All California residents must have a valid California driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. Application requirements vary based on your individual situation (see below).
situation #1: “never had a dl.”
If you are over the age of 18 and have never owned a dl in any state or country, you may be able to obtain an instruction permit until you are ready to take your driving test.
A provisional instruction permit is only for drivers under the age of 18. an instruction permit will be issued to a person over the age of 18.
once you complete the instruction permit requirements, you can take the driving test to get a california dl.
Situation #2: “I have a driver’s license issued by another state.”
This is how you apply for a California driver’s license if you already have a valid driver’s license issued by another state:
- fill out an application for a driver license or identification card (dl/id).
- visit a dmv office, where you will need to:
- provide your insurance number social security (ssn) .
- Prove your identity with an acceptable identity document (original or certified copy) for an ID card/dl/dl that does not meet federal requirements or meets real identification. Your current name must match the name on the ID (see FAQ below for more information).
- Submit acceptable residency documents (if you have never had a California DL/ID) .
- pay the non-refundable application fee (application and fee are valid for 12 months).
- scan your fingerprint.
- pass an exam of sight.
- have your picture taken.
- pass the knowledge test(s). You are allowed three attempts to pass each of the required knowledge tests. if you fail the same test three times, your application is no longer valid and you will need to reapply. to allow sufficient testing time, we do not administer knowledge tests within 30 minutes of closing.
situation #3: “I have a dl issued by another country.”
if you have a dl issued by another country, follow the application process mentioned above for “i have a dl issued by another state”.
You will also need to pass a driving test to get an original california dl.
to take your driving test:
- schedule a driving test appointment (driving tests are not given without an appointment).
- provide proof of financial responsibility (insurance) that meets or exceeds insurance requirements from California.
Your application fee allows you three attempts to pass the driving test. If you fail the road test, you must schedule a new road test for another day and pay a $7 retest fee. If you fail the road test three times, your application is no longer valid and you must reapply.
Situation #4: “I am not eligible for a driver’s license, but I can prove lawful presence in California.”
Any Californian who can prove current lawful presence in the United States (USA) with one of the accepted identity documents (original or certified copy) is eligible to receive a standard or Real ID driver’s license or a identification (dl/id) card. this includes all of us non-us citizens, permanent residents citizens (green card holders), and those with temporary legal status, such as recipients of deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and holders of a valid student or work visa. For californians with temporary legal status, your dl/id card will expire depending on your immigration status, it will expire on the same date as your us identification card. uu. legal presence document, and they can receive a new card with a documented extension of their legal status.
view the full list of acceptable identity documents for an id/dl/dl card that does not meet federal requirements or meet actual identification.
There are many other ways to prove you are lawfully present in the United States:
- if you were born in the usa. usa, can provide usa certificate uu. birth certificate, passport, or passport card.
- if you are an immigrant in the us. In the US, you can provide a US ID card. citizen naturalization or citizenship document, or a permanent resident card.
- if you are not an immigrant, but authorized to be in the us. In the US, you can present a temporary resident identification card or other temporary resident documentation.
your dl will remain valid until the expiration date printed on the card.
if you no longer hold the us. legal presence, you can convert your dl to an ab 60 dl.