The 2018 redesign brought a new look, but the license types stayed the same

California issued a redesigned driver license starting in 2018. The card itself looks different — it has a new layout, security features, and a vertical or horizontal format depending on your age — but the license types (Class C, Class D, and so on) and the rules for getting them did not change. If you were may be able to access for a license before 2018, you are still may be able to access under the same rules today.

The main visible change is the card design. The 2018 license has a larger photo, a different color scheme, and updated security features to prevent counterfeiting. The state also began issuing vertical licenses to drivers under 21 and horizontal licenses to drivers 21 and older, making age verification easier at a glance.

If your license was issued before 2018, it is still valid until its expiration date. You do not have to replace it just because of the design change. However, when you renew, you will receive the 2018 design.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2018 redesign changed only the card's appearance and security features, not the license types or may be able to access rules.
  • Vertical licenses go to drivers under 21; horizontal licenses go to drivers 21 and older, making age easier to verify.
  • Pre-2018 licenses remain valid until expiration and do not need to be replaced for the new design.
  • When you renew your license, you will automatically receive the updated 2018 card design.

What the 2018 card looks like

The redesigned license is larger than the old version and includes a full-color photo that takes up more of the card. The background has a new color and pattern, and the state seal and security features are repositioned. The card now displays your information in a clearer layout, with your name, address, and license number easier to read.

One of the most noticeable changes is the orientation. Drivers under 21 receive a vertical card (taller than it is wide), while drivers 21 and older receive a horizontal card (wider than it is tall). This design choice makes it straightforward for businesses to verify age without reading the birthdate — they can tell at a glance whether the card is vertical or horizontal.

The 2018 design also added new security features to prevent fraud and counterfeiting. These include microprinting, color-shifting ink, and other anti-tampering elements that are difficult to replicate.

When you will see the new design

If you received your license before 2018, your old card is still legal to use. You do not have to go to the DMV to swap it for the new design. The old license will work for all the same purposes — driving, identification, and age verification — until it expires.

When your license renewal date arrives, the DMV will issue you the 2018 design automatically. You do not have to request it or pay extra. If you renew online or by mail, you will still receive the new card in the mail.

If you lose your license or need a replacement before your renewal date, the DMV will issue the 2018 design when you request a duplicate.

License types did not change in 2018

The redesign affected only the card's appearance. The actual license types — Class C (regular passenger vehicle), Class B (commercial truck), Class A (tractor-trailer), and the various restricted licenses — remain the same. The rules for obtaining each type, the age requirements, and the testing process all stayed the same.

If you are working toward your first license or upgrading to a different class, the 2018 design change does not affect your path. You still follow the same steps: learner's permit, written test, behind-the-wheel test, and then full licensure.

How the vertical and horizontal formats work

The vertical format (portrait orientation) is issued to anyone under 21. This makes it when ready obvious to a police officer, bartender, or business owner that the cardholder is a minor, without having to read the birthdate. The vertical card is the same size as a standard credit card, just taller.

The horizontal format (landscape orientation) is issued to anyone 21 and older. It is wider than it is tall and also matches standard credit card dimensions. When you turn 21, you do not automatically receive a new card — you keep your vertical license until it expires or you renew it.

Some drivers who turned 21 before 2018 still carry vertical licenses from the old design. Those cards are still valid. The vertical-versus-horizontal distinction is a feature of the 2018 design, but it is not a requirement for older cards.

Renewing your license after 2018

When you renew your California driver license, the DMV sends you the 2018 design automatically. You do not choose the format or design — it is determined by your age at the time of renewal. If you are under 21, you get a vertical card. If you are 21 or older, you get a horizontal card.

Renewal can happen in person at a DMV office, online through the DMV website (if you meet certain requirements), or by mail. Whichever method you use, the new card will arrive by mail within a few weeks. The cost of renewal is the same regardless of the card design.

If you need to update your address, photo, or other information, you may need to renew in person rather than online or by mail. The DMV website will tell you which renewal options are available to you based on your current license status.

Replacing a lost or damaged license

If you lose your license or it becomes damaged, you can request a duplicate at any DMV office or through the DMV website. The replacement will be the 2018 design, regardless of when your original license was issued. There is a fee for a duplicate license, which varies depending on how you request it.

If you request a duplicate online, the new card will be mailed to you. If you go to a DMV office in person, you may be able to get a temporary paper license on the spot while you wait for the card to arrive by mail. The temporary license is valid for driving but is not accepted as a form of identification for age verification or other purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to replace my old license with the 2018 design?

No. Your old license remains valid until it expires. You only receive the 2018 design when you renew your license at its expiration date, or if you request a duplicate before then.

Why are some licenses vertical and some horizontal?

Vertical licenses are issued to drivers under 21, and horizontal licenses are issued to drivers 21 and older. This makes age verification faster — a business can tell your age group by the card's orientation without reading the birthdate.

If I turn 21, do I get a new horizontal license automatically?

No. You keep your vertical license until it expires or you renew it for another reason. When you do renew, you will receive a horizontal card. You do not have to go to the DMV just to change the card's orientation.

Can I renew my license online and still get the 2018 design?

Yes. Online renewal, mail renewal, and in-person renewal all result in the 2018 design. The method you choose does not affect which card design you receive.

What if my old license expires before I can get to the DMV?

You can renew online or by mail before your expiration date, and the new card will arrive by mail. If you need to drive before the card arrives, you can request a temporary paper license at a DMV office, though it is not accepted for age verification.