How to reschedule your California DMV appointment online or by phone

You can reschedule a California DMV appointment through the DMV's online system or by calling their customer service line. The online method is fastest—you log into your DMV account, find your scheduled appointment, and pick a new date and time from available slots. If you cannot use the online system, you can call 1-800-777-0133 to reschedule by phone, though wait times are often longer than scheduling online.

Rescheduling is free and does not cost you anything beyond the service fee you already paid when you first booked. You keep the same appointment type (registration renewal, license renewal, smog check, etc.) and do not lose your place in the system. The key is rescheduling before your current appointment date—if you miss the appointment without cancelling, you may have to start over and pay again.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your DMV account at dmv.ca.gov to reschedule online, which shows available times when ready and takes five minutes.
  • Call 1-800-777-0133 if you do not have an online account or prefer phone support, but expect to wait 30 minutes or longer during peak hours.
  • Reschedule before your appointment date; missing an appointment without cancelling may require you to pay and book again.
  • You can reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment, though some locations may have different cutoff times.
  • If no times are available at your preferred location, try nearby DMV offices or check back later, as cancellations open up slots throughout the day.

Rescheduling through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and sign into your account using your driver's license or ID number and date of birth. Once logged in, look for "Appointments" or "Manage Appointments" in the menu. Select the appointment you want to change, and the system will show you available dates and times at that location or nearby offices.

Choose your new date and time, then confirm the change. You will receive a confirmation email with your new appointment details. Save this email or take a screenshot—you will need to show your confirmation number when you arrive at the DMV. The entire process usually takes five to ten minutes if slots are available.

If you do not have an online account, you can create one on the same page using your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. First-time account setup takes about five minutes.

Rescheduling by phone

Call 1-800-777-0133 during DMV business hours. Have your appointment confirmation number ready—you can find it in your confirmation email or text message. The automated system may ask you to enter information, or you may speak to a representative depending on call volume.

Wait times vary widely. Early morning (before 9 a.m.) and late afternoon (after 4 p.m.) typically have shorter waits than midday. If you reach a representative, they can reschedule you when ready and provide a new confirmation number over the phone. Ask them to email or text the new confirmation to you so you have a record.

What to do if no appointments are available

If the system shows no open slots at your preferred location, try searching for nearby DMV offices. Locations in less populated areas often have more availability than busy urban branches. You can also check back later the same day or the next morning—cancellations happen constantly and new slots appear throughout the day.

If you are in a time crunch, some DMV offices accept walk-ins for certain services, though you may wait several hours. Call the specific office directly to ask whether walk-ins are accepted for your service type. The DMV website lists phone numbers for each location.

Cancelling instead of rescheduling

If you need to cancel rather than reschedule, use the same online system or call 1-800-777-0133. Cancelling frees up your appointment slot for other people and removes the appointment from your account. However, cancelling does not refund any service fees you paid—you will need to book a new appointment and pay again when you are ready.

If you cancel and later want to reschedule, you are starting fresh: you will pay the service fee again and book a new appointment from scratch. For this reason, rescheduling (moving your existing appointment) is usually better than cancelling and rebooking unless your plans have changed completely.

What happens if you miss your appointment

If you do not show up and do not reschedule or cancel beforehand, the DMV will mark the appointment as a no-show. You will lose the service fee you paid and will have to book a new appointment and pay again. No-shows do not affect your driving record or license status, but they do cost you money and time.

If you realize you will miss your appointment, reschedule or cancel as soon as possible—even if it is the day of the appointment. This prevents the no-show mark and preserves your options for rebooking without paying twice.

Rescheduling for different service types

The rescheduling process is the same whether you are renewing your registration, renewing your license, taking a written test, or scheduling a smog check. However, some services have time limits. For example, if your registration expires on a specific date, you need to complete your renewal before that date—rescheduling does not extend the expiration important date. If your license is expiring soon, reschedule to a date before the expiration to avoid driving with an expired license.

If you are unsure whether your appointment type has a important date, call the DMV or check your renewal notice. The notice usually states the important date clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my appointment the day before or the day of?

Yes, you can reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment through the online system or by phone. Some locations may allow rescheduling closer to the appointment time, but 24 hours is the standard window. If you are within a few hours of your appointment, calling 1-800-777-0133 is faster than using the website.

Do I have to reschedule at the same DMV location?

No. When you reschedule online, the system shows available times at your original location and nearby offices. You can choose a different location if it has better availability. Keep in mind that some services (like written tests) may only be available at certain locations, so your options may be limited by service type.

What if I forgot my confirmation number?

Check your email for the confirmation message from the DMV—it contains your confirmation number. If you cannot find the email, log into your DMV account online and look under "Appointments" to see your scheduled appointment and its number. You can also call 1-800-777-0133 and provide your driver's license number to look up your appointment.

Will rescheduling cost me extra money?

No. Rescheduling is free. You already paid the service fee when you first booked the appointment, and that fee covers the rescheduled appointment. You only pay again if you cancel and then book a completely new appointment.

What if my appointment is more than a month away and I want to reschedule?

You can reschedule appointments that are weeks or months away using the same online system or by phone. There is no restriction on how far in advance you reschedule. However, if your license or registration expires before your new appointment date, you need to make sure the new appointment is before the expiration date.