Independent information resource. Not affiliated with the California DMV. To book or transact, use dmv.ca.gov.
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DMVCA
Independent California DMV guide

California DMV — offices, licenses, registration & forms.

The complete independent guide to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Find your local office, renew your license, register a vehicle, and download official forms — all in one place.

Search guides, offices, forms… Search
About 170 field offices across 58 California counties
Find a DMV office
Near me · ~170 statewide
Renew driver's license
Online if eligible · 3 min
Register a vehicle
New · transfer · out-of-state
Make an appointment
Statewide finder

Find your DMV office

California has about 170 field offices across 58 counties. Browse the way that fits your search.

166
Office
All California DMV offices
54
County
Browse by county
12
Region / metro
LA Metro · Bay Area · SD…
9
Major city
Largest cities
4
Service
CDL · Saturday · Motorcycle…
Most searched: Los Angeles · Hope StSan FranciscoLong BeachSan DiegoSan JoseSacramentoOaklandFresno
Top services

What can we help you with?

Driver's license
New · renew · REAL ID
Vehicle registration
New · renew · transfer
Appointments
Book online
REAL ID
Federal ID for flying
Change of address
Update your address
Pay registration fees
Online · kiosk · mail
Forms & publications
All DL · REG · OL · INF
Practice tests
Free permit & driver tests
Motorcycle license
M1 · M2 · CMSP
Commercial (CDL)
Class A · B · C
Disabled placards
DP · DV · temporary
Business partners
AAA · DMV Now kiosks

Driver’s licenses & ID cards

California has 7 types of driver’s license and ID — from a Class C standard license to AB 60, REAL ID, and commercial CDL classes.

Full driver’s license guide

Vehicle registration

California registers ~14 million vehicles a year. Whether you’re buying new, moving from out of state, or selling — here’s what you need to know.

Full vehicle registration guide

Practice tests & driver education

Free California practice tests for permits, regular licenses, motorcycle, and commercial. Based on the 2026 CA Driver Handbook.

01
Free permit practice test
46 questions
 02
Written test by question type
Signs · rules · safe driving
 03
Motorcycle (M1) practice
Endorsement test
 04
CDL practice tests
Class A · B · Hazmat
 05
Senior knowledge test
Renewal at 70+
 06
Driver’s ed courses compared
Affiliate disclosure

Forms & fees

Every California DMV form — DL, REG, OL, INF — with current fees and step-by-step instructions.

Find a form — try "DL 44" or "REG 343"… Search
DL 44 Driver License or ID Card Application REG 343 Application for Title or Registration REG 227 Application for Duplicate Title DL 14 Notice of Change of Address REG 138 Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability DL 933 Disabled Person Placard Application
DMV forms & fees guide →
By driver type

Guides for your situation

Teen drivers
Senior drivers (70+)
New CA residents
Non-citizen drivers
Veterans
CDL drivers
Motorcyclists
Disabled drivers

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my nearest California DMV office?
Use our location finder — search by ZIP code, county, region, or city. California has about 170 DMV field offices, and you can filter by the services available, such as CDL testing, Saturday hours, or the motorcycle skills test.
What do I need to renew my California driver's license?
Most renewals can be done online if you're eligible. Otherwise bring proof of identity, your current license, and the renewal fee to a field office. Drivers 70 and older must renew in person.
How long does it take to get a REAL ID in California?
If your documents are in order, the in-office visit is straightforward and your REAL ID arrives by mail. A temporary paper license covers you until the card arrives. Check the official REAL ID page for current processing times.
Can I do DMV transactions online without visiting an office?
Many transactions — license and registration renewals, change of address, and fee payments — can be completed online at dmv.ca.gov. First-time licenses, REAL ID, and behind-the-wheel tests require an in-person visit.
How much does vehicle registration cost in California?
Registration is a base fee plus a Vehicle License Fee of 0.65% of your car's value, plus county and other charges. Use our fee calculator for an estimate specific to your vehicle and county.
What documents do I need for a new driver's license?
Bring proof of identity, proof of California residency, and your Social Security number. For a REAL ID you'll need additional documents. See our document checklist for your exact situation.
How do I make a DMV appointment?
Book online through the DMV appointment system or our statewide finder. Appointments are strongly recommended — walk-ins face the longest waits, especially mid-month and on Mondays.
What's the difference between a REAL ID and a regular license?
A REAL ID meets federal identification standards, so you can use it to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities. A standard license still works for driving but won't be accepted for those federal purposes.
Why trust us

How we work

Sourced from official records

Every page cites primary sources — California Vehicle Code, DMV publications, and state agency data.

Independently maintained

DMVCA is an independent publisher — not the DMV. Every page is fact-checked against official sources and corrected when they change.

Updated continuously

Pages are reviewed at least quarterly, and after any fee, law, or policy change.

Editorial standards · About us · How we research
Primary sources we cite. California DMV · California Legislative Information · California Vehicle Code · ca.gov
DMVCA is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles or any state agency.