Quick Answer: To get your California driver's license, bring proof of identity, proof of California residency, and your Social Security number. You'll also need your signed permit, driver's ed certificate, proof of auto registration and insurance, and the licensing fee.
It's a long road to get a driver's license in California. Once you’ve done the hard work of taking driver education courses and practicing behind the wheel, you're finally ready to get your license. All that hard work won’t pay off if you aren’t prepared for your appointment. Even with all that preparation, you need to make sure you have all of your important documents in order before you head to the California DMV for your driver's license.
Here's your checklist of what to bring to the DMV.
The first step in getting your license is being able to prove you are who you say you are.
You will need to bring an original or certified document establishing your birthdate, true full name, and identity. The California DMV will not accept photocopies of these documents. They will only accept originals or certified copies of the original.
Here are some examples of acceptable documents to prove identity and receive a verified REAL ID:
You will need to provide your valid Social Security number for your driver’s license application at the California DMV. For the new REAL California ID, you will need to bring physical proof of your SSN.
You must provide two California residency documents to get your REAL ID. Unlike your proof of identity, the California DMV will accept copies of documents or paperwork printed from your computer to prove your California residency.
For a document to prove your residency, it needs to have your first and last name as well as your California address. The address on your residency document must match the address listed on your driver’s license application.
Examples of acceptable residency documents include:
If you do not have any of these documents in your legal name, you can use your birth certificate to prove that your parents or guardians are legal residents of the address you are using on your driver’s license.
California charges a fee for applying for your first driver’s license. For an original Class C license, the fee is currently $45. If you need other services, check the DMV website for extra charges.
When paying in person at the DMV, you can use the following payment methods:
You need to bring proof that you completed both driver's ed and your in-car lesson hours to get your driver’s license. If you take driver’s ed online, make sure the site you choose is accredited and accepted by the California DMV.
You need to bring proof of registration and proof of insurance for whatever car you drive during the driving test. Keep these in your glove compartment so they are easy to access if you are ever pulled over or in an accident and need to produce them.
If you are under 18, you need to have your learner's permit signed by a parent, guardian, or your course instructor to prove you met the time requirement for driving on your permit before you get your driver’s license.
Once you've gathered all of these items, you're ready to head to the DMV for your road test. Not confident in your skills yet? Try an online driver's ed course from Aceable to prepare you to get behind the wheel.