Got a ‘Retake Your Test’ Letter From the DMV? It’s Real — and Here’s What to Do

Who has to retake their driver’s test?

If you took your California written driver’s license tests between July 2025 and April 2026, look out for a letter.

The DMV says about 11,000 people across the state who took the exam during that period will have to retake the test.

The affected licenses don’t appear to be isolated to one region — people from Los Angeles to San Francisco have taken to social media to say they’re headed to the DMV.

Why is the DMV making me take my test again?

The DMV initially kept it vague — only saying that  they identified “anomalies” in “certain” test results.

This week, though, the agency said it flagged the results after finding irregularities that “may indicate instances of cheating.”

These irregularities are “test taker related,” according to the DMV, “and not the result of an internal DMV technical issue, or involvement of artificial intelligence.”

I got a DMV letter. Am I in trouble?

If you got a notice, don’t panic. The DMV said that it’s not  a final determination that cheating occurred, but only that your test result was identified as “potentially problematic.”

The agency didn’t offer any specifics about how test takers might have cheated, but it said multiple cases have been turned over to county district attorneys for prosecution.

Several state lawmakers have also sent the DMV letters asking for more details on the nature of any cheating.

Do I have to retake the practical test or just the written test?

Don’t worry, you won’t have to get graded on your actual driving behind the wheel.

But that’s not to say you shouldn’t brush up on the rules of the road ahead of retaking your written test. Some people online say they failed the exam when they went in for their retest and had their license revoked. Jump straight to: How to study for your DMV retest.

How do I retake the test, and how fast do I have to do it?

You’ll have to make an appointment online for an in-person test.

The letters mailed out include a QR code that you can scan with your cell phone camera, which will route you directly to a page on the DMV website that has a “reevaluation” sign-up link.

If you’d rather go to the site on a computer or in your internet browser, click on the “Appointments” page at dmv.ca.gov and look for the “knowledge test reevaluation” button.

But be warned: the letters say that you need to retake the exam within 30 days of the date the notice was issued, located in the top left corner, to keep your California driver’s license.

Do I have to make a DMV appointment to retake my test, and what do I need to bring with me?

Yes. The letter says appointments are required for the reevaluation.

When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring a copy of the notice requiring reevaluation, as well as your driver’s license card, temporary license, or instruction permit, whichever you have.

What if there are no available DMV appointments near me to retake the test within 30 days?

A spokesperson for the DMV told KQED that there have been “no known issues getting [appointments]” and plenty are available. A DMV that’s further away from you may have more appointments available.

What if I fail my retest? Can I take the test again?

Some people who have gone in for the reevaluation say they’ve failed and had their physical driver’s licenses taken by the DMV. They were able to reapply, retake the written test, and be issued a new temporary license within days — still with no road test needed.

It could be worthwhile to study up before your appointment (or just test your knowledge if you’re just curious how you’d hypothetically perform, like this reporter). The DMV provides sample tests in multiple languages, and proficient Googlers may also be able to find apparent sample questions online via sites that are not affiliated with the DMV.

What happens if I don’t retake the test within 30 days?

Your license will be canceled — which means you cannot drive. It also means that your license will not be a valid form of identification.

If your license does lapse, the DMV says you are eligible to immediately reapply. It’s not clear if you would need to retake the road test in that case.