How to apply for a driver license if you are over 18
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.
If you take a job here or become a resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner's property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.
CALIFORNIA CODES
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 12800-12819
12800. Every application for an original or a renewal of a driver's
license shall contain all of the following information:
(a) The applicant's true full name, age, sex, mailing address,
residence address, and social security account number.
(b) A brief description of the applicant for the purpose of
identification.
(c) A legible print of the thumb or finger of the applicant.
(d) The type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the
applicant desires to operate.
(e) Whether the applicant has ever previously been licensed as a
driver and, if so, when and in what state or country and whether or
not the license has been suspended or revoked and, if so, the date of
and reason for the suspension or revocation. (f) Whether the applicant has ever previously been refused a
driver's license in this state and, if so, the date of and the reason
for the refusal.
...
(j) Any other information that is necessary to enable the
department to determine whether the applicant is entitled to a
license under this code.
...
12805. The department shall not issue a driver's license to, or
renew a driver's license of, any person: (a) Who is not of legal age to receive a driver's license.
(b) Whose best corrected visual acuity is 20/200 or worse in that
person's better eye, as verified by an optometrist or
ophthalmologist. No person may use a bioptic telescopic or similar
lens to meet the 20/200 visual acuity standards.
(c) Who is unable, as shown by examination, to understand traffic
signs or signals or who does not have a reasonable knowledge of the
provisions of this code governing the operations of vehicles upon the
highways.
(d) When it is determined, by examination or other evidence, that
the person is unable to safely operate a motor vehicle upon a
highway.
(e) Who is unable to read and understand simple English used in
highway traffic and directional signs. This subdivision does not
apply to any person holding an operator's or chauffeur's license
issued by this state and valid on September 11, 1957.
(f) Who holds a valid driver's license issued by a foreign
jurisdiction unless the license has been surrendered to the
department, or is lost or destroyed.
(g) Who has ever held, or is the holder of, a license to drive
issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United
States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
and that license has been suspended by reason, in whole or in part,
of a conviction of a traffic violation until the suspension period
has terminated, except that the department may issue a license to the
applicant if, in the opinion of the department, it will be safe to
issue a license to a person whose license to drive was suspended by a
state that is not a party to the Driver License Compact provided for
in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 15000) of Division 6.
...12808. (a) The department shall, before issuing or renewing any
license, check the record of the applicant for conviction of traffic
violations, traffic accidents, reports filed pursuant to Section
103900 of the Health and Safety Code, reports filed pursuant to
Section 13803, or notices issued pursuant to Section 21061.
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