How to Get Your License When You're New to California


Welcome to the Golden State, a land of great wine, famous celebs and eternally perfect weather. It’s a wonderful place to call home!

As a new resident of California, one of the things you need to think about is getting your new license. We know spending your day at the DMV is the last thing you want to do and Aceable wants to help make that process as easy as possible. That’s why we wrote this handy how-to guide for getting your license here in California. Read on!

How to Get a Drivers License After Moving to California 

If you’re already a licensed driver in another state you don’t have to start from square one after moving to California. But you will need to get a California drivers license to keep cruising legally.

Once you’ve established yourself as a California resident (this may include registering to vote, paying in-state college tuition or filing for homeowner property tax exemption), you must apply for a California drivers license within 10 days (see below).

The good news is that’s all you have to do. You won’t have to retake the drivers test if your current drivers license is still valid.

How to Apply for a New California Drivers License

California residents that have never gotten a drivers license before have to jump through a few more hoops. Luckily, the process isn’t too complicated and you can complete some of the steps online.

1. Schedule an Appointment

The DMV is notorious for its long lines. If you have nothing better to do you can just show up and wait in line, or you can save time and make an appointment with your local DMV. Appointments can be scheduled for in-office tests and the behind-the-wheel driving test.

2. Complete the Driver License Application

Before your appointment you’ll need to fill out the Driver License or Identification Card Application (Form DL-44). This form is available at DMV offices, but you can save yourself some time by filling the application out online. Once you arrive at the DMV office for your appointment a representative will be able to verify that the form is completed properly. 

3. Provide Your Personal Information

The California DMV wants to make sure you are who you say you are. For that reason, you’ll have to provide personal information to verify your identity. To get a California drivers license you’ll need to provide:

4. Fingerprints and Photos

Be prepared to have your thumbprint and photo taken. The photo will be used on your drivers license for identification purposes. The fingerprint scan helps to verify identity and will be kept on record. 

5. Pay the License Fee

Becoming a licensed California driver is priceless, but the California DMV does charge a fee. Before you can take the written test you’ll have to pay the $37 fee. The fee buys you three attempts at the written knowledge test and driving test over 12 months.

6. Take the Vision Exam

Seeing is a pretty big part of driving safely. Every applicant will need to take a vision exam before being issued a drivers license. You’ll need to have 20/40 vision or better (with or without contacts/glasses). Vision is tested in each eye individually and together. The California DMV uses the Snellen chart or Optec 1000 Vision Tester to conduct the vision test.

7. Pass the Written Test

Now it’s go-time! Once the steps above are complete you can take the written permit test, which consists of approximately 36 questions. You will get three chances to pass this test. If you’re unsuccessful after three attempts you’ll have to reapply and pay the application fee again.

8. Get Your License (or Permit)

If you are simply getting a California drivers license to replace one from another state and are over 18 years old you’re done! You’ll get an interim paper drivers license that can be used for 90 days while you wait on your photo drivers license to come through the mail. It will usually show up within 60 days. If it doesn’t show up after a few months you can call 1-800-777-0133 for a status update.

If you’ve never had a drivers license before then move on to the next step.

9. Pass the Driving Test

The final step is passing the driving test. This is a must for all first-time California license holders no matter how old you are. You’ll need to provide an insured vehicle for the test and it must be deemed safe. A safety inspection will be done before the test begins. 

After the safety inspection, you’ll be asked to demonstrate arm signals for turning, slowing, and stopping. Once that’s done the driving portion of the test will begin. The examiner will give you instructions on what to do as you drive. All the while the examiner is quietly keeping track of everything on a score sheet. You’ll either get a satisfactory score (yay!) or an unsatisfactory score.

Once you return to the DMV you’ll find out if you passed or not. The examiner will review the score sheet with you noting any mistakes that were made.

If you don’t pass the driving test on your first attempt don’t worry. You can take it again (minors must wait two weeks), and you’ll be even better prepared. There is a $7 fee to retake the driving test. 

If You’re Under 18 Years Old . . . 

Young drivers will need to complete a few extra steps to get a license. For starters, you’ll be applying for a provisional permit. Getting a provisional permit requires a parent signature on the DL 44 in addition to the other documents noted above. If both parents have custody then both parents need to sign.

Another thing you’ll need is either a certificate of completion from a California driver education provider or proof that you are currently enrolled in a driver training. Behind-the-wheel training must consist of at least 50 hours of drive time. Ten of those hours have to be at night.

An instructional permit isn’t valid unless you participate in driver training. During the permit period, you can’t drive alone. After six months of driving with another licensed California driver that’s 25 years old or older you can take the driving test to get a drivers license.

That’s it! Once you have completed all of the requirements and passed the driving test you’ll be issued a California drivers license. Now you’ll need to keep driving safe to avoid getting tickets or points on your license. If you do have a mishap attending California traffic school will get you back on track!


*This article was updated on 5/7/2020

Krista Doyle