What you need before you start
California requires you to pass a written test, a driving test, and a vision test before you get your license. You will also need to bring specific documents to prove your identity and California residency. The whole process — from your first visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to passing your driving test — typically takes several weeks, though you can get a temporary license the day you pass your driving test.
You must be at least 16 years old to get a learner's permit, and at least 17 to get a full driver's license (or 16 if you completed an approved driver education course). If you are under 18, you will have restrictions on when and where you can drive for the first year.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Social Security number, proof of California residency (like a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity (like a passport or birth certificate) before you visit the DMV.
- Start by getting a learner's permit, which requires passing a written test at the DMV; you can then practice driving with a licensed adult in the car.
- After holding your permit for at least six months (or one month if you are 18 or older), you can schedule a driving test at the DMV.
- You will receive a temporary paper license when ready after passing your driving test; your plastic card arrives by mail within two weeks.
Documents you must bring to the DMV
Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work. You need one document that proves your identity (a U.S. passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card, or foreign passport with a valid visa), one document that proves you live in California (a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
If you are under 18, you also need a parent or guardian to sign your process in person at the DMV. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your ITIN and an explanation letter from the Social Security Administration stating why you do not have one.
Bring your current out-of-state license if you have one. If you are renewing a California license that expired more than five years ago, you will need to start over with a new process rather than a renewal.
Getting your learner's permit
Visit your local DMV office with your documents and ask for a learner's permit process (Form DL 44). You will pay a fee (currently $35 for a permit, though this varies and you should check the DMV website for the current amount). The DMV will take your photograph and have you sign the process.
You will then take a written test on California traffic laws and road signs. The test has 46 questions; you must answer at least 38 correctly to pass. You can take the test in English or in one of several other languages. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day at no extra cost.
Once you pass the written test, you will take a vision test. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. You must be able to see at least 20/40 in each eye (with correction if needed). If you fail the vision test, the DMV will refer you to an eye doctor; you cannot get your permit until you pass.
You will receive your learner's permit when ready. It is valid for 12 months. With a permit, you can drive only when a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old is sitting next to you in the front seat.
Practicing and preparing for your driving test
California requires you to hold your learner's permit for at least six months before you can take your driving test (one month if you are 18 or older). Use this time to practice with a licensed adult. There is no minimum number of hours required by state law, but the DMV recommends at least 50 hours of practice, with at least 10 hours at night.
You can practice on any public road except freeways. Your supervising driver must be at least 25 years old and hold a valid driver's license. If you are under 18, you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (with limited exceptions for school, work, or medical emergencies).
When you are ready, schedule your driving test online through the DMV website or by calling your local DMV office. Tests are often booked weeks in advance, so schedule early. Bring your learner's permit, proof of California residency, and the vehicle you will use for the test.
Taking your driving test
The driving test lasts about 20 minutes. The examiner will ask you to perform basic maneuvers: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and backing up. You will also drive on local streets. The examiner is looking for safe driving habits — smooth steering, proper use of mirrors, correct signaling, and following traffic laws.
You must bring the vehicle you practiced in. It must be clean enough for the examiner to see out the windows, have working brakes, steering, lights, and wipers, and have a valid registration and proof of insurance. If the vehicle does not meet these requirements, you will not be allowed to test.
If you fail, you can retake the test. There is no waiting period between attempts, though you will need to pay the test fee again (currently $20, though check the DMV website for current amounts). Most people pass on their second or third attempt.
After you pass your driving test
You will receive a temporary paper license when ready after you pass. This is valid for 60 days and allows you to drive alone. Your permanent plastic license card will arrive by mail within two weeks. Keep your temporary license with you while you drive — it is proof that you are licensed.
If you are under 18, your new license will have restrictions: you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (except for school, work, or medical reasons), and you cannot have more than one passenger under 20 years old in the car (unless they are family members). These restrictions lift when you turn 18.
Your California driver's license is valid for five years if you are under 70, and four years if you are 70 or older. You can renew it online, by mail, or in person at the DMV starting 60 days before it expires.
If you already have a license from another state
If you have a valid out-of-state license, you can exchange it for a California license without taking the driving test again. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of California residency, and proof of identity to the DMV. You will still take the written test and vision test, and you will pay the license fee.
If your out-of-state license is expired, the rules depend on how long it has been expired. If it expired less than five years ago, you can usually renew it as a transfer. If it expired more than five years ago, you will need to take the full driving test as if you were a new driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test online?
No. You must take the written test in person at a DMV office. However, you can study for it online using the DMV's free practice tests on their website, which cover the same material as the real test.
What happens if I fail the driving test?
You can retake it as soon as you want — there is no waiting period. You will need to pay the test fee again and bring the same vehicle and documents. Most people pass within two or three attempts.
Do I need to take a driver education course?
No, it is not required for adults. If you are under 18, completing an approved driver education course lets you get your license at 16 instead of 17, and shortens the permit-holding period from six months to one month.
How much does a California driver's license cost?
Costs vary depending on what you are getting. A learner's permit costs around $35, a driving test costs around $20, and a new license costs around $39. Check the DMV website for exact current amounts, as fees change.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring your ITIN documentation and a letter from the Social Security Administration explaining why you do not have a Social Security number.