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my CA drivers license has been expired since the end of 2008, do i need to re take the written test & the driving test again when i renew my license?
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my CA drivers license has been expired since the end of 2008, do i need to re take the written test & the driving test again when i renew my license?

Most likely. Any more than a year, and it is retest time.
If your license has expired, it is illegal for you to drive. Good news is that there are no late fees to renew your license in California. While no financial penalties, you may still be cited by a police officer for driving with an expired driver license and it’s still an inconvenience as you could have just renewed it by mail or even online. Use an app for your phone that will keep track of all your documents and remind you when they’re going to expire.
If you are a commercial driver and your license has been expired over two years, you will need to also take a driving test in the type of commercial vehicle you will be driving.