Getting a Driver’s License in California – Written by Kaifang Deng

If you want to buy a car or rent a car, you must need a driver’s license first! How do you get a driver license in California?

First, you need to visit a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) office and pass the written test (also known as the “Knowledge Test”). The closest office is the one in Costa Mesa (Address: 650 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627). It is best to make an appointment to avoid the long wait time. Once I went to a DMV without an appointment and I waited for about 6 hours. So making an appointment online is strongly suggested. The written test is provided in different languages. However, you will need to do some studying first. You can review and print materials from the DMV website (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_wt). You will know immediately after the test if you passed or not. I think it is much easier for international students to take the written test in their native languages. I am from China and I took the test in Chinese.

Then you can start to learn how to drive! I believe many international students are afraid of learning driving with an American instructor because it may be difficult to hear car and driving vocabulary in English. There are many international instructors in Irvine or in Orange County, but it requires you to do some research. I think it is not hard to find an instructor who speak the same language as yours. I learned to drive after 3 months of living in the United States. I remember I still had problems with speaking English, so I found a Chinese driving instructor. I think that was much easier for me and helped me a lot, especially since driving in a new country is not such an easy task.

After you feel comfortable “behind the wheel, ” you can schedule another appoint for the road test. For me, I took the test at the DMV in Laguna Hills (Address: 23535 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653). I’ve heard from others that it was easier to take the road test there because the roads are open and there is less traffic!

Once you have passed your test, you will receive a temporary driver’s license and then your actual driver’s license in the mail.

It is important to continue to practice driving even when you have received your driver’s license in order to become more familiar and comfortable with your car and other people’s driving habits. Having a driver’s license and a car is a lot of responsibility and requires caution. It will now be easier to get around Irvine and the rest of Southern California!