If you are an international student or scholar, and intend to drive, you should apply for a California drivers license (at least an interim license) within 10 days of your arrival.

How to apply for a California drivers license or identification card:

Make an appointment online with DMV (California Dept. of Motorized Vehicles)
Complete application form
Give a thumb print
Have your picture taken
Provide your Social Security number (if eligible). If you don't have a SSN, you will get a temporary license which can be renewed once your receive your SSN.
Verify your birth date and legal presence
Provide your true full name
Pay the application fee
Pass a vision exam
Pass a traffic laws and sign test.
Once you pass the written test you will get an interim driving license that you may use together with your home country driving license to start practicing for the driving test.
If you have a license from another country, you will be required to take a driving test. If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived. You have three chances to pass the driving test.

The California drivers license and identification card have been declared as primary identification documents in this state by the California legislature.

State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and drivers license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the U.S. to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents.

Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

Resident Alien Card
Temporary Resident Identification Card
Canadian Passport or Birth Certificate
Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card
Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record)

To take your driving test, you will need to:

Make a behind-the-wheel driving test appointment at a DMV office. (Driving tests are not given without an appointment.)
- Phone: 1-800-777-0133
- DMV Online Appointment System
Provide proof of financial responsibility/Show evidence of liability insurance

After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. If you did not present complete documentation to verify birth date and legal presence, you will be issued a temporary license valid for 60 days until you complete the documentation requirements. Make sure you provide the DMV with your correct mailing address.

WARNING: International students and scholars applying for a California driver’s license may have to wait up to one year to receive a permanent license. The reason for this is that the DMV has to go through the extra step of verifying the student’s immigration status with the Immigration Service before issuing a license. If you have not received your license after 60 days, you can write or fax the Sacramento DMV (phone: 916-657-7445 or fax: 916-657-6419) and ask again that they solicit the verification from the Immigration Service. Send to DMV a copy of your passport, 1-94 card, temporary driver’s license and phone number. The DMV will renew your request for verification with the San Francisco USCIS office. In the meantime you should continue to update your temporary license until the permanent license arrives.

For further information please visit the DMV website.

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