Moving to California, REAL ID and renewals

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state how soon new residents must get a California license.
• You can explain which tests an out-of-state or foreign license holder takes.
• You can explain what REAL ID is used for and what it needs.
• You can describe how renewal works, including the rules at age 70.
• You can explain what to do if your license expires while you are out of state.

What you need to know and understand

• Visitors aged 18 or older with a valid home-state or home-country license may drive in California while that license stays valid.
• New residents who want to drive must get a California license within 10 days.
• Out-of-state license holders must pass a knowledge test; the DMV's steps for them do not include a drive test.
• Foreign license holders take the knowledge test and a drive test.
• Since May 2025, you need a REAL ID or another accepted document to board domestic flights, enter military bases and most federal facilities.
• The DMV mails a renewal notice about 90 days before your license expires.
• Drivers aged 70 or older when their license expires must renew in person and pass a vision test.
• If you are out of state when your license expires, you can ask for a one-year extension before it runs out.

Becoming a California resident

Once you become a resident, you have 10 days to get a California license if you want to drive. Residency includes things like voting in a California election or paying in-state tuition. Register your car within 20 days too.

With a valid license from another US state, start the application online, then visit a DMV office with your identity document, Social Security number and residency proofs. You pay the fee, give a thumbprint, pass a vision test and pass the knowledge test, with up to three attempts. The DMV's steps for this route do not include a drive test. With a foreign license, you follow the same steps and also take a drive test, bringing proof of insurance and a licensed driver to go with you. Our guide to transferring an out-of-state license covers this in more depth.

REAL ID and other card choices

• A REAL ID card has a bear and star in the top corner and needs proof of identity, Social Security number and two residency documents.
• A standard license is fine for driving but not for boarding domestic flights.
• California issues licenses to residents regardless of immigration status (often called AB 60 licenses). These cannot be REAL ID cards.
• ID cards are for identification only and do not let you drive.

Keeping your license current

Driving on an expired license is illegal. Check the current renewal fee on the DMV website before you apply.

1. Watch for the renewal notice, mailed about 90 days before expiry. If none arrives, apply online or at an office anyway.
2. Renew online if you are eligible; if a knowledge test is needed, you may be able to choose the no-fail eLearning course.
3. If you are 70 or older at expiry, renew in person and pass a vision test.
4. If you will be out of state when it expires, email the DMV for a one-year extension before the expiry date. Limited-term licenses cannot be extended.
5. Report a new address within 10 days and replace a lost card; the old card is invalid once the new one arrives.

Common mistakes

• Driving for months on an old state's license after moving. The 10-day rule applies once you are a resident.
• Assuming a foreign license is swapped without a road test.
• Bringing only one residency document when applying for REAL ID.
• Waiting for a renewal notice that went to an old address.

Test yourself: Moving to California, REAL ID and renewals

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Transfer an Out-of-State License to California
• California 50 Hours Driving Log
• California AB 60 Driver’s License