New California Residents, License in 10 Days, Car in 20
If you move to California and intend to become a resident, you must get a California driver’s license within 10 days of becoming a resident; a vehicle you bring that was registered in another state or country must be registered in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing it into the state. The California DMV says you are a California resident if you intend to live in the state for six months or more in one year.
When you apply for a license, you must include your SSN if you have one or are eligible for one; people who cannot prove legal presence in the US can apply for an AB 60 license. The official rules for each item are covered section by section.
Deadlines for new California residents
| What to do | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Get a California driver’s license | Within 10 days of becoming a resident | DMV Fast Facts 5 |
| Register an out-of-state or foreign vehicle in California | Within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing the vehicle into the state | DMV new resident page |
| Transfer a newly bought vehicle into your name | Within 10 days of buying it | California Driver Handbook |
When you count as a California resident
The DMV new resident page says you are a California resident if you intend to live in the state for six months or more in one year (California DMV). It also gives these examples:
- Six months in the state: you are in California six months or longer within a 12-month period and are not visiting temporarily.
- Voting or resident tuition: you are registered to vote in California, or pay resident tuition at a California public college or university.
- Claiming resident-only benefits: you have claimed California residency to get a license, privilege or benefit that nonresidents cannot get.
Driver’s license within 10 days of becoming a resident
The DMV’s Fast Facts 5 says (California DMV FFDL 5, June 2020 edition):
- Visitors can drive first: a visitor over 18 with a valid license from their home state or country may drive in California while that license remains valid.
- Residents must switch: once you become a California resident, you must get a California license within 10 days.
- SSN: if you have an SSN or are eligible for one, you must include it on your application; for a REAL ID or commercial license, you must show proof of your SSN. If you are eligible but have not received one, contact SSA, and give the number to DMV once you get it.
- Proof of residency: a regular license needs 1 California residency document; a REAL ID license needs 2. For which documents can prove your address before you have any bills, see no utility bill yet after moving.
The DMV driver’s license page also says any Californian who can prove current legal presence in the US with an accepted identity document can get a standard or REAL ID license, including permanent residents (California DMV driver’s license page). You get three attempts at each knowledge test; if you fail the drive test, you must wait 14 days to retake it, with a $7 retest fee.
AB 60 license available without proof of legal presence
The California DMV says AB 60 licenses are for people who cannot prove legal presence in the US but meet the other DMV requirements and can prove their identity and California residency (California DMV).
Vehicles register an out-of-state car within 20 days
- Vehicles you bring: a vehicle registered in another state or country must be registered in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing it into the state (California DMV).
- Getting a job in California: the handbook says you must register within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job in California (California Driver Handbook, Section 11).
- Newly bought vehicles: you have 10 days after buying a vehicle to transfer ownership into your name.
What this article did not find
- Whether a Taiwan license can be exchanged in California without tests: this article did not find California exchange notes; start with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ license exchange page, covered in what to do before leaving Taiwan.
- California car insurance and Covered California: not covered here; for health coverage, see health insurance for new immigrants within 60 days of moving.
- California statute text: We could not open the California Legislature’s law website when we checked on 2026-10-28, so this article relies on the DMV’s explanations.
Frequently asked questions
I just arrived in California. Can I drive on my Taiwan license?
As a visitor over 18 with a valid license, yes. Once you become a California resident, you must get a California license within 10 days.
When do I count as a California resident?
The DMV says when you intend to live in California six months or more in one year; registering to vote or paying resident tuition also counts.
Can I get a California license without an SSN?
If you have an SSN or are eligible for one, you must include it. If you are eligible but have not received one, contact SSA. People who cannot prove legal presence can apply for an AB 60 license.
I drove here from another state. How soon must I register the car?
Within 20 days of becoming a California resident or bringing the car into the state.
How many proofs of residency does a REAL ID license need?
Two. A regular license needs one.
This item on the checklist
“Apply for a state ID or driver’s license” is a free item in the My USA Plan checklist . The first 30 items are free, and the full 91 items cost US$9.90 once, not a subscription. To compare license deadlines across states, see the first-year deadline table for new immigrants.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-28. This article is not legal advice.
- California DMV New California Resident Portal: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/special-interest-driver-guides/new-to-california/
- California DMV Fast Facts 5 (FFDL 5, REV. 6/2020): https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/fast-facts-5-requirements-for-a-california-drivers-license/
- California DMV Driver's Licenses: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/driver-licenses-dl/
- California Driver Handbook Section 11: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/vehicle-registration-requirements/