I'm a new resident in California: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from California. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in California

Each rule comes from the California driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  You must get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident and driving here.

  What the manual says

  • The deadline

    You are a California resident if you intend to live in the state for 6 months or more in one year. If you become a California resident and drive here, you must get a California driver's license within 10 days. If you bring a vehicle, you must register it within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing it into the state.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Vision and knowledge tests. The drive test is normally waived, but DMV may require one.

  What the manual says

  • How to apply

    Complete the application and visit a DMV office. Give your Social Security number and an identity document, plus residency documents if you have never had a California license or ID card. Pay the fee, have your thumbprint scanned, pass a vision exam, have your photo taken and pass the knowledge test(s).

  • The drive test is usually waived

    The drive test is normally waived if you present your license from another state, but DMV may require one at any time. You still need a drive test if your out-of-state license is a junior, provisional or probationary license, or if you were licensed in another state but do not have the license to surrender. If you are under 18 and surrender a license from another state, all California requirements and restrictions for minors apply to you.

  • The drive test is usually waived

    The drive test is normally waived if you present your license from another state, but DMV may require one at any time. You still need a drive test if your out-of-state license is a junior, provisional or probationary license, or if you were licensed in another state but do not have the license to surrender. If you are under 18 and surrender a license from another state, all California requirements and restrictions for minors apply to you.

  Source: [3] [4] [5]

• Liability insurance

  Minimum coverage: $30,000 for one death or injury, $60,000 for more than one, $15,000 property damage.

  What the manual says

  • California requires at least $30,000 of coverage for a single death or injury.
  • The minimum rises to $60,000 when a collision kills or injures more than one person.
  • Policies must cover at least $15,000 in property damage.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 76

• Change of address

  Report a change of address to DMV within 10 days of moving.

  What the manual says

  • You are responsible for keeping DMV's records accurate, and a change of address must be reported within ten days of moving.

  • Renewal and changes

    You renew your driver's license every 5 years, and it is against the law to drive with an expired license. If you have temporary legal status, your card expires on the same date as your U.S. legal presence document, and you can get a new card with a documented extension of your legal status. If you move, you must tell DMV your new address within 10 days.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 8

  Source: [6] [7] [3]

• How long the license lasts

  A driver's license is renewed every 5 years.

  What the manual says

  • Renewal and changes

    You renew your driver's license every 5 years, and it is against the law to drive with an expired license. If you have temporary legal status, your card expires on the same date as your U.S. legal presence document, and you can get a new card with a documented extension of your legal status. If you move, you must tell DMV your new address within 10 days.

  Source: [6] [7] [3]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  No driving 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the first 12 months; exceptions for school, work, medical, family.

  What the manual says

  • Provisional drivers are barred from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for their first 12 months of licensed driving.

  • Exceptions

    There are exceptions to these limits if you have a medical need and cannot reasonably find another way to travel, or if you must drive for school or a school activity, for work or to drive an immediate family member. You must carry a note signed by your doctor (medical need), your school principal, dean or designee (school), your employer (work), or your parent or legal guardian (family member).

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 4

  Source: [7]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  No passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian or California-licensed driver aged 25+ rides along.

  What the manual says

  • Passengers under 20 are only allowed when a parent or guardian, or another California-licensed driver aged 25 or older, is in the vehicle.

  • Provisional license

    When you are under 18, your license has the word 'provisional' on it. As a provisional driver, you cannot drive:

    • Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months you have your license
    • With passengers under 20, unless your parent or guardian, or another California-licensed driver who is at least 25, rides with you
    • For pay, or in a vehicle that needs a commercial license

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 4

  Source: [7]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Drivers under 21 face a near-zero limit of 0.01%.

  What the manual says

  • Drivers under 21 face a near-zero limit of 0.01%, far stricter than the adult limit.
  • For an under-21 driver, a conviction at 0.01% or above can cost a full year of driving and requires completion of a licensed DUI program.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 73, 75

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving means you consented to chemical tests; refusing a test means one year suspension or revocation.

  What the manual says

  • Driving in California means you have already consented to chemical testing when an officer suspects impairment.
  • Refusing a chemical test carries its own penalty: DMV suspends or revokes your driving privilege for a full year.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 74, 72

• Seat belts

  Driver and passengers must wear seat belts; the driver can also be ticketed if a passenger under 16 is unbelted.

  What the manual says

  • You and your passengers must wear seat belts, and if a passenger is under 16 years old the driver can also be ticketed.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 65

• Child safety seats

  Under 8 or under 4′9″: child seat in the rear seat. Rear-facing: under 2, under 40 lb and under 3′4″.

  What the manual says

  • These children need a federally approved child passenger restraint system, and it belongs in a rear seat except in specific listed situations.
  • Rear-facing is required for children who are under 2 years old, under 40 pounds, and under 3 feet 4 inches tall.
  • Children who are 8 or older, or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may use a properly secured safety belt that meets federal standards.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 66

• Phone use while driving

  Holding a phone is illegal; mounted phone: single swipe or touch only. Minors: no calls or texts except emergencies.

  What the manual says

  • Cell phones are the leading source of distracted driving; driving while holding one is both unsafe and against the law. Adult drivers should use hands-free mode only when necessary.
  • Only a single swipe or touch on the mounted device is permitted while you drive.
  • It is against the law for a minor to use a cell phone or electronic wireless device to answer calls or send and reply to texts while driving; the only exception is calling for emergency assistance.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 70, 71

• School buses

  Stop from both directions on undivided roads while red lights flash; not required across a divided or multilane highway.

  What the manual says

  • Flashing red lights require traffic in both directions to stop until the children are safely across and the lights stop.
  • When the bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway with two or more lanes each way, you do not have to stop.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 51

• Move Over law

  Move over and slow down for stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks and road work vehicles with flashing lights.

  What the manual says

  • Drivers must move over and slow down for stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and road work vehicles displaying flashing amber or emergency lights.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 49

• Headlights

  30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise; low beams with wipers; mountain roads, tunnels.

  What the manual says

  • Use headlights beginning 30 minutes after sunset and keep them on until 30 minutes before sunrise.
  • If weather makes you use your wipers, you must turn on your low-beam headlights.
  • Headlights are required on mountain roads and in tunnels even on sunny days, and any time a road sign states they must be on.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 11

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians, unless a sign prohibits it; never against a red arrow.

  What the manual says

  • A right on red is legal only after a full stop, after yielding to pedestrians, and when no sign forbids the turn.
  • You may not turn right against a red arrow. Wait for the signal to turn green.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 33, 18

• Speed limits

  25 mph in business/residential districts and near schools when children are present; 65 mph most highways; 55 two-lane undivided.

  What the manual says

  • Business and residential districts carry a 25 mph limit unless a posted sign states something different.
  • The school-zone limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school when children are present outside or crossing.
  • The ideal maximum on most California highways is 65 mph, but it drops to 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 52, 50, 67

• Left lane and keeping right

  Left lane is for passing or left turns; if driving slower than traffic, stay in the right lane.

  What the manual says

  • Use the left lane to pass or turn left. Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic, or when you join the road from a curb or shoulder.
  • Move right and let the faster driver by; if you choose to drive slower than traffic, stay in the right lane.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 15, 50

• Points and suspension

  Adults may be suspended at 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24, or 8 in 36.

  What the manual says

  • An adult's license may be suspended at 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months.
  • Too many points makes you a negligent driver, and DMV can place you on probation, suspend, or revoke your driving privilege.

  Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 54

Official steps for moving to California

• The deadline

  You are a California resident if you intend to live in the state for 6 months or more in one year. If you become a California resident and drive here, you must get a California driver's license within 10 days. If you bring a vehicle, you must register it within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing it into the state.

  Source: [1] [2]

• How to apply

  Complete the application and visit a DMV office. Give your Social Security number and an identity document, plus residency documents if you have never had a California license or ID card. Pay the fee, have your thumbprint scanned, pass a vision exam, have your photo taken and pass the knowledge test(s).

  Source: [3]

• The drive test is usually waived

  The drive test is normally waived if you present your license from another state, but DMV may require one at any time. You still need a drive test if your out-of-state license is a junior, provisional or probationary license, or if you were licensed in another state but do not have the license to surrender. If you are under 18 and surrender a license from another state, all California requirements and restrictions for minors apply to you.

  Source: [4] [5]

• A license from another country

  Follow the same steps as for a license from another state, and also pass a drive test. An accompanying driver must come with you to and from the drive test.

  Source: [3]

Sources

1. New to California (dmv.ca.gov) — California Department of Motor Vehicles
2. Fast Facts 5: Requirements for a California Driver License (FFDL 5) (dmv.ca.gov) — California Department of Motor Vehicles
3. Driver's Licenses (dmv.ca.gov) — California Department of Motor Vehicles
4. Fast Facts 22: Preparing for Your Driving Test (FFDL 22) (dmv.ca.gov) — California Department of Motor Vehicles
5. Fast Facts 19: Provisional Licensing (FFDL 19) (dmv.ca.gov) — California Department of Motor Vehicles
6. Teen Driver Roadmap (dmv.ca.gov) — California Department of Motor Vehicles
7. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, 2025) (dmv.ca.gov) — California Department of Motor Vehicles