California drivers age 70 and older will not be required to take written knowledge tests for license renewal, Department of Motor Vehicles officials announced.
For the older group, licenses expiring in 2024 and beyond will no longer be required to take the test starting Oct. 1, DMV officials said Monday.
“All drivers must take a written test once they turn 70, as a policy requirement and not a legal requirement,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “We are removing the written knowledge test for people without traffic violations to improve customer service.”
Gordon added, “If thousands fewer people have to visit the DMV, or spend less time in the office, the people who need to conduct their business in one of our offices can be better served.”
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DMV visit is still required
For those renewing their driver's license and are 70 years or older, a DMV office visit is still required for a facial exam and an updated photo.
Some renewal notices for customers with licenses expiring in 2024 may indicate that a knowledge test is required, but this will be waived during the office visit.
The DMV encourages customers to start their application online to minimize the time it takes to complete the process in the office.
First drivers
New drivers and new drivers in California will still be required to take a knowledge test, as will renewal customers with poor driving records.
Drivers looking to renew their license and have points to their name are eligible to take the eLearning course, available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Drivers whose details meet one of the following conditions must still take the knowledge test:
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Two or more accidents during the two years immediately preceding the expiration of the license.
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Three or more accidents during the three years immediately preceding license expiration.
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A DUI suspension for the two years immediately preceding the license expiration date.
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A violation point count greater than one within the two years immediately preceding the license expiration date.
For Californians who need to take a knowledge test, choosing an online testing option significantly reduces the amount of time customers have to spend in the office. This improves DMV customer service by reducing office congestion and wait times, DMV officials said.
As part of its customer-centric digital transformation, the DMV processes the following transactions online only, via kiosk, telephone, mail or business partner:
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Simple renewals of vehicle registrations that do not exceed the expiration date and do not require a change of address.
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Renewal of driver's license that does not require a personal visit.
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Requests for copies of vehicle registration records, which show the ownership history of a vehicle.
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Requests for copies of driver's license records showing a driver's history.
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Replacement of a lost or stolen driver's license card.
Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the website to learn their options for completing DMV tasks.
In the High Desert, DMV offices are located at 14855 Corta Dr. in Victorville, and in Barstow at 528 E. Virginia Way.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: DMV knowledge test no longer required for California drivers over 70
