Hello everyone,

I'll repost my post here so more people can take a look. Original post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CaliforniaDMV/comments/179tkqr/california_drivers_license_renewal_and_elearning/

I have renewed my DL recently, and I want to share my experience here because I did not find anything detailed about the eLearning part.

The eLearning method is NOT THE BEST WAY FOR EVERYONE!

-3 Methods

There are 3 methods to renew your driver's license. 1st, going to DMV the whole time; 2nd, doing online test then going to DMV; and 3rd, doing eLearning then going to DMV. You have to go to DMV anyway for the final steps. There could be eligible people that can do it totally online but I do not know who could be eligible.

-DMV

You need to apply online, fill your information such as your height, weight, eye color, your address, do you want to be an organ donor, and what class you want to apply, things like that. Then you go to DMV, either with or without an appointment, causing how long you wait for the window. This method costs you around $41. After you provide your confirmation code from online application and confirm all information is correct, you pay the fee in cash or card and get a receipt. Then you go to take photo and take test with your receipt. I tried some sample test online and failed twice, because of the wording and tricky choices like close numbers, 15, 20, 25 for example. But if you take a careful look on the handbook, you should be fine. So I quit because I did not have time to read the handbook then go to DMV and mainly I don't have time.

-Online to DMV

If the first method doesn't work for you, you can try taking the online test then go to DMV for information confirmation and photo. I did not do this part and I only know that you apply online, choose online test, pay around $41 too, do the protocol test on your desktop or laptop, then go to the DMV. If anyone knows the detail, please share in the comments.

-eLearning to DMV

If you have an application activated like I do, you need to go to DMV to cancel your application first otherwise you cannot apply for another renewal. After the old one is canceled, you can apply for another renewal. You do the same thing as other methods, filling your information, but choose the eLearning method. You pay around $41 as well. Then you will receive an email providing you the eLearning link. After you finish the eLearning, you can go to the DMV for photo.

-eLearning explained

I did not searched any detailed information online, so I want to show you here. There are several chapters (7 or 8 I don't remember very well), and 5 to 6 sections on each chapter. Every chapter includes different parts regarding to the classic test, and the chapters are related to the handbook. You will learn the rules by watching short videos, 1 to 2 minutes each. Once you finished the video, the section gets a checkmark. Once you get all checkmark, you finish eLearning. There will be a try out section and a quiz section in each chapter. The tryout section is about clicking the right choice or dragging the car to the right place. The quiz section includes around 3 questions. You will pass until You click the right choice with no limits. You will not fail eLearning until you keep clicking the wrong answer. It takes about 2 hours to finish the eLearning. You can quit anytime, and the progress will be saved.

Once you finish eLearning, you can take a screenshot but you don't have to. DMV will receive your result for passing and then process your application.

Here is why the eLearning method is not the best way for everyone. If you really are not familiar with the rules on the road, I recommend you read the handbook first. You NEED to figure out the rules to avoid pull-over when you drive.

If you think you are familiar with the rules, such as turning on turn signal lights when turning, slowing down to the right side of the road when hearing the siren, never turning on high beam unless needed, or waiting for 3 seconds at a stop sign, or other rules you followed in drive test, choosing eLearning can save you time at DMV, because you only need to take photo there.

-END

I hope everyone who needs to renew driver's license can have an easy and confident experience.