California DMV

Visit the California DMV Website to obtain your California Identification Card (ID) or Driver’s License (DL). You can also obtain a REAL ID to substitute for your passport so that you wouldn’t have to use your passport to fly domestically (deadline for REAL ID is May 7, 2025)

Licensing Fees :

• Renewal/Original ID/DL: $39
• Replacement/Update ID/DL: $31
• Behind-the-wheel retest: $8

Checklist for ID / DL:

1. One proof of identity document. Must include DOB and full name:
   • Valid U.S. passport or passport card (Preferred)
   • Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office). “Abbreviated” or “Abstract” certificates are NOT accepted.
   • Valid Permanent Resident Card
   • Foreign passport with valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
   • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
   • Certified copy of birth certificate from a U.S. Territory
   • Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)
   • Valid Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797)
   • U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen
   • Valid foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
   • Documents reflecting TPS benefit eligibility
2. TWO proofs of California Residency. Preferably printed and not a copy of the documents. Both documents must show full name and valid mailing address:
   • Home utility bill or cellular phone bill (Preferred)
   • Records from any state or national bank, state or federal savings association, trust company, industrial loan company, state or federal credit union, or any institution or entity that has issued a credit card
   • Insurance documents, including medical, dental, vision, life, home, rental or vehicle
   • Medical documents
   • A document issued by a U.S. government agency, meaning the entity, office, or authority governing over a country, state, county, city, municipality, district, agency, department, or any other political subdivision of a country or state
   • Mortgage bill
   • Employment documents
   • Tax return (either Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) Faith-based document that includes the name and address of organization)
   • Rental or lease agreement with the signature of the owner/landlord and the tenant/resident
   • School documents issued by a public or private primary, secondary, or post-secondary institution, college, or university that includes the applicant's date of birth. If using a foreign school document, it must be sealed by the school and include a photograph of the applicant at the age the record was issued.
   • Change of Address Confirmation by the U.S. Postal Service
   • Property tax bill or statement
   • Letter attesting that the applicant resides in California from a homeless shelter, shelter for abused women, non-profit entity, faith-based organization, employer or government agency within the United States
   • Deed or title to residential real property
   • Voter registration confirmation letter or postcard issued by the California Secretary of State or a local California county elections officer
   • Proof of payment of resident tuition at a public institution of higher education in California
   • An original copy of an approved Claim for Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption (BOE-266) form filed with a local California County Assessor
   • Court documents that list the applicant as a resident of California
   • California Certificate of Vehicle or Vessel Titles or registration
   • A DMV No Fee Identification Card Eligibility Verification (DL 933) form, completed and signed
   • If your name does not appear on any residency documents, you may present a birth certificate, marriage license, or domestic partner registration certificate to trace your relationship to the person whose name DOES appear on the residency documentation.
   • If the residency document reflects a name that differs from the tracing document due to a name change (for example, marriage, divorce, or court order), additional name change documentation will be required as evidence of the name change.
3. Social Security Number (only if you have it)

Note: If your mailing address is registered not with your name (eg. house certificate is registered under another family member), make sure to provide a document such as a birth certificate, etc. that shows your relationship to the person that the document mentions.

Next steps after completing the checklist:

1. Fill out the online application for ID/DL: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/dl-id-online-app-edl-44/
2. Go to the preferred California DMV (most people don’t go to the Santa Monica DMV because it’s harder to get a DL 😄)

• Make sure to take the online waiting line so you don’t wait too long at the DMV
• Be prepared with all the documents from the checklist
• Be prepared to take a picture for your ID/DL
• Be prepared for the written test!! (for DL only)
  • Driver’s Handbook : https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/california-driver-handbook-pdf/
  • Sample Tests : https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/sample-driver-license-dl-knowledge-tests/
• If you pass, you get your learning permit (you can now drive a car with the supervision of someone who has a driver’s license and over the age of 21). If you don’t, then you need to take the test again. You have 3 tries until you’ll have to re-register again.

After taking and passing the written test: