How to Change or Cancel Your California DMV Appointment

You can change your California DMV appointment online, by phone, or in person — the method depends on how you booked it

If you booked through the DMV website (dmv.ca.gov), you can change the date, time, or location yourself without calling. If you booked by phone or in person, you'll need to contact the DMV directly. The fastest route is usually the online system, which lets you cancel your current slot and book a new one in the same session. Changes are free, and you can make them up to the day before your appointment.

The process takes about 10 minutes if you have your confirmation number handy. If you've lost that number, the DMV can look up your appointment using your driver's license number or ID number instead. Cancelling without rebooking is also possible — you just won't have a reserved time, and you'll need to book again later if you still need the service.

Key Takeaways

• Online appointments can be changed through dmv.ca.gov using your confirmation number or driver's license number.
• Phone appointments booked through 1-800-777-0133 must be changed by calling that same number during DMV business hours.
• You can change the date, time, or office location, but the service type (license renewal, written test, etc.) usually cannot be changed — you may need to cancel and rebook for a different service.
• Changes made within 24 hours of your appointment may not process in time, so plan ahead if possible.

Changing your appointment online through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Appointments" from the main menu. Click "Manage Your Appointment." You'll be asked to enter either your confirmation number (a code sent to you when you booked) or your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your current appointment details.

Once your appointment appears, select "Cancel" or "Reschedule." If you choose reschedule, the system will show available dates and times at your current office or let you pick a different DMV location. Select your new slot and confirm. You'll receive a new confirmation number by email or text, depending on how you set up your account. Keep this number — you'll need it to check in on the day of your appointment.

The online system is open 24 hours, so you can make changes at night or on weekends. However, if your appointment is tomorrow, the change may not process in time for the DMV staff to see it. Call 1-800-777-0133 during business hours if you need to change an appointment happening within 24 hours.

Changing your appointment by phone

Call 1-800-777-0133 during DMV business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time). Have your confirmation number or driver's license number ready. A representative will look up your appointment and ask what you'd like to change: the date, time, or location.

The phone line can be busy, especially in the morning and early afternoon. If you get a busy signal, try again in 15 minutes or use the online system instead. The representative will give you a new confirmation number once the change is complete. Write it down or ask them to send it to your email or phone number on file.

Changing your appointment in person at a DMV office

You can walk into any DMV office and ask to change your appointment at the service counter. Bring your confirmation number or driver's license. A staff member will look up your appointment and help you pick a new date, time, or location. This method works if you're already at the DMV or prefer to handle it face-to-face, but it's usually slower than calling or using the website.

If you're changing your appointment the day before or the day of, going in person is often faster than waiting on the phone line. The staff can confirm the change immediately and print a new confirmation slip for you.

What you cannot change and what to do instead

The DMV appointment system lets you change the date, time, and office location, but not the service type. If you originally booked for a written test but now need a vision test instead, you cannot simply modify that appointment. You'll need to cancel it and book a new one for the correct service.

Similarly, if you booked for one person (yourself) but now need to bring a minor or dependent, you cannot add them to your existing appointment. Each person needs their own slot. Cancel your current appointment and book separate ones for each person who needs service.

If you're unsure whether your change is possible, call 1-800-777-0133 and describe what you need. The representative can tell you whether to reschedule or cancel and rebook.

What happens if you miss or cancel your appointment

If you don't show up for your appointment, nothing happens immediately — there's no fee or penalty. However, your reserved time slot is lost, and you'll need to book a new appointment if you still need the service. During busy periods, the next available slot might be weeks away.

If you cancel your appointment, you free up that slot for someone else, but you also lose your reserved time. You can rebook right away through the same system, or wait until you're ready. There's no charge for cancelling or rebooking.

Troubleshooting: when your confirmation number doesn't work

If you try to manage your appointment online and the system says your confirmation number is invalid, try using your driver's license number instead. Confirmation numbers are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as they appear in your email or text message.

If neither the confirmation number nor your driver's license number brings up your appointment, it's possible the appointment was already cancelled or the system has a delay. Call 1-800-777-0133 to confirm whether your appointment is still in the system. If it's not, you'll need to book a new one.

If you never received a confirmation number after booking, check your spam or junk email folder. If it's not there, call the DMV with your driver's license number and they can provide it over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can try, but changes made within 24 hours may not process through the online system in time. Use the phone line (1-800-777-0133) or go in person to a DMV office for same-day or next-day changes. Staff can confirm the change immediately rather than waiting for the system to update.

What if I need to change my appointment but the DMV website is down?

Call 1-800-777-0133 during business hours. If the phone line is also unavailable, visit a DMV office in person. You can also wait for the website to come back online — there's no penalty for a delayed change as long as you contact the DMV before your appointment time.

Do I have to change my appointment, or can I just cancel it?

You can cancel without rebooking. There's no fee or consequence. However, you'll lose your reserved time slot, and you'll need to book a new appointment later if you still need the service. During peak times, the next available slot might be several weeks out.

Can I change my appointment to a different DMV office location?

Yes. When you reschedule online or by phone, you can select a different office from the list of available locations. Keep in mind that some offices have longer wait times or fewer available slots than others, so your new date and time may be different from what you'd get at your original location.

What if I booked my appointment through a third-party website, not dmv.ca.gov?

Contact the website or service where you booked. Third-party appointment services have their own change and cancellation policies, which may differ from the official DMV system. Check your confirmation email for contact information or instructions specific to that service.