September 4, 2020 - In late July I read online that DMV had wisely decided to automatically give a 1 year extension to noncommercial driver’s licenses for Californians age 70 and over to reduce Covid 19 exposure.  I was personally relieved that I would not have to spend time in a crowded DMV office.  Then this week I received a formal Renewal Notice with the original expiration date and advising I must go to a DMV office to get it renewed.  Up went the anxiety level once again!

The notice does suggest you make an appointment online and IF you follow the link there is a link for those age 70 and older as well as one for those 69 and younger.  And yes, if you click on that link, there is information about the free one year extension.   

But nothing in the notice itself about the extension or included with it.  Other than the initial press release I spotted online, I have not seen any articles in the papers about this safety measure to help keep seniors out of harm’s way.  

Not everyone decides to make an appointment the day they get such a notice.  Many seniors don’t “do the computer.”  So, on top of the growing stress of isolation and Covid 19 related anxiety, this letter arrives adding even more!  I cannot believe there was not some simple way to print a standard note on these letters, or to include a small insert (there was one about the Real ID) about this automatic and free extension as well as that now many other functions for everyone can now be done online that previously required an in-person visit.  

Help spread the word and let your senior family members know about the extension.  And, no matter what your age, if contemplating a trip to the DMV, you might want to check out their website to see if whatever task its is, perhaps it can now be accomplished online.

Dale Silverman
Member Mariposa County Commission on Aging
Coulterville, CA

Related: California DMV Encourages Renewing License Online, Expands Eligibility