DMV says temporary licenses will be valid for 90 days

With thousands of California drivers unable to renew their licenses before they expire because of glitches with the new high-tech format, the Department of Motor Vehicles has announced that temporary licenses will be sent to all affected drivers and will be valid for 90 instead of 60 days.

About 250,000 California motorists have not received their new licenses in time since Oct. 1, with some waiting months for them to be processed. The state estimates that the backlog is now down to 5,000 but acknowledges that it may be April 1 before everyone has a permanent license.

Temporary licenses were previously valid for 60 days and were issued only in DMV field offices. But anyone renewing a license online, by mail or in person will now get a temporary license good for three months.

DMV Director George Valverde said his agency was "aware of the inconveniences that California drivers are experiencing while they wait for their new licenses." He said he hopes extending temporary licenses will "lessen any negative impact so that Californians can continue their daily lives without interruption."

Problems with the licenses have included smudges, blurry photos, incorrect colors and cards that cannot be read correctly.

While happy that action is taking place, drivers expressed growing frustration with the delay.

"It's been 6 1/2 months and I still have no California picture ID," said Mark O'Hara, of Portola Valley, who is on his

third extension since August. "That's got to be a record."

The new cards come equipped with several features to protect them against fraud, tampering and counterfeiting. Valverde called them among the most secure identification documents in the country.

The DMV said the temporary extensions will be recognized by police and the California Highway Patrol, as well as several federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration. Car rental agencies will also accept the temporary license extensions.

And, said the DMV, when drivers renew their licenses, their records are updated within five business days, regardless of when they actually receive their new licenses. So if stopped by police with an expired license, they should be OK.

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Renew your driver's license or identification card early. You should receive your renewal notice up to 60 days before the expiration date.

Check the expiration date on your temporary license. About a week before it is due to expire, call the DMV if you haven't received your new license yet. The DMV will extend your temporary license and mail you a new one.

Keep your temporary license along with your old driver's license.

Motorists who have experienced delays of six weeks or longer should call 800-777-0133 or e-mail loddlidsp@dmv.ca.gov to obtain assistance with license renewal. Provide your full name, date of renewal and any two of the following: street address, driver's license number or date of birth. Include a telephone number or e-mail address.

Cinthia Moura Alice Dodd Saira Mohan Halle Berry Missy Peregrym