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Driving in the U.S.
If you are not a resident of California and are over 18 years old, and have a valid driver’s license from your home country, you may drive here without getting a California driver’s license (DL) as long as your home country license remains valid.
However, if you are planning to buy a car, most insurance companies will not provide coverage unless you have a valid California driver’s license. Also, since a driver's license is commonly used as a form of identification in the U.S. and would be useful if you drive temporarily in another state, it is recommended that you obtain a California DL.
Students who do not intend to drive or purchase a car may obtain a California Identification Card (ID) instead, which is also accepted as a form of identification. The eligibility requirements and some of the steps are the same for DL and ID applications.
Eligibility requirements to obtain a California Driver’s License or ID
- Age 18 years or older
- Provide your Social Security Number (SSN)
- If you don't have an SSN
You should answer "no" to the question on the application form that asks you if you are eligible for a Social Security Number.
- The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) information includes an exception from the SSN requirement for those individuals who are legally present in the U.S., but are not eligible for a SSN.
We recommend that students without an SSN submit their applications at the following DMV offices:
Santa Clara DMV Office
Make an appointment online.
3665 Flora Vista Avenue
Santa Clara, 95051
San Jose DMV Office
111 W. Alma Avenue
San Jose, 95110
If you already have an SSN, you can apply
at any DMV office.
- Demonstrate lawful presence in the United States by bringing your passport, I-94 and I-20 with your application.
New students: Please wait two weeks after the beginning of your first quarter at Foothill before visiting the DMV office. We will not be able to verify that you are in lawful F-1 immigration status before the end of the second week of your first quarter. The DMV will send an inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify that an F-1 status applicant is in lawful immigration status. Your application for a California DL or ID may be denied if the DHS information indicates that you are not in lawful status. However, there may be some cases when the information is not current or the records have an error. If the DMV informs you that you are not in lawful immigration status according to the DHS records, you should request the exact information that the DMV received from DHS and bring it to the International Student Office for a consultation.
Procedure for Obtaining a California Driver’s License (Over 18):
Please visit the DMV Web site for specific instructions.
- Visit a DMV office (address above). You can make an appointment online for faster service.
- Complete application form DL 44.
- Give a thumb print and have your picture taken.
- Provide your Social Security Number. For exceptions, please read the eligibility section above.
- Verify your birth date and legal presence in the U.S. You must bring your passport, I-94 card and I-20. The DMV will use these documents to verify your lawful status in the DHS database.
- Provide your true full name.
- Pay the application fee. The fee for an original class C license is $28.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Pass the written test about traffic laws and signs. The test is offered in many foreign languages. To prepare for the written test, you can obtain a copy of the California Driver's Handbook in the local DMV office, download it or practice some sample test questions.
- If you have never had a license before, you will be issued a learner's permit. To practice driving, there must be a California licensed adult, 18 years of age or older, in the vehicle with you. It is illegal for you to drive alone with a permit only.
- Take the driving test. You must bring your own car. Make sure that your car meets all the requirements. Make an appointment for a driving test online.
You will be required to take the driving test even if you have a license from another country. If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived.
- Pass your driving test and receive an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail.
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