Skip to main content Skip to 'About this site' Skip to section menu Canada.ca Services Departments Language selection Fran Formats for MVR license numbers Each state in the United States, and each Canadian province, has a specific format for their drivers license numbers.

Find all the information you need to finish your You must apply for a California driver license within 10 days of establishing residency in the state. Residency is generally established when you take part in situations or benefits generally not extended to nonresidents, such as: • Registering to vote.

• Paying in-state college tuition. • Filing for homeowner property tax exemption. To apply for a new California driver's license, you must follow all the instructions in “Apply for Your CA License' below (including taking the written exam). Note, however, that the California DMV will most likely waive your driving exam if you already hold a license * UNLESS your license is from another country (see our section on non-citizens below). If you've never been licensed before, you will be given a permit once you pass your written permit test so you can practice driving before your driving test.

If you've been licensed before, skip the learner's permit section. * Waived driving exams are at the discretion of the California DMV, so be prepared to take one if they ask you to. Types of California Driver's Licenses California has the following full, noncommercial driver's licenses: • Class C: • The Class C license allows you to drive regular, noncommercial passenger cars and trucks. • Noncommercial Class A: • The Noncommercial Class A license covers not-for-hire travel trailers weighing more than 10,000 lbs, fifth-wheel travel trailers weighing more than 15,000 lbs, and livestock trailers weighing more than 10,000 lbs but no more than 15,000 lbs. Free download movies. • Noncommercial Class B: • You can drive a house car (RV or motor home) up to 45 feet (no longer). If you need another type of license, check out the following pages: • • Covers CA's GDL process, including requirements,, and provisional licenses. • • CA offers M1 and M2 licenses for motorcyclists.

• • Find out how to get your Class A, B, and C commercial driver license (CDL), as well as how to add endorsements. California Driver's License Requirements. CA REAL ID License Update The California DMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in place of standard driver’s licenses, which allow you to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings. You can choose to receive either a REAL ID or a standard driver's license—details are outlined below. Before heading to the DMV, find out whether you need to apply for a new license. You DO need a new California driver license if: • You're a long-time CA resident who's never been licensed. • You're new to California and want to: • Apply for a California driver's license.

• Transfer an out-of-state license. • You plan to operate any of the Noncommercial Class A and B vehicles described above (“Types of CA Driver Licenses'). • You have legal presence in the state and country. • You do not need a new California driver license if you possess a diplomatic driver license issued by the U.S.

Department of State. You do NOT need a California driver license if: • You're 18 years old or older and visiting CA with a valid out-of-state driver's license. • You're an active military member or dependent stationed in California, as long as you have a valid out-of-state license and you haven't established CA residency.

• You operate farm vehicles off public highways. • You only operate registered off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles without accessing public roads (other than crossing them.). Become An Organ Donor Today! You can save up to 8 lives by saying YES to organ donation. It's the right thing to do. And give the gift of life. Obtain a California Learner's Permit “Apply for Your CA Driver's License' below will explain at what point during the application process you 'll receive your learner's permit.You must obtain a learner's permit before getting a full Class C or Noncommercial Class A or B license IF you've never held one of these licenses before.