How to Reschedule Your California DMV Appointment

You can reschedule online, by phone, or through the DMV website — but the method depends on what type of appointment you have

The fastest way to reschedule is through the California DMV website if your appointment is for a standard service like a license renewal, written test, or behind-the-wheel exam. You log in with your appointment confirmation number and can pick a new date and time in minutes. If you booked through an online appointment system, you can usually cancel and rebook the same way without calling.

For some appointment types — mainly commercial licenses, CDL tests, and certain specialty services — you may not have an online reschedule option. In those cases, you will need to call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or visit the field office in person. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, though wait times can run 30 minutes or longer during peak hours.

If you are rescheduling because of a legitimate conflict, the DMV will not charge you a fee. However, if you miss an appointment without canceling, you may lose your spot and have to start the booking process over.

Key Takeaways

• Log into your DMV appointment confirmation online to reschedule most standard services without calling.
• Commercial licenses, CDL exams, and specialty services usually require a phone call to 1-800-777-0133 to reschedule.
• Rescheduling is free, but missing an appointment without canceling forfeits your spot.
• Call the DMV Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time; expect longer waits during mid-morning and early afternoon.
• Have your confirmation number, driver's license number, or appointment details ready before you call.

Rescheduling through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and look for the "Appointments" section. You will see an option to manage your existing appointment. Click on it and enter your confirmation number — this is the code sent to you in your appointment confirmation email or text message. If you did not save it, you can also search by your driver's license number or identification number.

Once you pull up your appointment, you will see the current date and time. Select "Reschedule" or "Change appointment" (the exact wording varies). The system will show you available dates and times at the same field office. Pick the new slot that works for you and confirm. You should receive a new confirmation number by email or text within minutes.

This method works for written tests, behind-the-wheel exams, license renewals, identification card renewals, and most other routine services. It does not work if your appointment is for a commercial driver's license (CDL), a hazmat endorsement, or certain other specialty services — those require a phone call.

Rescheduling by phone

Call 1-800-777-0133 during business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. The DMV does not take calls on weekends or state holidays. Have your confirmation number ready, or be prepared to give your driver's license number, date of birth, and the date of your current appointment.

When you reach an agent, tell them you need to reschedule. They will confirm your identity and current appointment details, then show you available times. You can ask for a specific date or time, but availability depends on how far out you are booking and how busy that field office is. Once you choose a new slot, the agent will give you a new confirmation number — write it down or ask them to email it to you.

Wait times on the phone vary widely. Early morning (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and late afternoon (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.) tend to be less crowded than mid-morning. If you get a long wait, hang up and try again later rather than staying on hold.

Rescheduling in person at a field office

You can walk into any California DMV field office and ask to reschedule your appointment. Bring your confirmation number and a valid ID. An employee at the front desk can pull up your appointment and help you book a new time. This is useful if you are already at a DMV office for another reason, but it is not faster than calling or using the website.

Some field offices have longer waits than others. If you go in person, arrive early in the day — most offices are less crowded before 11 a.m. Check the DMV website for your local office's hours before you go, because some locations have reduced hours or are closed certain days.

What happens if you miss your appointment

If you do not show up and do not reschedule beforehand, the DMV will cancel your appointment. You will lose your spot and have to book a new one through the regular appointment system. Depending on the service and how busy the DMV is in your area, the next available appointment could be weeks away.

If you realize you are going to be late, call the field office directly as soon as you can. Some offices will hold your appointment for 15 to 30 minutes if you call ahead. The phone number for your specific field office is on the DMV website — search for your location and call that number rather than the general line.

Rescheduling to a different field office

If you need to move your appointment to a different DMV location entirely, you will usually need to cancel the current one and book a new appointment at the other office. The online system lets you choose which field office when you reschedule, so you can do this in one step without calling.

If the online system does not let you switch offices, call 1-800-777-0133 and ask the agent to cancel your current appointment and book you at a different location. This is common if you are rescheduling a CDL or specialty service. Be aware that availability at a different office may be different — a location that is fully booked might have openings at another one nearby.

Rescheduling for behind-the-wheel exams and road tests

Behind-the-wheel exams have their own scheduling rules. You can reschedule through the website using your confirmation number, just like other appointments. However, if you reschedule more than once, some field offices may require you to call to book further changes — this varies by location.

If you need to reschedule because your test vehicle will not be ready or your licensed driver will not be available, do it as soon as you know. The DMV does not refund test fees if you miss an exam, but rescheduling is free. If you cancel and rebook multiple times, ask the field office whether there are any limits on how many times you can change the date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can reschedule online or by phone up until the day of your appointment. However, finding an available slot the next day or same day is not may provide — it depends on how busy that field office is. If you need to reschedule urgently, call early in the morning when the phone lines are less crowded.

What if I reschedule and then need to reschedule again?

You can reschedule as many times as you need. Use the same method — online or by phone — with your new confirmation number. There is no fee for rescheduling, but if you cancel and rebook repeatedly, some offices may ask you to call instead of using the website.

Do I need to bring anything to reschedule?

No. To reschedule online, you only need your confirmation number. To reschedule by phone, have your confirmation number or driver's license number ready. If you reschedule in person, bring your confirmation number and a valid ID, but you do not need any other documents.

What if I lost my confirmation number?

You can still reschedule. On the DMV website, enter your driver's license number or identification number instead of your confirmation number. By phone, give the agent your driver's license number, date of birth, and the date of your current appointment, and they will pull up your record.

Will rescheduling change my test date if I am studying for a written exam?

No. Rescheduling simply moves your appointment to a new date and time. Your test content does not change. If you need more time to study, reschedule to a later date. If you reschedule to an earlier date, make sure you are ready.