How long is a US driver's license valid?

It depends on the state. For example, California's original licenses expire on the holder's fifth birthday after the application date (CVC 12816(a)), and Texas issues licenses valid for up to eight years. Use the expiry date printed on the card.

How early can a license be renewed?

Each state sets the window. California opens online renewal within 90 days of expiry, New York allows renewal up to 1 year before expiry, and Texas allows most renewals up to two years before expiry.

What must an employer of truck or bus drivers do each year?

At least once every 12 months, obtain each driver's motor vehicle record from every state where the driver held a commercial motor vehicle license, review it, and keep the record and a dated note of the review in the driver qualification file (49 CFR 391.25 and 391.51).

What happens if a license expires?

The holder may not drive until it is renewed. Some states allow late renewal for a limited period (for example two years in New York and Texas); after that the holder must apply for a new license and retake the tests.

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep every employee's driver's license current, state by state

US driver's licenses are issued by the state of residence, which sets the term and renewal window: California licenses expire on the fifth birthday after application (CVC 12816(a)), Texas issues them for up to eight years. Motor carriers must also review each CMV driver's record every 12 months (49 CFR 391.25).

There is no national driver's license in the United States. Each state's licensing agency (usually the DMV or, in Texas, the Department of Public Safety) issues the license, sets how long it is valid, and decides how early and how late it can be renewed. The expiry date printed on the card is the date that matters for your records.

Examples from official state pages: in California, an original license expires on the holder's fifth birthday after the application date (California Vehicle Code section 12816(a)), the DMV sends a courtesy notice about 4 months before expiry, and online renewal is open within 90 days of expiry. In Texas, the Department of Public Safety issues licenses valid for up to eight years and most can be renewed up to two years before and after the expiry date. In New York, a license can be renewed up to 1 year before and 2 years after it expires; if it has been expired for 2 years or more, the holder must apply for an original license again, with the tests that entails.

For drivers of commercial motor vehicles, federal rules add a yearly check on top of the state license: the motor carrier must, at least once every 12 months, obtain and review each driver's motor vehicle record (49 CFR 391.25(a) and (b)) and keep the record and a note of the review in the driver qualification file (49 CFR 391.25(c) and 391.51).

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At a glance

Issued by	The licensing agency of the state of residence (DMV, DPS or equivalent)
Validity	Set by each state; printed on the license
California	Original license expires on the 5th birthday after the application date (CVC 12816(a)); online renewal within 90 days of expiry
Texas	Valid for up to eight years; most licenses renewable up to two years before and after expiry
New York	Renewable up to 1 year before and 2 years after expiry; expired 2 years or more means a new original application
CMV drivers (federal)	Motor vehicle record obtained and reviewed at least every 12 months (49 CFR 391.25)

The state examples above are from the California DMV, Texas DPS and New York DMV pages listed under sources, read on 10 October 2026. Other states have their own terms and renewal windows; check the licensing agency of the state that issued the license.

Who is responsible?

The driver holds the license and renews it with the issuing state. An employer that lets employees drive for work should know each license's expiry date; for commercial motor vehicle drivers, the motor carrier must make the annual motor vehicle record inquiry and review and keep the result in the driver qualification file (49 CFR 391.25 and 391.51).

If the deadline passes

Renewal windows differ by state. In New York, a license that has been expired for 2 years or more cannot be renewed; the holder must apply for an original license and pass the vision test, written test, pre-licensing course and road test again. In Texas, most licenses can still be renewed up to two years after expiry. Check the issuing state's rules before the grace period runs out.

Commercial driver's licenses and REAL ID

A commercial driver's license (CDL) follows the same state expiry date but has its own federal rules; see the separate CDL guide. The New York DMV requires CDL holders to renew at a DMV office rather than online. Whether a license is a REAL ID or Enhanced document does not change its expiry date, but changing the document type at renewal may require an office visit.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each driver and record the expiry date printed on the license, plus the issuing state so the right renewal window applies.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the expiry date and on the day itself, so the driver has time to renew within the state's window, including a vision test where the state requires one.
For commercial motor vehicle drivers, add a second record for the annual motor vehicle record inquiry and review, due 12 months after the last one (49 CFR 391.25).
Assign a responsible person (for example your fleet or HR manager) so the right person gets the reminder.
If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask the driver to upload the new license through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a US driver's license valid?: It depends on the state. For example, California's original licenses expire on the holder's fifth birthday after the application date (CVC 12816(a)), and Texas issues licenses valid for up to eight years. Use the expiry date printed on the card.
How early can a license be renewed?: Each state sets the window. California opens online renewal within 90 days of expiry, New York allows renewal up to 1 year before expiry, and Texas allows most renewals up to two years before expiry.
What must an employer of truck or bus drivers do each year?: At least once every 12 months, obtain each driver's motor vehicle record from every state where the driver held a commercial motor vehicle license, review it, and keep the record and a dated note of the review in the driver qualification file (49 CFR 391.25 and 391.51).
What happens if a license expires?: The holder may not drive until it is renewed. Some states allow late renewal for a limited period (for example two years in New York and Texas); after that the holder must apply for a new license and retake the tests.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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