What California requires to get and keep a driver license

California issues driver licenses through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To get one, you must be at least 16 years old, pass a written knowledge test and a driving test, and provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number. You also need to pass a vision screening. The state does not issue licenses to people whose driving privilege has been suspended or revoked, and you cannot hold a valid California license while your privilege is suspended in any state.

Once you have a license, California law requires you to renew it every five years if you are under 70, and every two years if you are 70 or older. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. If your license expires while you are outside California, you have a grace period of one year to renew it after you return.

California also requires you to notify the DMV within 10 days if your address changes, if you change your name, or if you are convicted of certain traffic offenses. Failure to report these changes can result in fines or suspension of your driving privilege.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 16 years old, pass a knowledge test and driving test, and provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number to get a California driver license.
  • California suspends or revokes your driving privilege if you accumulate too many points, fail to pay traffic fines, or commit certain traffic offenses, and you cannot hold a valid license during suspension.
  • You must renew your license every five years (or every two years if you are 70 or older), and you can do this online, by mail, or in person.
  • If your license is suspended, you may be able to get a restricted license that allows you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments under certain conditions.
  • California requires you to report address changes, name changes, and certain convictions to the DMV within 10 days.

How California's point system works and when suspension happens

California uses a point system to track traffic violations. Most moving violations add one point to your record. Serious violations like reckless driving or hit-and-run add two points. If you accumulate four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months, the DMV will suspend your license. The suspension lasts six months for a first offense, one year for a second offense within five years, and three years for a third offense within five years.

Your license can also be suspended if you fail to pay traffic fines, fail to appear in court, or are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). A DUI suspension is separate from the point system and typically lasts six months for a first offense, one year for a second offense within 10 years, and three years for a third offense within 10 years.

If you are under 18 and accumulate two points in 12 months, your license will be suspended for one year. This rule is stricter than for adults because young drivers have higher accident rates.

Restricted licenses and what you can drive during suspension

If your license is suspended, you may be able to get a restricted license that allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. To get a restricted license, you must file a petition with the DMV and show that you have a critical need to drive. You will also need to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle if your suspension is due to a DUI conviction.

A restricted license does not allow you to drive for pleasure or to any location other than those approved by the DMV. If you drive outside the approved routes or times, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license, which is a misdemeanor in California.

The cost of a restricted license varies depending on the reason for your suspension. If your suspension is due to points, the fee is $100. If it is due to a DUI, you may also have to pay for the IID installation and monthly monitoring, which typically costs $60 to $150 per month.

Real ID requirements and what documents you need

California began issuing Real ID compliant driver licenses in 2018. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and can be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. A standard California driver license without the gold star cannot be used for these purposes as of May 7, 2025.

To get a Real ID license, you must provide additional documents beyond what is required for a standard license. You need one document proving your identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), one document proving your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and two documents proving your California residency (such as a utility bill or lease). You must also pass the same knowledge and driving tests as for a standard license.

If you already have a standard California driver license, you can upgrade to a Real ID license at any DMV office. The fee is the same as for a standard license renewal. You do not have to take the tests again if your license is still valid.

Undocumented immigrants and AB 60 licenses

California allows undocumented immigrants to get a driver license under Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60). An AB 60 license looks the same as a standard California driver license but does not have the Real ID gold star. It can be used to drive legally in California and to obtain car insurance, but it cannot be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight.

To get an AB 60 license, you must be at least 16 years old and pass the knowledge and driving tests. You do not need to provide a Social Security number or proof of legal presence. Instead, you must provide proof of identity (such as a passport, consular ID, or birth certificate) and proof of California residency (such as a utility bill or lease). The fee is the same as for a standard license.

An AB 60 license is valid for five years, just like a standard license. If your immigration status changes and you become a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen, you can upgrade to a Real ID license by providing the additional documents required.

Teenage driver rules and the graduated licensing system

California has a graduated licensing system for drivers under 18. This system has three stages: the learner's permit (instruction permit), the provisional license, and the full license.

To get a learner's permit, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months old, pass the knowledge test, and have a valid instruction permit. With a learner's permit, you can only drive with a licensed adult who is at least 25 years old in the front seat. You cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and you cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free.

After holding a learner's permit for at least six months and one day, you can take the driving test to get a provisional license. With a provisional license, you can drive alone during the day, but you still cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 12 months. You also cannot have more than one passenger under 20 years old in the car (unless they are a sibling or spouse), and you cannot use a cell phone while driving.

At age 18, your provisional license automatically becomes a full license, and these restrictions no longer explore. However, you still cannot use a cell phone while driving unless it is hands-free.

Commercial driver licenses and what they allow

A commercial driver license (CDL) is required if you drive a vehicle that weighs more than 26,000 pounds, carries hazardous materials, or transports 16 or more passengers. California issues three classes of CDL: Class A (tractor-trailers and other large trucks), Class B (large single trucks and buses), and Class C (vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers).

To get a CDL, you must be at least 18 years old (or 21 if you want to drive out of state), have a valid California driver license, pass a medical examination, pass a knowledge test specific to your class, and pass a driving test in the type of vehicle you will be driving. You must also provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number, just as for a standard license.

A CDL is valid for five years and must be renewed at a DMV office in person. You cannot renew a CDL online or by mail. If you accumulate points on your CDL, the thresholds for suspension are lower than for a standard license: two points in 12 months, four points in 24 months, or six points in 36 months will result in suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with a suspended license if I have a restricted license?

Yes, but only to the locations and during the times approved by the DMV. If you drive outside these approved routes or times, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license, which is a misdemeanor. The restricted license must be in your vehicle at all times.

What happens if I let my California driver license expire?

You cannot legally drive with an expired license. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited. However, if your license has been expired for less than six months, you can usually renew it without retaking the tests. If it has been expired for more than six months, you may have to retake the knowledge and driving tests.

Do I have to get a Real ID license, or can I keep a standard license?

You can keep a standard license, but you will not be able to use it for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building after May 7, 2025. If you need to fly domestically, you will need either a Real ID license, a passport, or another federally accepted ID.

How long does it take to get a California driver license?

The knowledge test and driving test can usually be scheduled within a few weeks of your appointment at the DMV, depending on how busy your local office is. Once you pass both tests, your license is issued when ready. However, if you are explore for a Real ID license, processing may take longer because the DMV must verify your documents.

Can I get a California driver license if I have a suspended license from another state?

No. California will not issue you a license if your driving privilege is suspended in any other state. You must resolve the suspension in that state first, which usually means paying fines or completing a required program. Once the suspension is lifted, you can explore for a California license.