Welcome to GoDMV.com’s California DMV Information Guide. From this page you can choose from our menu of California online driver services or learn about a specific topic related to California driving.
Our California DMV Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) contain the following sections:
- California driver license information
- California vehicle registration
- California vehicle title issues
Choose from the menu now or read below for our California Driver Frequently Asked Questions.
The DMV, or “Department of Motor Vehicles,” is often the generic term used for the agency that enforced driver license laws in a State. The agency responsible for administering driver license laws in California is the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
California is one popular place - the warm weather and enticing atmosphere make it a hot spot for millions of people to live and visit every year. From LA to San Francisco, and everywhere in between, millions of drivers hit the California roadways every day. We've got all of the information you need to know about staying legal, both in terms of safety and emissions, and we've even got information on the minimum requirements for registration and insurance. Tired of California's 91 octane gas? Try moving to Arkansas!
Please use the information and frequently asked questions below to navigate at your convenience. Our goal is create a resource that will address your needs every time that you visit.
California DMV Driver’s License FAQs
- What agency in California provides driver licenses?
- What are the age requirements for getting an California driver’s permit or driver’s license (noncommercial) from the California DMV?
- What are the restrictions for an California driver’s permit or driver’s license?
- What are the prerequisites to getting a driver’s license in California from the California DMV (under age 18/over age 18)?
- What are the prerequisites for applying for a provisional instruction permit from the California DMV if I am under 18 years old?
- How long do I have to apply to the California DMV for a California Driver’s license after I move to California?
- How long will it take to get my California driver’s license from the California DMV after passing my driving test?
1.What agency in California provides driver licenses?
In California, the agency that provides driver’s licenses is the California Department of Motor Vehicles, also known as the California DMV.
2.What are the age requirements for getting an California driver’s permit or driver’s license (noncommercial) from the California DMV?
Provisional Instruction PermitsIn California, if you are 15 ½ years of age, you may apply to receive a provisional instruction permit from the California DMV.
Driver’s License In California, if you are 16 years of age and have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months, you can apply for a driver’s license. You will initially receive a Provisional Driver’s License.
When you turn 18 years old, the “provisional” status of your California driver’s license will end.
3.What are the restrictions for an California driver’s permit or driver’s license?
If you are under 18 in California, the following restrictions apply: California DMV Instructionl Permit Restrictions- You cannot be involved in a motor vehicle collision while driving
- While driving, you must have a parent, spouse, guardian, or adult who is 25 years old or older, who has a California driver license, in the car
- You are required to obey all traffic laws
- Before taking the driving test to get your California driver’s license from the California DMV, you must hold your permit for at least six (6) months
California DMV Provisional Driver License RestrictionsAs of January 1, 2006, a new law changes the length of time for two restrictions on your driver license, if you are under 18 years of age: - You are not permitted to transport passengers in a vehicle who are under the age of 20 unless you are accompanied by a guardian, instructor, parent or licensed driver who is older than 25 years of age
- You are not permitted to drive a vehicle between the hours of 11 pm and 5am
- The new restrictions apply for 12 months following the date printed on your California driver’s license to the left of your photograph.
Exceptions to RestrictionsThere are a number of exceptions to the restrictions: - If you are a minor, have no reasonable available transportation, and you must drive, Californa provides certain exceptions to allow driving between 11pm and 5am, or to permit you to transport an immediate family member if you are unaccompanied/unsupervised:
- Schooling or school-authorized activity. The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his/her designee.
- Medical necessity when reasonable transportation alternatives are inadequate. The note must be signed by your physician, and contain the diagnosis and probable date of recovery
- Employment necessity and the need to operate a vehicle as part of your employment. The note must be signed by your employer verifying employment.
- Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian.
*Note: For unemancipated minors to take advantage of these exceptions you must possess a signed note explaining the necessity and the date when the necessity will end. If you are an emancipated minor, you will not need this documentation, but you must have previously declared yourself emancipated and provided DMV with Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors’ signatures.
4.What are the prerequisites to getting a driver’s license in California from the California DMV (under age 18/over age 18)?
Obtaining a California Driver License from the California DMV if you are under 18 You must: - Have been in possession of an instruction permit issued by the California DMV for a minimum of 16 months
- Be 16 years old
- Have selected a driving school and completed the mandatory 6 hours of professional driver training
- Have completed, with an adult 25 years of age or older in your car who is licensed by the California DMV, 50 hours of driving practice. The adult must certify your 50 hours of practice driving. California law requires that at least 10 of the 50 hours of practice driving must have been at night.
- Take a driving test
- Obtain insurance, and be able to produce proof of insurance�"In accordance with California car insurance requirements�"before you take the driving exam
Obtaining a California Driver’s License from the California DMV if You are Over 18 You must: - Go to a California DMV Office
- Submit a complete a California Driver’s License Application (Form DL 44)
- Submit a thumb print
- Have your photograph taken
- Submit your social security number
- Verify your legal presence in the United States and birth date
- Provide your true full name
- Submit the required application fee
- Pass the vision test
- Pass the written traffic laws and sign test
- Pass driving test (after you provide proof of financial responsibility; insurance is a typical method)
(If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived. Please note restrictions on license if you have never been licensed before.) Note: if your current name is different than the one on your birth date and/or legal presence document, the California DMV will require you to show additional acceptable documents to establish true full name, such as: (a) marriage certificate, dissolution of marriage document, (c) adoption document, or (d) name change document.
5.What are the prerequisites for applying for a provisional instruction permit from the California DMV if I am under 18 years old?
Provisional Permit Prerequisites/RequirementsTo obtain a provisional instruction permit from the California DMV if you are under the age of 18, you must: - Satisfy the age requirement: be at least 15 ½, and under 18 years old
- Go to a DMV office
- Submit a completed original application form, which is called a form DL 44
- Submit your parents’ or guardians’ signatures on the DL44 application
- Submit a thumb print
- Have your photograph taken
- Submit your social security number
- Verify your legal presence and birth date
- Submit your true full name
- Submit forms for driver training and/or driver education
- Submit the required application fee
- Pass the required vision test
- Pass a written traffic law and sign test
Requirements for Driver Education and Driver Training FormsIf you are 15 ½ to 17 ½ years old, you must provide proof: (a)that you completed driver education and are taking driver training; or
(b)that you completed driver education and completed driver training; or
(c)that you are enrolled and are participating in an approved integrated driver education/training program
If you are over 17 ½ years old and under 18 years old, you are allowed to get your permit without driver education and driver training certificates but you will not be able to take the driving test until you are 18. Once you pass your written exam, you will receive your permit. The Required Parent Signature on Form DL44: Accepting liability for a minorA driver license application to the California DMV for a minor must have the following signatures - Both parents, if the parents have joint custody and are California residents and have joint custody, or
- Both parents, if divorced, with joint custody, or
- One parent, if that parent has custody, or
- Guardians of the minor, if neither parent has custody or is living, or
- If no legal guardian has been appointed, the person(s) who have actual full and complete custody
NOTE: Nonresident parents cannot sign the application form and cannot accept liability for a minor in California. Nonresident military parents stationed and living in California can sign the application form and accept liability for a minor. When a parent or guardian places his or her signature on the driver’s license application of a minor to the California DIMV, he or she is making a statement that he/she accepts financial responsibility for the applicant. Under California law, drivers and vehicle owners are required to carry the following monetary minimums to be financially responsible: - $5,000 for any property damage per accident
- $15,000 for injury or death of 1 person per accident
- $30,000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident
You must always carry evidence of this financial responsibility in your vehicle. The California DMV notes that most California drivers maintain this required financial responsibility via car insurance, and evidence this responsibility with an insurance card.
6.How long do I have to apply to the California DMV for a California Driver’s license after I move to California?
You must get a California driver license from the California DMV within 10 days of taking a job in California or becoming a California resident. You establish California residency by: (a) voting in a California election, (b) paying resident tuition, (c) filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or (d) any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents of California
7.How long will it take to get my California driver’s license from the California DMV after passing my driving test?
The California DMV office will issue you a temporary license valid for 60 days after passing your driving test. The California DMV will then mail a new photo license to you.
California DMV Vehicle Registration FAQs- Where do I go to register my motor vehicle in California?
- What are the prerequisites for registering a vehicle in California?
- Am I required to provide proof of liability insurance to register my vehicle in California?
- Do I have to put my car through an emissions test before I can register the vehicle?
- Do I have to keep registration documents in my car in California?
- Can I get a personalized (vanity) license plate in California?
1.Where do I go to register my motor vehicle in California?
In California, you register your motor vehicle with the California DMV, in a local California DMV office.
2.What are the prerequisites for registering a nonresident vehicle in California?
You will need the following to register your motor vehicle with the California DMV, if the last registration was outside of California (nonresident): - The last issued out-of-state title, unless the title was held by the lienholder or legal owner (this would apply only when there is not a change of registered owner)
- Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343) signed by all the registered owners, which shows the name and address of the lienholder (legal owner of the vehicle), if any
- Bill of Sale if the person from whom you are buying the vehicle purchased it from the registered owners shown on the title
- Last issued registration certificate, if the applicant is the same as the registered owner shown on the out-of-state title and the vehicle entered California with valid out-of-state registration, or if the title has been lost.
- Odometer disclosure statement signed by the buyer and the seller if the vehicle is less than ten model years old.
- If applicable, smog certificate
- If applicable, weight certificate
- The vehicle must be inspected by an authorized law enforcement officer, DMV employee, or a licensed vehicle verifier (you can do this at a DMV office)
- For commercial motor vehicles, a Declaration of the Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight
- Appropriate fees
3.Am I required to provide proof of liability insurance to register my vehicle in California?
In California, you are required to provide proof of financial responsibility for any damage or injury caused by a traffic accident, regardless of fault. Types of financial responsibility you can maintain: - Cash deposit with the California DMV of $35,000
- California DMV issued self-insurance certificate
- Surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California
- Motor vehicle liability insurance policy
The minimum levels of liability insurance you would be required to carry in California for private passenger vehicles are: - $5,000 for damage to property
- $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
- $15,000 for injury/death to one person
Comprehensive/collision insurance does not meet vehicle financial responsibility requirements in California. Liability insurance should compensate a person other than the policy-holder for personal injury or property damage. The following types of vehicles are not required to provide evidence of liability insurance to DMV: - Off-highway vehicles
- Trailers
- Vehicles registered to a government entity (city/county/state/federal)
- Vehicles registered under a planned non-operation status
- Special equipment vehicles
4.Do I have to put my car through an emissions test before I can register the vehicle?
California requires smog inspections for all vehicles other than: - Diesel powered vehicles
- Electric vehicles
- Natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs
- Hybrid vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Trailers
- Vehicles made in 1975 or before
The registration renewal notice mailed to you by the department will indicate if a smog certification is required. You will not receive your new registration or year sticker until the smog information has been received by California DMV. If you transfer a vehicle that is four or less model years old, you will not be required to obtain a smog certification. The California DMV will collect a smog transfer fee from the new owner. If a vehicle is more than four model years old, the seller must provide evidence of a current smog certification unless: - Biennel smog certification was submitted to the California DMV within 90 days before the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification)
- Transfer occurs between a spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent or grandchild
5.Do I have to keep registration documents in my car in California?
In California, you are required to carry evidence of your financial responsibility in your vehicle at all times. You are required to obtain and maintain on any vehicle parked or operated on California roadways and you must provide it as follows: - When requested by law enforcement
- When renewing vehicle registration, if it is requested
- When the vehicle is involved in a traffic accident
- Within 30 days of receiving a registration card for a newly acquired vehicle
- Within 45 days of the cancellation of a policy for a currently registered vehicle
6.Can I get a personalized (vanity) license plate in California?
Yes. You may order personalized plates in California from the California DMV.
California DMV Vehicle Title FAQs- Does California require my vehicle to be titled?
- What agency in California is responsible for vehicle title?
- How long do you have to transfer ownership of a vehicle once you purchase or sell it (purchase from a private party)?
1.Does California require my vehicle to be titled?
Yes, in California you are required to have your vehicle titled.
2.What agency in California is responsible for vehicle title?
In California, you can get your vehicle titled with the California DMV.
3.How long do you have to transfer ownership of a vehicle once you purchase or sell it (purchase from a private party)?
If you are a buyer of a vehicle from a private party seller, you must report to the California DMV the change of ownership within 10 days of the date of sale. You must pay transfer fee to the California DMV within 30 days of the purchase date, even if you do not have all the documents you are required to provide. If you do not pay these fees to the California DMV within 30 days, you will incur transfer and use tax penalties.
If you are a private party seller of a vehicle, you must report the transfer to the California DMV within 5 days. You can report the vehicle sale to the California DMV with a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability.
|
