RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in California

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, Class C

Getting your licence in California

Knowledge test questions (46 under 18)36
Pass mark (38 under 18)30 correct
Time for the knowledge testNo limit
Application fee, includes the tests$46
Driving test (first try / retest)$0 / $9
Driving test length~20 min

The $46 fee covers 3 knowledge test attempts and the driving test.

Before you start driving

2
Instruction permitRequired before you practise. Pass the knowledge and vision tests at the DMV. Under 18 you must hold it for 6 months.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam. The DMV tests your vision.

Required lessons

2
Driver education (under 18)30 hours of classroom or online driver education, plus 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel training.
Supervised practice (under 18)50 hours with a licensed adult 25 or older, including 10 at night. Adults have no minimum.

Good to know

8
Minimum ageInstruction permit from 15½. Provisional licence at 16. Full licence at 18.
Licence validity5 years.
Exam languagesThe knowledge test is offered in about 35 languages. The driving test is in English, but a translator may be allowed.
If you fail3 attempts per application, valid 12 months. Under 18: wait 7 days. Driving test: wait 14 days, $9 retest fee.
Automatic or manualNo restriction. A licence earned in an automatic covers manual cars too.
New driversUnder 18, for the first 12 months: no driving 11 pm–5 am, and no passengers under 20 unless an adult 25+ is with you.
Already have a licence from abroad?There's no exchange. You take the vision, knowledge and driving tests like a new adult driver, but no lessons are required.
Also worth knowing
  • Read the California Driver's Handbook: every knowledge test question comes from it.
  • Bring your own registered, insured car to the driving test, and someone licensed to drive it there.

Step by step

  1. Apply at the DMVFill in the application, pay $46, take the vision test.
  2. Knowledge test36 questions (adults), 30 correct to pass. Then you get an instruction permit.
  3. PractiseWith a licensed driver. Under 18: driver education, 6 hours of lessons and 50 practice hours.
  4. Driving testAbout 20 minutes with an examiner, in your own insured car. Book an appointment.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Come to a full stop at stop signs, red lights and flashing red lights. A rolling stop is a critical driving error, and one of those fails the test.
  • Look over your shoulder before every lane change, merge and pull-out. When backing, look over your right shoulder through the rear window, not only at the mirrors or camera.
  • Don't drive too slowly or stop when you don't need to, such as at a green light. Both can count as critical errors.
  • The test starts with a pre-drive check. Know where the defroster, wipers, headlights and parking brake are, and practise the arm signals.
  • Up to 15 smaller errors are allowed on the drive, but a single critical error fails it.
  • If an instruction from the examiner would be unsafe to follow, say so instead of doing it.

Based on: California DMV: Driving test criteria (DL 955) ↗

Official links

California DMV: Driver's Handbook ↗California Vehicle Code ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

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