SACRAMENTO - Ending a gradual, two-month "ramping up" period, the new system for on-line renewal of California driver licenses over the Internet has now reached full operating capacity. Online renewal is now available to most DMV customers with a good driving record.
"What a perfect time to become fully operational," said DMV's Deputy Director of Licensing Operations, John McClellan. "People stand in enough lines during the holiday shopping season. So why stand in line unnecessarily at the DMV when you can now renew your driver license from the comfort of your home computer? That's one less trip you have to make during the busy holiday season."
Two months ago, when the department first threw the switch to activate online driver license renewal, DMV officials cautioned in their October 6th news release that initially only a small percentage of customers were eligible to use the new, more convenient Internet license renewal system. That's because, for security reasons, Internet license renewal requires the extra protection of a so-called RIN (Renewal Identification Number), which didn't begin appearing on renewal notices until September 13th. Since license renewals are mailed out two months in advance of expiration, that meant then-current renewal notices mailed out in August and early September didn't have the RIN needed for Internet renewal.
"But as of December, all current renewal notices that are eligible for Internet renewal now contain that all-important Internet RIN," said McClellan. "That means if you have a good driving record and if it's been less than 15 years since you came to a DMV office to renew your driver license in person, then you're probably eligible to renew over the Internet. Please take advantage of it. It's so much easier and more convenient -- especially now that we've eliminated the extra service charge for using a credit card."
An average of 1,000 Californians per day are now renewing their licenses via the Internet. As the word continues to spread about this new service, DMV officials expect a further increase.
Motorists under the age of 70 with a good driving record are allowed to renew by Internet or mail two times in a row, if they have no health problems requiring more frequent visits to a field office. That enables many customers to go 15 years without visiting a DMV field office. After two consecutive renewals by mail or Internet, a field office visit is required for routine vision screening and a new photograph. Beginning at age 70, customers must come in for a new vision test at every five-year renewal.
Vehicle registration renewals over the Internet have been underway for more than four years and have become increasingly popular. But the more elaborate anti-fraud Internet security precautions required for driver licenses were not in place until mid-September of this year.
To guard against fraud and identity theft, the customer is required to type in four separate "points of identification:" (A) The confidential, high-security RIN which is mailed to the individual licensee in a sealed envelope. (B) Driver license number. (C) Birth year. And (D) the last four digits of a verified social security number that is electronically cross-checked against federal records. To further prevent fraud or identity theft, the transaction is encoded via a secure Web site, and the Internet cannot be used to change the address or the physical description on the license. The new card will contain the applicant's picture from the previous renewal.
"Any eligible customers who don't have access to the Internet can still renew by mail," said McClellan. "But the Internet is so much faster, easier and more convenient - plus it saves you a stamp and a trip to the post office.
"Every year, we are moving more and more DMV transactions out of our field offices and onto the Internet," said McClellan. "We're moving as rapidly as possible toward an e-DMV for the 21st Century where a visit to a field office will increasingly become a rarity. That means happier customers and shorter lines -- and that's great news for everyone."
Additional information on Internet driver license renewal and how-to-do-it instructions are available on the DMV Web site at dmv.ca.gov.
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