California DMV Extends Learner’s Permits Expiring Through May 2021

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is extending learner’s permits with expiration dates through May 31, 2021, to give student drivers more time during the COVID-19 pandemic to complete the prerequisites needed for a provisional license.

These prerequisites include six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a driving school and 50 hours of supervised driving practice, according to the DMV.

Eligible permits are extended six months from the date of expiration or to a date 24 months from the date of application, whichever is earlier. The DMV previously extended permits expiring between March 1 and Nov. 30, 2020. The DMV has alerted law enforcement of the extensions, which require no individual action on the part of drivers.

The DMV resumed behind-the-wheel drive tests with new health and safety protocols on June 26, and appointments to take the test are available.

Commercial learner’s permits expiring between March and December have been extended through Dec. 31, 2020, to align with federal guidelines.

Summary of California driver’s license extensions

	Expiration month	Status
Learner’s permits (noncommercial)	March 2020-May 2021	Extended six months or to a date 24 months from the date of application
Age 69 & younger (noncommercial)	Beginning March 2020	Expanded eligibility to renew online or by mail for licenses expiring during the emergency
Age 70 & older (noncommercial)	March-December 2020   Beginning March 2020	Extended one year from original expiration date Expanded eligibility to renew online or by mail for licenses expiring during the emergency
Commercial (all types, all ages)	March-December 2020	Extended to Dec. 31, 2020

Californians interested in applying for a learner’s permit can do so by filling out the online application and uploading the required documents. Customers who have completed this process can visit a DMV office to finalize the transaction and receive their permit – no appointment necessary.

DMV field office employees are assisting customers with appointments and walk-ins as time and space permit. The DMV continues to recommend that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. 

Customers can use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.