Driving in California

If you will be driving in California or planning to purchase a motor vehicle (a car, scooter or motorcycle), you must get a California Driver's License. Most insurance companies will not provide coverage unless you have one and having insurance is a legal requirement. Tourists may drive (rental cars) in California for one year as long as they have a valid driver's license from their home country or an International Driver's license. Students or visiting scholars must apply for a California driver's license if either employed or a student in California.

See the California Department of Motor Vehicles' web site for complete details.

When to Apply
Wait at least 30 days after your arrival in the U.S. before applying. This allows time for the government to process the data for your legal entry into the U.S. Your legal entry must be verified by the Deparment of Motor Vehicles before they can issue the license.

How To Apply for the California Driver License
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the latest California Driver Handbook, forms, instructions on how to apply for a driver's license, and a section on frequently asked questions. It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to apply for the license so your waiting time at the DMV will be drastically reduced. Take your passport, I-94 and form I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS 2019 (J-1/J-2).

The California State Identity Card
If you are not planning to drive, the DMV also issues the California Identity Card with your photo on it. This is an easily recognizable form of identification used for cashing checks, proving your age, etc. An appointment is recommended (see instructions above).


	Driving in California	A-Z Index
Home Students Prospective Students New Students Current Students Exchange Students Practical Training Students Summer Students Returning Students Professors & Researchers Prospective J-1 H-1B TN O-1 Permanent Residents B-1/B-2 Visa Waiver Family UCB Departments Students J-1 Researchers & Faculty H-1B Staff TN Staff O-1 Staff B-1/B-2 Visitors Visa Waiver Visitors Permanent Residents Living at Berkeley Transportation Housing Money Health & Safety Legal Resources Cultural Adjustment Travel & Visas Programs & Workshops Calendar Resource Links About Berkeley International Office Staff Contact US	If you will be driving in California or planning to purchase a motor vehicle (a car, scooter or motorcycle), you must get a California Driver's License. Most insurance companies will not provide coverage unless you have one and having insurance is a legal requirement. Tourists may drive (rental cars) in California for one year as long as they have a valid driver's license from their home country or an International Driver's license. Students or visiting scholars must apply for a California driver's license if either employed or a student in California. See the California Department of Motor Vehicles' web site for complete details. When to Apply Wait at least 30 days after your arrival in the U.S. before applying. This allows time for the government to process the data for your legal entry into the U.S. Your legal entry must be verified by the Deparment of Motor Vehicles before they can issue the license. How To Apply for the California Driver License The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the latest California Driver Handbook, forms, instructions on how to apply for a driver's license, and a section on frequently asked questions. It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to apply for the license so your waiting time at the DMV will be drastically reduced. Take your passport, I-94 and form I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS 2019 (J-1/J-2). The California State Identity Card If you are not planning to drive, the DMV also issues the California Identity Card with your photo on it. This is an easily recognizable form of identification used for cashing checks, proving your age, etc. An appointment is recommended (see instructions above).