your driver’s license before it expires?

If you do not renew your driver’s license before it expires, several consequences can arise, which is why the answer identifies multiple potential outcomes.

Failing to renew can lead to financial penalties, such as fines, as driving with an expired license is considered illegal in California. Authorities may enforce this through traffic stops or other legal actions if you're found operating a vehicle without a valid license.

Additionally, the state may require you to retake the driving test if too much time has passed since your license expired. This requirement is in place to ensure that drivers maintain their skills and knowledge of road safety and regulations, which can change over time.

While losing your driving privileges permanently is unlikely, especially for not renewing a license alone, serious infractions or repeated offenses can lead to stricter consequences. Therefore, timely renewal is encouraged to avoid these complications and to help maintain safe driving practices.