What You Do at the DMV to Get Your License
You walk into a California DMV office with your documents, take a number, and complete four things in order: pass the written test, pass the behind-the-wheel test, pay the fee, and receive your license. The whole process takes at least two visits — one for the written test and one for the driving test — and you cannot move to the next step until you pass the one before it. Most people spend 30 to 90 minutes at the DMV each visit, depending on how busy the office is.
You must bring your documents to your first visit. The DMV staff will check them against your process before you take the written test. If a document is missing or does not match what you wrote on the form, they will not let you test that day. Bring originals, not copies, except where noted below.
California does not let you book a specific time slot for your first visit — you arrive during office hours, take a number, and wait. Some offices are busier than others. You can check wait times on the DMV website before you go, but they update only every 30 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- You must pass the written test before you can schedule the behind-the-wheel test, and you cannot take the written test without bringing all required documents to the DMV in person.
- The written test covers California traffic laws and safe driving practices; you can study using the DMV handbook or online practice tests, but you cannot take the test online.
- The behind-the-wheel test happens on a separate day and requires a vehicle, a licensed adult passenger, and proof of insurance for that vehicle.
- The total fee for a first-time license is $39 for the written test plus $20 for the driving test, paid at the DMV when you pass each test.
- You receive a temporary paper license when ready after passing the driving test; the plastic card arrives by mail in 10 to 14 days.
Documents You Must Bring to Your First DMV Visit
Bring originals of all six of these items. The DMV will not accept photocopies or photos of documents for your first visit. If you do not have one of them, you cannot test that day.
| Document Type | What Counts | What Does Not Count |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of identity | U.S. passport, passport card, or California ID card | School ID, work ID, library card, expired passport |
| Proof of Social Security number | Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, or pay stub with full SSN | Tax return, bank statement, credit card statement |
| Proof of California residency | Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 62 days of your visit | Expired documents, documents older than 62 days, cell phone bills |
| Completed process | Form DL 44, filled out by hand or printed and filled out, signed and dated | Blank form, form filled out by someone else, unsigned form |
| Proof of legal presence (if not a U.S. citizen) | Green card, employment authorization document (EAD), visa, or I-94 arrival/departure record | Passport alone, I-797 notice without I-94 |
| Vision test certificate (optional but recommended) | Form DL 62 completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist within 12 months | Self-reported vision information, expired certificate |
If your name on your identity document does not match the name on your Social Security card, bring a document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will not process your process without proof that both names belong to you.
If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get a California license. Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for a number, or bring an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter instead.
How to Fill Out Form DL 44 Before You Go
read Form DL 44 from the California DMV website or pick one up at any DMV office. Fill it out completely by hand or print it and fill it out. Every blank must have an answer — do not leave any field empty. If a question does not explore to you, write "N/A" in that space.
Use your legal name as it appears on your identity document. Write your current address exactly as it appears on your proof of residency. If you have lived at your current address for less than 62 days, you can still use it, but you must also bring a second residency document showing your previous address.
Sign and date the form in the spaces marked for your signature. The DMV staff will not accept an unsigned form. If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and write the correction above it — do not use white-out or tape.
The Written Test: What to Study and How It Works
The written test has 36 multiple-choice questions about California traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 30 questions correctly to pass. The test is offered in 38 languages, and you can request an interpreter or large-print version when you arrive at the DMV.
Study using the California Driver Handbook, which is free on the DMV website and also available in print at any DMV office. The handbook covers everything on the test. You can also use online practice tests on the DMV website — these are free and show you the exact format and types of questions you will see.
When you arrive at the DMV, tell the staff member at the counter that you are here for your first written test. They will check your documents, take your photo, and give you a number. When your number is called, you will go to a testing station and take the test on a computer. You have 40 minutes to finish. The computer tells you when ready whether you passed or failed.
If you fail, you can take the test again the same day at most DMV offices, but you must pay the $39 fee again. You can retake the test as many times as you need, but you must wait at least one day between attempts.
The Behind-the-Wheel Test: Scheduling and What Happens
You can schedule your behind-the-wheel test online through the DMV website or by calling 1-800-777-0133. You must have passed the written test first. The test is available at most DMV offices, but some smaller offices do not offer it — the website will tell you which offices near you do.
The test takes about 20 minutes. A DMV examiner sits in the passenger seat while you drive a set route in your own vehicle. The examiner watches how you handle turns, stops, parking, and lane changes, and whether you follow traffic laws and check your mirrors. You must pass this test to get your license.
You need three things to take the behind-the-wheel test: a vehicle that is registered and insured, a valid proof of insurance card for that vehicle, and a licensed adult passenger who is at least 18 years old and sits in the front seat. The vehicle must be in safe working condition — the examiner will check the brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and horn before the test begins.
If you fail the test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one day. You pay the $20 fee each time you test. Most people pass on the second or third attempt.
Fees and What You Pay When
The written test costs $39. You pay this fee at the DMV counter before you test, whether you pass or fail. If you fail and retake it the same day, you pay $39 again.
The behind-the-wheel test costs $20. You pay this fee when you schedule the test or at the DMV office on the day of your test, depending on which office you use. If you fail and retake it, you pay $20 again.
Your first California driver license costs $39 for a four-year license or $69 for an eight-year license. You choose which one when you pass the driving test, and you pay at that time. The fee is not refundable if you change your mind later.
Some DMV offices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Others accept only debit and credit cards. Call ahead to confirm what your local office takes.
After You Pass: Your Temporary License and Plastic Card
When you pass the behind-the-wheel test, the DMV prints a temporary paper license on the spot. This is a full, legal driver license — you can drive when ready with it. The temporary license is valid for 60 days.
Your plastic driver license card arrives by mail in 10 to 14 days. The address on the envelope is the address you gave the DMV on your process. If you move before the card arrives, you must update your address with the DMV before the card is mailed, or it will go to your old address.
When your plastic card arrives, the temporary paper license is no longer valid. Throw it away and carry the plastic card instead.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Test
Bringing copies instead of originals. The DMV will not accept a photocopy of your identity document, Social Security card, or residency proof on your first visit. Bring the originals.
Forgetting to sign Form DL 44. If the form is not signed, the DMV staff will hand it back and tell you to sign it. This adds 10 to 15 minutes to your wait.
Bringing a residency document older than 62 days. A utility bill or bank statement must be dated within 62 days of the day you visit the DMV. If it is older, bring a second document that is current.
Not bringing proof of insurance for the behind-the-wheel test. You cannot take the driving test without a valid insurance card for the vehicle you are driving. The card must show the vehicle's license plate number and the policy must be active on the day of the test.
Scheduling the behind-the-wheel test before passing the written test. You cannot take the driving test until you have passed the written test. The DMV system will not let you schedule it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test online from home?
No. California requires you to take the written test in person at a DMV office. You must bring your documents and take the test on a computer at the DMV. You can study online using practice tests, but the actual test must be taken at the DMV.
What happens if I fail the behind-the-wheel test?
You can retake it after waiting at least one day. You pay the $20 fee again each time you test. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it. Most people pass within two or three attempts.
Do I need to bring my temporary paper license to the behind-the-wheel test?
No. You do not need to bring anything except your vehicle, proof of insurance, a licensed adult passenger, and your identity document. The DMV has your test information in their system.
What if my residency document is older than 62 days?
Bring a second document that is current. You can use two utility bills, a lease plus a bank statement, or any combination of approved residency documents as long as at least one is dated within 62 days of your visit.
How long does it take to get my plastic license card after I pass the test?
The card arrives by mail in 10 to 14 days. Your temporary paper license is valid for 60 days, so you have time to drive while you wait for the plastic card. If you move before the card arrives, update your address with the DMV first.