Bring These Documents to Pass the Written Test

You need two things to take the California written permit test: proof of identity and proof of California residency. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will not let you test without both, so check what you have before you go.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid passport, a school ID issued by a California school, a Native American tribal document, a military ID, or a consular ID from your country's embassy. If you are under 18, a school ID works. If you are 18 or older, a school ID alone is not enough — you need a passport, military ID, or consular document instead.

For proof of residency, bring one document that shows your current California address. The DMV accepts a utility bill, lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or a government document (like a tax return or benefit letter) with your name and address. The document must be dated within the last 12 months. A piece of mail from a bank or insurance company counts if it shows your address and is recent.

If you do not have a second document for residency, you can bring a completed Statement of Residence form (Form DL 44) signed by someone else who lives at your address and can prove their own residency. That person must bring their own ID and proof of residency with them.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring one valid ID (passport, school ID, military ID, or consular document) and one proof of California residency dated within the last 12 months.
  • Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or government document showing your current address.
  • If you cannot bring a second document, bring a completed Statement of Residence form signed by someone else at your address who has their own ID and proof of residency.
  • The DMV will not let you test without both identity and residency proof, so verify you have them before you arrive at the office.
  • Bring your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) — you will need it to complete your process at the DMV.

What Else to Bring on Test Day

Beyond documents, bring your Social Security number or ITIN written down or memorized. The DMV will ask for it when you fill out your process form at the office. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your ITIN instead.

Bring any corrective lenses you normally wear — glasses or contact lenses. If you wear them to drive, you must wear them during the test. The DMV tests your vision as part of the permit process, and if you wear correction, they need to see how you perform with it on.

Bring a pen. You will fill out paperwork at the DMV office, and having your own pen is faster than asking to borrow one. Bring cash or a debit card for the permit fee, which varies but is typically around $35 to $40 for a minor's permit. Check the DMV website for the exact fee before you go.

Documents You Do Not Need to Bring

You do not need to bring your birth certificate, even though you might think you do. The DMV does not require it for the written permit test. You will need it later if you move to a full driver's license, but not for the permit itself.

You do not need to bring a completed process form. The DMV will give you the form (DL 44 for minors or DL 43 for adults) when you arrive, and staff will help you fill it out. Bringing one ahead of time does not speed up the process.

You do not need to bring your Social Security card itself — just the number. Do not carry your actual card to the DMV unless you have no other way to remember the number. The same goes for your passport: bring it only if it is your chosen form of ID. If you are bringing a school ID or military ID instead, leave the passport at home.

How to Prepare Your Documents Before You Go

Make copies of your residency proof before test day. You do not have to bring copies — the DMV will accept the original — but having a copy at home protects you if the document gets lost or damaged at the office. Keep the copy in a safe place.

Check that your ID has not expired. An expired passport, military ID, or school ID will not work. If your ID is expired, you will need to renew it before you can take the permit test. School IDs sometimes do not have expiration dates; if yours does not, it is still valid.

Verify your residency document is dated within the last 12 months. A utility bill from 13 months ago will not work. If your only residency document is older than that, get a new one — ask your utility company for a recent bill, or request a new lease or mortgage statement from your landlord or lender.

What Happens If You Forget Something

If you arrive at the DMV and realize you forgot a required document, you will not be able to test that day. The DMV will not make exceptions. You will have to reschedule your test appointment and come back with the missing document.

If you forgot your glasses or contacts and you normally wear them to drive, tell the DMV staff before the test starts. They may allow you to take the test anyway, but your permit will have a restriction requiring you to wear correction while driving. It is better to reschedule if you can.

If you forgot your Social Security number or ITIN, the DMV can sometimes look it up if you provide other information, but this slows down the process. Write it down or memorize it before you go.

Preparing for the Written Test Itself

The written permit test in California has 46 questions, and you need to answer at least 38 correctly to pass. The test covers traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and what to do in emergencies. You have no time limit, so take as long as you need to read and think about each question.

You can take the test in English or in one of several other languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. Tell the DMV staff which language you want before the test begins. If you need the test in a language not offered at your local office, ask about taking it at a different DMV location.

Bring a pen if you want to take notes while you study beforehand, but you cannot bring study materials or notes into the testing room. The DMV provides scratch paper and a pen during the test if you want to work through questions on paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my school ID if I am 18 years old?

No. If you are 18 or older, a school ID is not enough on its own. You need a passport, military ID, or consular ID. If you are under 18, a school ID counts as valid proof of identity.

What if my residency document has my old address on it?

It will not work. The DMV needs a document that shows your current address. If you just moved, get a new utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. If you cannot get a new document quickly, use the Statement of Residence form signed by someone else at your address.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card to the DMV?

No. Bring your Social Security number written down or memorized, but not the card itself. The DMV only needs the number, not the physical card.

What if I wear contacts but forgot them on test day?

Tell the DMV staff before you start the test. You may be able to test anyway, but your permit will likely have a restriction requiring corrective lenses while driving. Rescheduling to bring your contacts is usually the better choice.

Can I take the permit test in a language other than English?

Yes. California offers the test in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and several other languages. Let the DMV staff know which language you need when you arrive. If your language is not available at your local office, ask about testing at a different DMV location.