California · 173 DMV offices in 58 counties
California DMV, in one trip.
Office hours, what to bring, and whether you can skip the line and do it online. In plain English.
Step 1 · Your state
California
Step 2 · What do you need?
Or find an office near you
- Free, no sign-up
- Every rule cites California DMV
- We never charge state fees
Start with the task
What are you here to do?
Renew a driver license
Most Californians can renew online. Check in 4 questions.
Fee $46 · 10 min online, or 1 visit
Check in 4 questionsReplace a lost or stolen license
Lost, stolen or damaged? Regular licenses can be replaced online.
Plan itGet a learner permit
From 15½. Apply online, then pass the knowledge test at an office.
Plan itSchedule a drive test
Drive tests need an appointment. Check you're ready in 3 questions.
Plan itChange your address
California asks you to tell the DMV within 10 days. It's free online.
Plan itMoving to California
License in 10 days, car in 20. What to do first.
Plan itGet a REAL ID
Look for the golden bear and star before you book anything.
Check my card
Your car
Registration, titles and inspections
Renew car registration
Online, at a kiosk that prints the sticker, or by mail. 2 questions.
Plan itBuy or sell a car
Title transfer, smog, use tax and the seller's 5-day notice. 2 questions.
Plan itSmog check
Every other year for most cars, and when you sell. See if yours needs one.
Plan itEvery fee in one place
Licenses, IDs, registration, titles and inspections, each linked to its official source.
See California fees
Who does what
How the DMV works in California
In California one agency, the DMV, runs every office and handles both driver licenses and car registration. Most tasks start online, and many never need a visit. Here's how it works.
DMV field offices
Licenses, IDs and vehicles
Full-service offices for permits, tests, REAL ID, registration and titles. Book ahead or walk in; drive tests need an appointment.
California DMV siteExpress offices, kiosks and partners
Quicker, for simple tasks
Express offices handle a short list of tasks, with no appointments. Kiosks and business partners renew registration and print stickers.
DMV office finderWhy people come back
No more second trips.
Most wasted DMV visits come down to a missing paper or the wrong office. We fix both before you leave home.
- 01
Answer a few questions
We tell you if you can do it online and skip the trip entirely.
- 02
Get your checklist
Only the papers your situation needs. Tick them off as you pack.
- 03
Go at the right time
Status based on published hours, and a straight link to book.
Near Downtown Los Angeles
DMV offices around Downtown Los Angeles
Lincoln Park DMV Office
California DMV · Los Angeles · 2.0 mi
Los Angeles DMV Office
California DMV · Los Angeles · 3.8 mi
Hollywood DMV Office
California DMV · Hollywood · 5.5 mi
Offices by city
All citiesCalifornia rules worth knowing
- New residents: license in 10 days
- Get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident. You'll take the knowledge test.
- Register your car in 20 days
- With a REG 31 vehicle verification and, for most 1976 and newer cars, a smog check.
- Renew online in the window
- From 90 days before to 12 months after expiry, if nothing needs changing. $46.
- Address changes: 10 days
- Free online. No new card unless you pay $37 for one.
- Teens: 6 months, 50 hours
- Hold the permit 6 months and log 50 practice hours (10 at night) before the drive test.
- Drive tests need an appointment
- They're never given without one. A retest costs $9.
Permit test practice
Pass the knowledge test the first time.
Real California rules, a clear explanation after every answer, and your weak topics called out at the end.
Sample question · Safety and law
If you're under 21, it's illegal to drive with a BAC of:
- A0.01% or more
- B0.02% or more
- C0.05% or more
Straight answers
Questions people ask
Still stuck? How to make a California DMV appointment, or see how we check facts.
California office data from California DMV's own office pages. Wait times on office pages are read live from California DMV.