Documents and information the DMV requires

To get a California learner's permit, 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 permit without these three things, so check that you have them before you go to the office.

Proof of identity means a document with your photo and signature — a passport, a consulate-issued ID, a military ID, or a tribal ID all work. If you do not have a photo ID, you can bring two documents that show your name and date of birth, such as a birth certificate and a school record. Your identity document must be current or expired no more than five years ago.

Proof of residency means a document showing your California address from within the last six months. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all count. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you live with someone else and cannot get a document in your own name, you can bring a signed letter from the person whose name is on the document, plus your ID.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring proof of identity (a photo ID or two documents with your name and birth date), proof of California residency from the last six months, and your Social Security number or ITIN.
  • Your identity document can be expired, but only if it expired within the last five years.
  • If you cannot get a residency document in your own name, bring a signed letter from the person whose name appears on the document, plus your ID.
  • You will take a written test on traffic laws and road signs at the DMV office, so studying the California Driver Handbook beforehand helps you pass on your first try.
  • You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to get a learner's permit in California.

Age requirement and when you can take the test

You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to take the learner's permit test. The DMV will check your birth date against your identity document, so bring the document that shows when you were born. If you are not yet 15 and a half, the DMV will turn you away.

There is no upper age limit — adults can get a learner's permit at any age. If you are under 18, you will also need a parent or guardian to sign a consent form at the DMV office. Bring the adult with you, or bring a signed form if they cannot come in person. The form is called the "Instruction Permit process" (DL 44), and the DMV provides it at the office.

The written test: what to study and how it works

At your DMV appointment, you will take 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 can take the test in English or in one of 32 other languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean.

The DMV provides a free study guide called the California Driver Handbook, available online at the DMV website and in print at any DMV office. The test questions come directly from this handbook, so reading it before your appointment is the most direct way to prepare. Many people pass on their first try after studying the handbook for a few days.

If you do not pass, you can retake the test the same day or come back another time. There is no fee to retake the test. You do not have to bring new documents the second time — the DMV keeps your information on file.

Vision screening at the DMV office

When you arrive at the DMV, you will take a vision test before you sit for the written exam. The test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you — the DMV tests your vision with the correction you actually use.

If you do not pass the vision test, the DMV will not issue a permit that day. You can go to an eye doctor, get a new prescription if needed, and come back to the DMV with a vision test form signed by the doctor. The form is called a "Report of Vision Examination" (DL 62), and your eye doctor will know what it is.

Fees and payment methods

The learner's permit costs $35 as of 2024, though the DMV updates fees periodically. Bring cash, a debit card, or a credit card — the DMV accepts all three. If you cannot pay the fee on the day of your appointment, you cannot get the permit, so plan ahead.

If you are a low-income California resident, you may be able to get a fee reduction or waiver. Ask the DMV staff when you arrive whether you may have access to. Requirements vary, so the staff can tell you what documents to bring if you think you might be may be able to access.

What happens after you pass

Once you pass the written test and the vision screening, the DMV will issue your learner's permit on the spot. Your permit is valid for one year from the date it is issued. You can begin driving with a licensed adult in the car right away — you do not have to wait for anything to arrive in the mail.

Your permit shows your photo, your name, your date of birth, and the date it expires. Keep it with you whenever you drive. When your permit is about to expire, you can take the behind-the-wheel driving test to get your provisional driver's license, or you can renew your permit if you need more time to prepare.

Documents you do not need to bring

You do not need a Social Security card itself — you just need to know your number. If you have an ITIN instead of a Social Security number, that works too. You do not need to bring your birth certificate unless it is your only form of ID. You do not need proof of insurance, a vehicle registration, or a vehicle title — those are for the driving test, not the permit.

You also do not need to bring a completed process form. The DMV staff will fill out the DL 44 form with you at the office, so you can bring it filled out or blank — either way works.

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. If you do not have either number, contact the DMV office in your area to ask about other options.

Can I take the test in a language other than English?

Yes. The DMV offers the test in 32 languages besides English, including Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, and Arabic. Tell the DMV staff which language you want when you check in, and they will give you the test in that language.

What if my residency document is older than six months?

The DMV will not accept it. Bring a document dated within the last six months. If you just moved and do not have a recent document yet, ask the DMV what other proof they will take — some offices accept a lease agreement or a signed letter from a landlord even if it is older.

Do I need to make an appointment, or can I just walk in?

Most DMV offices require an appointment. You can book one online at the DMV website or by calling your local office. Walk-ins are usually not taken unless the office has same-day availability, which varies by location.

What if I fail the written test?

You can retake it the same day or come back another time at no extra cost. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it. Most people pass after studying the California Driver Handbook for a few days.