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Getting a driving license in the US is very simple compared to other countries, both because the test is easy and because the application process is cheap and fast.
I strongly advice to get a driving license or a state ID (it's the same card) if you're staying in the US for more than one quarter. It allows you to go out, drive and travel without having your passport with you. It's also generally more accepted when checking your age (clubs, supermarkets, …) while sometimes they require a second form of identification if you only have your passport (!).
Remember that you don't need a California Driving License to drive in the US! You can always drive with a foreign driving license (at least for most of the foreign driving licenses).
If you're visiting this page, you may also be interested in Renting a car
Apply for a driving licence
Driving licenses are issued by California Department of Motor Vehicles. The best thing to do is to go there with a passport and your foreign driving license (if you have one) and ask about getting a California driving license. You can schedule an appointment on the website, it may help to spend less time there.
You'll be required to fill in some paperwork, mainly with your personal data. They will take photo, fingerprints and signature. Then you have to pass a written test and a behind-the-wheel test. You can take the first one immediately when you apply, while you have to schedule an appointment for the second one.
Written test
The written test is a closed answer test about traffic rules. You can take the test three times, even in the same day, without having to pay additional fees. You can take the test in your own language (for most languages); in this case you will have to fill in an additional page in the test, mainly proving that you can read English (there are some signs to understand). Remember that in the US you are not required to know most of the signs, as they are usually written signs ("maximum speed 65", "bump", "yield", "no turn on red").
As you can take the test three times and you pass the test with up to 6 errors on the whole test, you probably don't need a lot of study for it. You can download from the DMV website the Driver Handbook. If you go through it once you should know enough to pass the test. Pay some attention to speed limits in different areas, to DUI (driving under influence) laws and rules regarding pedestrians because they usually are in the test.
Before going to the actual test you can try some sample tests (they are the same of the 2006 Driver's Handbook).
Once you pass the written test (they check the results in front of you when you finish) you can immediately schedule a behind-the-wheel test and you get a temporary driving permit that is exactly a driving license except that it doesn't provide identification and it expires in some months.
Behind-the-wheel test
Once you have scheduled the behind-the-wheel test you have to go to the DMV to have the test with your own car. Having a perfectly working and insured (with you as a driver) car is required. It is the first check they do in the test and you have to come back another day if the car is not ok. A rented car is ok for the test, as long as you are one of the allowed drivers in the rental contract (that you have to bring with you). As soon as you arrive to the DMV, go inside to check in and then go in line with the car for the test (at least, this is how it works in San Diego Clairemont).
The test is composed of
- Pre-drive checklist
- Parking lot driving
- Driving test itself
- Parking
The pre-drive checklist is the first thing you have to do, at the beginning of the test. You can see the checklist in the far left column of the attached score sheet. The parking lot driving and the driving test consist only in following the instructor directions respecting the rules. The instructor will make you drive as long as needed, so that you complete the required number of maneuvers (8 intersections, 4 turns left, 4 turns right, …). He or she will mark on the score sheet every error (see attached score sheet).
Don't worry too much about errors: you can make 3 errors in the pre-drive checklist, no critical errors (see the bottom left corner of the score sheet) and 15 (!) errors in the driving test. You shouldn't have any problem in passing this if you already have a driving license.
Just pay attention to a couple of thing:
- you have to know the terms for the car parts, as you'll be required to point or activate them
- you have to know arm signs to turn left, turn right and to stop
- when stopping at a stop sign, the car has to come to a complete stop (it has to bounce back), before the line but not too far
- in the parking lot the speed limit is extremely low, drive slow and watch for people walking
- at the end of every block pedestrian can cross, even if there is no sign
- if a pedestrian is crossing the street at a road crossing, you have to wait behind your line, you cannot block the intersection
- when an intersection is regulated by stop signs, the first car arrived is the first one to pass, but everyone has to stop completely
- when backing your car (you'll be required to do so) keep looking back if the car is moving backwards
- when you turn right at an intersection, you have to move to the bike lane before turning; you have to do so when the bike lane becomes dashed
- remember SMOG when turning or changing lane: Signal, look in the Mirror, Overlook your shoulder and then Go
- at the traffic light you can turn right even if the red signal is on (you have to come to a complete stop before turning and there has to be no "no turn on red" sign)
- check the meaning of the flashing red light at traffic lights
- you have to learn the colors of the sidewalk, they tell if you can park there or not (red = no parking, white = passenger loading/unloading, green = 30min parking, etc…)
- remember that if you park on a slope, you have to turn your wheels accordingly (see the handbook); not only for the test, they fine people for that!
If the test is passed, you'll receive your driving license at your mailing address in more or less 10 days.
Some books and DVDs
Driving in the US
If you pass the driving test, you should know most of the rules you need to know to drive safely in California. One of the strictest rules enforces by police regards DUI (driving under influence, that is alcohol and/or drugs).
You can find some material about that in the Law and Rules section, and of course in the CA Driver's Handbook.
Useful links
- http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Foreign_Visitors_Driving.shtml Site details the rules for a foreign visitor to drive in the United States.
- http://thehague.usembassy.gov/driving_in_the_u2.s.html Contains information about driving in the U.S.
- http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ National Highway Safety Administration
