California ID card cost in 2026
California ID card costs $11 to $40 per ID card in 2026, and most people pay about $40.
What moves the price
- The regular fee is $40 for most adults.
- People who meet income rules can pay a reduced fee of $11.
- People age 62 and older get a senior ID card with no fee.
- The same fee applies to a new card, a renewal and a replacement.
- A change of information on the card also uses the same fee.
- Where you live. Prices in big cities usually run higher than in small towns.
What is included
The range is per ID card (age under 62). The fee covers the card for the application, renewal, replacement or a change of information. A regular card is valid for 6 years. A senior card is valid for 8 years.
California DMV ID card fees
| Card | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular ID card | $40 |
| Reduced fee ID card | $11 |
| Senior citizen ID card (age 62+) | No fee |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: California DMV.
Ways to pay less
- People on certain assistance programs can ask for the reduced $11 card with form DL 937.
- People age 62 or older can get the ID card for no fee.
- People who meet the homeless definition can get a card for no fee.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
- California DMV: Licensing Fees
- California DMV: Licensing Fees (alternate link)
- DMV.org: California ID Cards
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
California ID card costs $11 to $40 per ID card in 2026, and most people pay about $40. Most people pay about $40 per ID card. The low end is $11 and the high end is $40.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: The regular fee is $40 for most adults; People who meet income rules can pay a reduced fee of $11; People age 62 and older get a senior ID card with no fee.
How can I pay less?
People on certain assistance programs can ask for the reduced $11 card with form DL 937. People age 62 or older can get the ID card for no fee. People who meet the homeless definition can get a card for no fee.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 3 named price guides: California DMV, California DMV, DMV.org. Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
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