Written By: Yingjie Yang
There is a reason the United State is referred to as “a nation on wheels”, it can be much easier to get around when you have access to a car. However, the first obstacle you might face before you can roam freely in the city is getting your driver’s license.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the authority in issuing licenses and answering your questions about a driver’s license. I have compiled the information I could find but there might be changes or inaccuracies as time goes on. Please refer to the official government websites and inquire the official staff for the most current and accurate information.
If you are a foreign national that has just arrived in the United States and is staying for a maximum of 3 months, you might be eligible to drive with your foreign driver’s license. Many car-rental services and some police will ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP) on top of your valid foreign license and passport before you are considered eligible. You can obtain an IDP from the motor vehicle offices of your home country, as the US DMVs do not issue the IDP. If that is what you are planning to do, make sure you know the local traffic laws before you get on the road.
In general, each state issue their own driver’s licenses for residents residing in the state. If you moved to UCI from a different state in the US, you are over 18 and you have a valid driver’s license from another state that you previously resided in, you can operate a vehicle with your old license if it is the same type of vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, etc). There is also no time limit that restricts you from using your old license driving in California. You are certified to operate a vehicle with a license issued by any state unless that license is no longer valid, you are a minor, or if driving is part of your profession (such as being an uber driver). In that case, you would need to apply for a California driver’s license in order to drive. You would also need a California driver’s license if you become a resident of California, which is not limited to but includes circumstances such as: if you registered to vote in a California election, are paying resident tuition, are filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.1
If you are an incoming student that is going to study in UCI without a previous US driver’s license, it might be the most convenient to apply for a license at a nearby DMV offices. Here are the steps to apply for a California driver’s license:
- Fill in the online application form
- Prepare the materials needed
- Plan a DMV visit
- Pass the knowledge tests
- Pass the driving test
- Fill in the online application form (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/forms/dl/dl44)
You can choose a language that you are comfortable with to complete the online application form. The available languages include: English, Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Korean, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Japanese, Hindi (by order listed on the website at the time of writing). On each page, there is an information section if you are not sure what the question is referring to. Then you will be asked to provide an email and phone number to create an account before you can proceed.
- Materials required to apply for a CA driver’s license1
- Acceptable residency documents if you have never had a CA driver’s license or CA ID card
- Two if applying or converting to a REAL ID
- One if applying for an original driver’s license that will not grant you access to board flights at an airport after October 2020
- Acceptable documents can be found here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/a34dbefd-c615-4c07-a271-b135850de9d1/residency_docslist.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=
- A valid social security number (SSN)
- Exempt if you are ineligible for an SSN and are legally present in the US
- Proof of identity
- Original or certified documents establishing birth date, true full name, and identity produced by an authority, such as a county, state, federal, or foreign agency
- A nonrefundable application fee
- Valid for 12 months that allows for 3 attempts to pass each of the required knowledge tests and three attempts at the driving test
- $37 for an application of a Class C vehicle driver’s license
- $7 for each behind the wheel retest
- Plan a DMV visit
- Make an appointment online to make it easier*
- Bring all required materials and exact change for the application fee
- Information collected during the DMV visit: fingerprint scan, vision through an vision exam, and a photograph taken on site
- Pass the knowledge tests
- Review the California Driver Handbook (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc) and learn the traffic rules to prepare for the tests
- Tests are available in languages other than English
- The DMV website also provides resources to help you practice and learn more (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/exam)
- Pass the driving test
- If you need to learn how to drive, the DMV website also provided resources so that you can find a reliable driving school: * (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl33)
- An appointment is needed for the driving test*
- Bring a car with proof of financial responsibility that meets or exceeds California Insurance Requirements (I borrowed a friend’s car for my test!)
*Note that operation days and times of the DMV offices and driving schools may subject to change due to the pandemic and other circumstances.
If all goes well, you should receive your interim driver’s license (valid for 90 days) and will receive your brand-new California driver’s license in the mail! Good luck!
References
1California Department of Motor Vehicles. “How to Apply for a Driver License If You Are over 18.” Driver License (DL) and Identification (ID) Card Information, 2020, www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info.