Documents and information you'll bring to the DMV

To get a California driver's license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of California residency, and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The DMV will not issue a license without these three things, so gathering them before you go saves a trip.

For proof of identity, bring a document that shows your name, date of birth, and a photo. A U.S. passport, passport card, or trusted traveler card (like NEXUS or SENTRI) all work. If you don't have a passport, you can bring a certified birth certificate plus a document with your photo — a school ID, military ID, or employee badge. Some people bring both a birth certificate and a Social Security card to cover identity and Social Security proof at once.

For proof of California residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and a California address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all count. A cell phone bill works if it shows your name and address. You need only one document, but it must be recent.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring a photo ID (passport, birth certificate plus photo ID, or military ID), proof of California residency from the last 60 days, and your Social Security number or ITIN.
  • You must pass a written test on California traffic laws and a driving test in your own vehicle or a DMV test vehicle.
  • The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices; you can study the California Driver Handbook online for free.
  • You will pay a fee at the time you explore; the amount depends on your age and license type, so check the DMV website for current pricing.
  • If you already have a valid driver's license from another state, you may not need to take the driving test again, but you still must pass the written test.

The written test and what it covers

Before you take the driving test, you must pass a written test on California traffic laws and road signs. The test has 36 questions, and you need to answer at least 30 correctly to pass. You get one chance per visit to the DMV, so if you fail, you schedule another appointment and try again.

The test covers right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, lane changes, and what different road signs mean. It also includes questions about driving under the influence, seat belt laws, and what to do at a red light or stop sign. The DMV publishes the California Driver Handbook online for free, and nearly every question on the test comes directly from it. Reading the handbook once is usually enough to pass.

You can take the test in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Russian. If you need the test in a different language, contact your local DMV office to ask what languages they offer.

The driving test and scheduling it

After you pass the written test, you schedule a driving test. The DMV will test you on basic vehicle control — starting, stopping, turning, parking, and backing up — and on your ability to follow traffic laws and respond to other drivers. The test usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and covers about 5 miles of city or highway driving.

You can take the test in your own vehicle or in a DMV test vehicle. If you use your own car, it must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The DMV inspector will check the brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and horn before the test starts. If anything is broken, the test is canceled and you reschedule.

If you already hold a valid driver's license from another U.S. state or territory, you may not need to take the driving test. You still must pass the written test and bring all your documents, but the DMV may waive the driving portion. Ask at your appointment whether you may have access to.

Fees and how long the process takes

The DMV charges a fee to issue a driver's license. The amount varies based on your age and how long the license is valid — a standard license for someone under 70 costs less than a license for someone over 70, because the older license expires sooner. Check the DMV website or call your local office for the exact fee, as it changes periodically.

You pay the fee when you explore, whether you pass the tests or not. If you fail the written test, you pay again when you reschedule. If you fail the driving test, you also pay again at your next appointment.

From the day you explore to the day you receive your license in the mail usually takes two to three weeks. The DMV mails a temporary paper license to you when ready after you pass both tests, and your plastic card arrives later. You can drive legally on the paper license while you wait for the card.

If you're under 18

If you're under 18, you must first get a learner's permit and hold it for at least six months before you can take the driving test. The permit requires the same documents as a license, plus written consent from a parent or guardian. You must pass the written test to get the permit.

While you hold the permit, you can drive only with a licensed adult age 25 or older in the front seat next to you. You cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 12 months you hold the permit. After six months with the permit and no traffic violations, you can schedule the driving test and explore for a full license.

If you're getting a license for the first time as an adult

If you're 18 or older and have never held a California driver's license, you do not need a learner's permit. You can go straight to the DMV, pass the written test, and schedule the driving test. You still need all the same documents — identity, residency, and Social Security number.

If you learned to drive in another country or state and have been driving legally there, tell the DMV at your appointment. Some states and countries have reciprocal agreements with California, which means the DMV may waive the driving test if you show a valid license from that place. You will still take the written test to learn California's specific laws.

What to do before your appointment

Gather your documents at least a few days before your appointment. Make copies of everything — identity, residency, and Social Security card — and bring the originals plus the copies. The DMV keeps the copies and returns the originals to you.

Study the California Driver Handbook. It's free online at the DMV website, and reading it takes about two hours. Focus on the sections on right-of-way, speed limits, and what road signs mean, because those topics appear most often on the test.

Schedule your appointment online through the DMV website or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Walk-in appointments are available at some offices, but you may wait several hours. Scheduling ahead is faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have a Social Security number?

You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring the same documents for identity and residency, plus your ITIN letter from the IRS. The DMV will issue a license with an ITIN.

Can I take the driving test in a borrowed car?

Yes, as long as the car is registered and insured. The registration and insurance must be in someone's name — it doesn't have to be yours. Bring proof of registration and insurance to your appointment. The car must also be in safe working condition, with working brakes, lights, wipers, and horn.

What happens if I fail the driving test?

You can reschedule and try again. There is no limit to how many times you can take it. You pay the fee again each time you reschedule. Most people pass on the second or third attempt after more practice.

Do I need to retake the written test if I already have a license from another state?

Yes. Even if the DMV waives the driving test, you must pass the California written test. California traffic laws differ from other states, and the DMV requires you to know them before you drive here.

How long is a California driver's license valid?

A standard license is valid for five years if you're under 70, and four years if you're 70 or older. You renew by mail, online, or in person at the DMV before the expiration date on your card.