California driver's license and ID for new residents

Step 1 — Know when you need a California license

Visitors over 18 with a valid license from their home state or country may drive in California without a California license, as long as that license stays valid (DMV — FFDL 5).

Residents are different. “If you become a California resident, you must get a California DL within 10 days,” the DMV says (DMV — FFDL 5). The DMV’s page for new residents says you are a California resident if you intend to live in the state for six months or more in one year. Its examples of intent to reside that often apply to newcomers: you are employed in California, you rent a property in California and it is your primary residence, you have dependents who attend a primary or secondary school in California, or you are present in California for six months or longer within a 12-month period and are not just visiting (DMV — New to California). The 10-day limit is in the state’s Vehicle Code, which ties residency to your “state of domicile” — your true, fixed and permanent home (California Vehicle Code § 12505). If you’re unsure when you became a resident, ask the DMV.

Teens aged 16 or 17 with a valid license from another country may drive in California for at most ten days, unless they meet the DMV’s extra conditions (DMV).

Step 2 — Choose your card

• Driver’s license (DL): lets you drive; carry it whenever you do (DMV).
• ID card: proves your identity or age but doesn’t let you drive (DMV — ID Cards). People 62 or older can get a no-fee senior ID card (DMV — ID Cards).
• REAL ID or standard: a California REAL ID is optional and is marked with a golden bear and a star; a standard card reads “Federal Limits Apply” (DMV — What Is REAL ID?). A first REAL ID requires a DMV office visit (DMV — What Is REAL ID?).

Who can get a standard or REAL ID card

Any Californian who can prove current legal presence in the U.S. with an accepted document (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens). The DMV’s examples include green card holders, DACA and TPS recipients, and holders of a valid student or employment visa (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens). With a temporary legal status, the card expires on the same date as your legal presence document, and you can get a new one once your status is extended (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens).

AB 60 license, if you can’t prove legal presence

California offers driver’s licenses for all residents, regardless of immigration status (DMV Handbook). AB 60 licenses are for people who can’t provide proof of legal presence but meet DMV requirements and can prove their identity and California residency; the AB 60 Checklist lists the documents, and without the right ones a “Secondary Review” is required (DMV — AB 60). AB 60 applicants can’t get a REAL ID (DMV), and the DMV currently says California law doesn’t allow an ID card for people who are not legally present (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens). This guide doesn’t give legal advice; for status questions, see free immigration legal help.

Step 3 — Gather your documents

1. Identity and legal presence. For identity, the DMV accepts only originals or certified copies (DMV — FFDL 5). For non-citizens, its REAL ID list includes an unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and an approved I-94, a valid green card, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and documents showing TPS eligibility (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens). The standard-card list is longer and includes refugee and asylee documents (DMV — DL 1144). If your current name differs from your identity document, bring a name change document such as a marriage certificate (DMV — DL 1144).

Your legal presence document must be valid for at least 30 days to start an application, and for at least 60 days from the application date to receive a photo card (DMV — Limited Term).

2. Your SSN. If you have one, the law requires it on your application (DMV — Application). If you are legally present but not eligible for an SSN, you are exempt (DMV — DL 1144). If you’re eligible but don’t have one yet, the DMV tells you to contact the Social Security Administration (DMV — FFDL 5). See getting a Social Security number.

3. Proof that you live in California. You need one residency document for a standard card, and photocopies are accepted (DMV — DL 1144); a REAL ID needs two (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens). The DMV’s list includes documents a newcomer often has early (DMV — DL 1144):

• a rental or lease agreement signed by the landlord and the tenant;
• a home utility bill, including a cell phone bill;
• bank or credit union records;
• employment, school, medical or insurance documents;
• a letter on letterhead from your employer, a nonprofit, a faith-based organization or a government office saying you live in California.

Each document must show your first and last name and the same address as your application (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens). If the bills are in your spouse’s or parent’s name, a marriage or birth certificate can connect you to that person (DMV — Non-U.S. Citizens). See also: renting your first apartment, opening a bank account and phone and internet setup.

Step 4 — Apply online, then book your visit

1. Fill in the online Driver’s License / ID Card Application (the DMV also calls it eDL44) (DMV — Application). You need a DMV online account with two-factor sign-in, using an email address and a phone (DMV — Application). It takes about 9 minutes and is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese (DMV — Application).
2. For a REAL ID, upload your documents and bring the originals to your visit (DMV — Application). Keep the confirmation number you get by email (DMV — Application). The application is stored for up to one year and processed only when you visit a DMV office (DMV — Application).
3. Book a visit online on the DMV’s appointments page or at 1-800-777-0133 (DMV — FFDL 5). Need an interpreter? Say so when you call; the visit is set when one is available (DMV — Interpreters).

Step 5 — At the DMV: documents, vision and knowledge test

At the office, you give your SSN, show your documents, pay the fee, have your thumbprint scanned, take a vision exam, have your photo taken and take the knowledge test (DMV). The application and fee are valid for 12 months (DMV). The DMV checks your legal presence document electronically with USCIS (DMV — Limited Term). If it can’t, it sends USCIS a copy and gives you a temporary license after you pass all your tests (DMV — Limited Term).

The knowledge test is multiple choice (DMV Handbook). You get three attempts and can’t use aids such as the handbook or a phone (DMV Handbook). Tests aren’t given after 4:30 p.m. (DMV — Learner’s Permits). To prepare in your language:

• the DMV’s AB 60 page says the test is available in more than 40 languages (DMV — AB 60);
• the handbook comes in English, Armenian, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese (DMV — Handbooks), and free sample tests in nine languages and ASL (DMV — Sample Tests).

Step 6 — Pass the drive test

• With a license from another country, you follow the same steps and must also pass a drive test, by appointment only (DMV).
• If you have never had a license, you get an instruction permit first, then take the drive test when you’re ready (DMV). Practice with a California-licensed driver who is at least 18 (DMV Handbook).
• Bring a vehicle that is safe to drive, valid proof of insurance and the registration (DMV Handbook). A rental car’s contract must list you and must not exclude drive tests (DMV Handbook). With a foreign license, you also need an accompanying driver to and from the test (DMV).
• During the test, automated parking and similar driver assistance features aren’t allowed; an interpreter can help only in the pre-drive check (DMV Handbook).
• Three tries. Your fee covers three attempts; a retest costs extra (DMV).

Car and insurance: see buying and insuring a car.

Step 7 — Get your card and keep it current

• Paper first. After your tests, you may get a paper interim or temporary license valid for up to 60 days, while the card comes by mail (DMV — FFDL 5). No card after 60 days? Call 1-800-777-0133 (DMV — FFDL 5).
• Moving? Tell the DMV your new address within ten days (DMV Handbook). USCIS has its own rule: see change of address for USCIS and USPS.
• Status extended? A limited-term card needs a new legal presence document valid 60 or more days from the day you apply (DMV — Limited Term).
• Bringing a car? You have 20 days to register it after you become a resident or get a job in California (DMV Handbook).