Your Canadian licence works for the full year only while Canada remains your domicile; once you establish California residency, the exemption ends after 10 days, and you still may not drive yourself to or from the DMV road test.

§12502(a)(1)

(a) The following persons may operate a motor vehicle in this state without obtaining a driver’s license under this code: (1) A nonresident over the age of 18 years having in his or her immediate possession a valid driver’s license issued by a foreign jurisdiction of which he or she is a resident, except as provided in Section 12505.

§12505(a)(1), (a)(D), (b), (c)

(a) (1) For purposes of this division only and notwithstanding Section 516, residency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. ‘State of domicile’ means the state where a person has their true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which the person has manifested the intention of returning whenever they are absent. Prima facie evidence of residency for driver’s licensing purposes includes, but is not limited to, the following: (D) Other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in the state is more than temporary or transient. (b) The presumption of residency in this state may be rebutted by satisfactory evidence that the licensee’s primary residence is in another state. (c) A person entitled to an exemption under Section 12502, 12503, or 12504 may operate a motor vehicle in this state for not to exceed 10 days from the date the person establishes residence in this state, except that a person shall not operate a motor vehicle for employment in this state after establishing residency without first obtaining a license from the department.

If you are a visitor in California over 18 years old and have a valid DL from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California DL as long as your home state DL remains valid. If you become a California resident, you must get a California DL within 10 days.

Situation #3: DL issued by another country

To take your driving test: Schedule a driving test appointment (driving tests are not given without an appointment). Provide proof of financial responsibility (insurance) that meets or exceeds California insurance requirements. Note If you have a valid DL from another country, an accompanying driver is required to and from the drive test.

Behind-the-wheel test: what to bring

On the day of your behind-the-wheel test, you must bring: Your instruction permit or driver’s license (if you have one). Another California-licensed driver who is at least 18 years old (25 for minors), unless you are already licensed to drive. A vehicle that is safe to drive for your test. Valid proof of insurance and vehicle registration. If you plan to use a rental vehicle for your drive test, your name must be listed on the rental contract. The contract must not exclude behind-the-wheel drive tests.

Appointments can be made at dmv.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-777-0133. 1-800-777-0133 TTY 1-800-368-4327 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Driver License fee table, Class C

|License Class Class C |Application – Original – Renewal – Adding a motorcycle license (Class M1/M2) |Fee $46 |

Renters must be at least 20 years old to rent a vehicle at most locations in the U.S. and Canada. In Michigan, New York and the province of Quebec, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is 18. In Alabama and Nebraska, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is 19. A valid driver’s license (in good standing for over a year).

Check the school’s license status on our Occupational License Lookup. The school must be licensed and bonded by the DMV.