You are excited to ride your car but you don’t have your California driver license yet. Here are the easy steps that leads to obtain a driver license in California:
Eligibility to obtain California Driver License
You must at least be 15½ years old to be eligible. If you are under 18, you need your parents or guardians approval.
You can then get an appointment from DMV website or you can visit the nearest local DMV office. If you want to get the driver license a.s.a.p., visiting local DMV office is a much better choice hence if you try to get online appointment, DMV will arrange an appointment 2-3 weeks later at earliest if you are lucky enough.
DMV Office
You need some papers that proof your identity, residence, etc. Here is a list of items you need:
You need to fill out “Driver License or Identification Card Application” aka DL 44″. There is no option to fill this card online but you can call DMV and order it by mail or you can fill it out when you visit local DVM office. Too see a sample of DL-44 card, click here.
California Driver License fee
You have to pay application fee which is $ 33 for non-commercial class c California Driver License. Click here for all other Driver License/Identification Card Application Fees.
If you are under 18, you’ll take 46 questions, if you are over 18, then you’ll take 36 questions. You need to to score 85 over 100 points in order to pass the test. If your native language is not English, you can take the test in your mother tongue.
Here is the list of other languages:
Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Persian/Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, Thai, Tongan, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
Proof residency for Driver License
You must provide at least 2 documents to proof your residency in California. Your lease contract, your home utility bill, your school or employment documents may proof your residency.
Vision Exam
DMV officials check your vision and if you are qualify, you are ready for the test. If not, you can be guided to use eye-glasses.
Driver Test Sample
Go to the local DVM office as early as possible. After you fill out the application form and pay the fee, you’ll take the written Driving Test. To test yourself click here.
If you pass the test at your first try, DMV officials will take a photo of you. If there is nothing suspicious related to your documents (Such as F1 visa requirement etc.), you’ll get your license in 2-3 weeks by mail. It may take up to 3-4 months because of other security checks.
DMV will give you a temporary permit till you get your original driver license. You also have to take on wheel driving test. After you complete test, you need to take another appointment for behind the wheel driving test. You can set the appointment online. Click here for online appointment.
There are some tips and trick not to fail behind the wheel driving test. Click here for the tips.