How to reschedule your California DMV appointment online or by phone

You can reschedule a California DMV appointment through the DMV's online appointment system, by phone, or in person at a DMV office. The fastest method is online through the DMV website — you log in with your driver's license or ID number, find your existing appointment, and choose a new date and time from available slots. If you cannot reschedule online, you can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 (TTY 1-800-368-4327) during business hours, or visit a DMV office in person to reschedule at the service counter.

Rescheduling is free and does not affect your place in the system. You keep the same service type and location; you are only changing the date and time. Most people complete the reschedule in under five minutes online, and phone reschedules usually take 10 to 15 minutes depending on call volume.

Key Takeaways

  • The DMV online appointment system at dmv.ca.gov is the fastest way to reschedule — you can do it any time of day without waiting on hold.
  • You will need your driver's license or ID number and the phone number or email associated with your appointment to reschedule online.
  • If you reschedule by phone, call 1-800-777-0133 during DMV business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sundays and state holidays).
  • Rescheduling does not cost money and does not change what service you are there for — only the date and time change.
  • If your appointment is within the next 24 hours, some DMV offices may not allow online rescheduling and will require you to call or visit in person.

Reschedule online through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Appointments" from the main menu. Click "Reschedule an Appointment." You will be asked to enter your driver's license or ID number and the phone number or email address you used when you booked the original appointment. The system will pull up your appointment details and show you available time slots at the same location for the next several weeks.

Select your new date and time, review the confirmation, and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and, if you provided an email address, a confirmation email. Save or print the confirmation number — you will need it if you have questions about the rescheduled appointment later. The change takes effect when ready; your old appointment is cancelled and replaced with the new one.

If the online system tells you that rescheduling is not available for your appointment, it usually means your appointment is within 24 hours or there is a technical issue. In that case, call the DMV or visit an office in person.

Reschedule by phone with the DMV

Call 1-800-777-0133 to reach the DMV appointment line. Have your driver's license or ID number ready, along with the phone number or email you used to book the appointment. A representative will look up your appointment, confirm the service type and location, and ask what new date and time work for you. They will check availability and book the reschedule on the spot.

Phone lines are busiest in the morning and early afternoon. If you call during peak hours (9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.), expect to wait 15 to 30 minutes. Early morning (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) or late afternoon (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.) calls usually have shorter waits. The TTY line for deaf or hard-of-hearing callers is 1-800-368-4327.

The DMV phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time. It is closed Sundays and state holidays. If you cannot reach anyone after multiple attempts, try rescheduling online or visiting a DMV office in person.

Reschedule in person at a DMV office

Walk into any DMV office and go to the service counter. Tell the representative you want to reschedule an existing appointment. Bring your driver's license or ID and be ready to provide the phone number or email associated with your appointment. The representative will look up your appointment on the office computer, show you available slots, and reschedule you on the spot.

In-person rescheduling takes about 5 to 10 minutes if the office is not busy. If you arrive during peak hours (late morning or early afternoon), you may wait 30 minutes or longer just to reach the counter. Check the DMV office wait times online at dmv.ca.gov before you go — the website shows real-time wait times for most offices so you can choose a quieter time.

What to do if you cannot find an available appointment slot

If the online system, phone line, or office shows no available appointments for weeks, the DMV office you selected may be fully booked. Try searching for appointments at a different DMV location — you can change the location in the online system or ask the phone representative to check nearby offices. Some locations have shorter wait times than others, and you may find an opening at a location 10 or 20 miles away.

If no slots are available anywhere in your area, the DMV may be experiencing high demand. Check back the next day or later in the week — new appointment slots are released regularly as cancellations happen. You can also call the DMV to ask when new slots are typically released for your service type.

Rescheduling when your appointment is very soon

If your appointment is within 24 hours, the online system may not allow you to reschedule yourself. Call 1-800-777-0133 instead — the phone line can often reschedule last-minute appointments even when the website cannot. Explain that you need to move your appointment and ask what dates and times are available.

If you cannot reach the phone line in time, visit a DMV office in person. Bring your driver's license or ID and the confirmation number for your appointment. A representative can reschedule you when ready at the counter, even if it is the same day as your original appointment.

What happens to your original appointment after you reschedule

Your original appointment is automatically cancelled when you reschedule. You do not need to cancel it separately. The DMV system removes it from the schedule and frees up that time slot for other people. Only your new appointment is active.

If you reschedule and then change your mind, you can reschedule again to go back to your original time — as long as that slot has not been taken by someone else. If it has been taken, you will need to choose a different time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule if I do not have the phone number or email I used to book the appointment?

Call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and explain that you do not have that information. A representative can look up your appointment using your driver's license or ID number and the appointment location. They can then reschedule you over the phone without needing the original contact details.

Will rescheduling cost me money?

No. Rescheduling is free. You do not pay anything to change your appointment date or time. You will only pay the DMV fee when you show up for your actual appointment.

Can I reschedule someone else's appointment?

No. The DMV requires the person whose name is on the appointment to reschedule it. If someone else needs to reschedule your appointment, they will need your driver's license or ID number and the contact information you used to book it, and they must call the DMV or visit an office with you present.

What if I need to cancel instead of reschedule?

You can cancel through the same online system where you reschedule — select "Cancel an Appointment" instead of "Reschedule." Or call 1-800-777-0133 and tell the representative you want to cancel. Cancelling is free and frees up your appointment slot for someone else.

How far in advance can I reschedule my appointment?

You can reschedule to any available date the system shows, which is typically several weeks out. There is no rule preventing you from rescheduling far in advance. However, if you reschedule too early and your plans change again, you can reschedule a second time.