Since 1931, the California Department of Motor Vehciels provides a multitude of motor vehicle and driver services. You can view register your vehicle here, get a driver’s license, transfer vehicle titles and much more. Everyone that drives has had some experience with dealing with the California DMV. More than almost any other government institution. The California DMV has affected almost every facet of the Californian lifestyle since there are more drivers in California than any other state. Becoming familiar with the California DMV is a must if you’re a California resident but often times it means waiting in line to talk to someone. Another option, if you want to save time, is to visit the DMV online. There also some DMV services that can be handled by phone or fax.
How to Obtain a California Drivers License through the DMV?
To start with, you will have to visit your local California DMV. You can locate the nearest one with this Free DMV Finder. Once you have entered the office, an employee will ask you to fill out the California drivers license or Identification Card Application. You will also have to prove your identity before you will be eligible. After you have proved your identity, you will have to pay the $33 for the driver’s license fee. In addition to those requirements, you will also have to pass the written test of all the laws and driving regulations. You will also be asked to complete a road test. Sometimes a California resident will have a hard time proving their legal presence in the United States. To get past this, you can apply for an AB-60 Driver’s License because of the CA AB-60 Law. To learn more about the requirements of an AB-60 license, go to California Department of Motor Vehicles
What are the California DMV Records Printout?
The printout will give you a summary of your California DMV driving records over a specified length of time. What you learn in this information will vary from state to state because every state has different driving laws, record keeping processes and regulations. Because driver’s licenses get issued at the state level, the printouts also get issued at the state level. What will you find in the California driving records printout? Some of the information included din the DMV printout is listed below.
What is Included in a California DMV Printout
- DMV points system information
- Traffic convictions and traffic tickets
- Personal information like what has been listed on your license
- The driver’s license state
- Whether your license is suspended, active or expired
What Is the Driving Points System?
Like a handful of other states, California employs a driving points system, which accumulates based on your traffic convictions, traffic accidents and your traffic violations. These violations remain on your driving record for between three to 10 years, and it will depend on the type of violation. In the state of California, minor traffic violations and car accidents will stay on your record for up to three years. For those convicted of a DUI or reckless driving, you may have this on your driving record for up to 10 years.
How to Lookup Driving Records
You can look at and request your California driving records driving records online. However, the California driving records obtained online do not classify as an official document, and you will have to request the official document. You print out the form and mail it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Before you do this, however, first check to make sure your printer will be ready to print out the driver’s record because you only get one opportunity after you have paid the $2 printout fee. You can pay the fee via:
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- eCheck
Other Services the DMV Offers
The DMV provides you with a ton of valuable services whether it’s an estimate of your vehicle registration fees with the vehicle registration fee calculator or vehicle registration renewal. You might also do a notice of transfer and release of liability for when you sold your car. Some of the other services include:
DMV Driver Services
- Vehicle Registration
- Drivers License Testing
- Personalized plates
- Affidavit of non-use
- Mobilehome renewal registration
- Occupational license information
- Register to vote
- Traffic payment
- Change of address
Important to note, whenever you change your address, you will have to visit the DMV to update it on your driver’s license within 10 days of moving. If you fail to update your address within this time period and you get pulled over by a police officer, you can get a fine. You can also change your address online. However, you cannot change your address online if you:
- Don’t have a social security number
- Have an address outside the United States
- Have a fleet post office or army post office
- Have a commercial driver’s license issued from the state of California while you reside in another state
If any of this applies to you, you can print off the Change of Address(DMV14)PDF form. From there, you can mail it in. A change of address doesn’t require an in-person visit to the DMV.
How to Obtain a Duplicate License?
If you want to replace your license credentials within the state of California, you will have to visit your local DMV office in-person. After you have arrived, you will have to fill out your driver’s license or identification card application. You will also have to stand in the photo booth and have your picture taken. Once you have done this, you will submit your thumbprint and choose a method of payment to help with the replacement of a lost or stolen ID card.
These are some of the services the DMV of California might be able to help you with. If you have any questions, you can visit the FAQs page specific to California. However, other states might have different laws, so if you move to another state, you may want to check again to make sure. In some cases, the best approach is to go in-person because you can eliminate much of the confusion.
I am a licensed Ohio driver and am currently applying to take the Ohio Bar Exam. I need to list all my driver’s license numbers within the past 10 years. 10 years ago I was a licensed California driver (Los Angeles) however I do not have access to that license or my number at this time and was hoping you could point me in the right direction. Thank you!
Logan, you will need to contact the CA DMV directly to obtain that information. You can call them directly or visit a branch in person to expedite the process.
Waiting over six weeks for address change.
I know you have received the application because I received the voter registration card. Please advise
Susan, you will need to contact the California DMV directly about your address change inquiry. Their direct phone number is 800-777-0133
I\’m Micah Harris. 5/24/87 I\’m in Oklahoma City, OK and just tried to get my drivers license but it was put on hold because the DMV said I have to take care of a ticket in California and gave me a CA license number. I haven’t lived in California in a few years and can\’t seem to get through and i don\’t have a clue what department or details on what I\’m looking for!! Please help
Thank you for reaching out about our California DMV blog Micah. To answer your question, you will need to contact the California Courts to resolve any unpaid traffic violations and additional fines and late fees. You can visit the California Court website for more information @ courts.ca.gov
How to Pay a Traffic Citation in California
To pay your California traffic citation, after it’s been processed by the CA courts, you can contact the court to pay your traffic citation, and any additional fines and late fees either online, over the phone or in person
How can I get my I\’d card or I\’d number
In order to obtain a copy of your California ID from the California DMV you will need visit a CA DMV office in person. There you can fill out an ID card replacement form (DL44) and show proof of identification. Then you will need to pay the $29 fee for a replacement California ID card and you will receive it by mail within a few weeks.
How To Replace My California ID
1. Visit a California DMV office
2. Fill out an ID Application Form (DL44)
3. Show proof of ID, SSN, DOB, residency
4. Pay the $29 fee and receive your ID by mail
My uncle is on a family emergency on Guam and needs to replace his lost California drivers license, how can we get a proof of his California license to get a replacement?
To replace your California driver’s license you will need to reach out to the California DMV directly. They are the managing state agency for issuing and replacing a lost California driver’s license as well as a multitude of other California vehicle and driver related resources. To replace a lost California driver’s license you will need to fill out the CA driver’s license application and show proper identification. This is something you must do at the California DMV office in person
How to Replace a Lost California Drivers License
1. Visit your local California DMV office in person
2. Complete a Driver’s License ID Card application
3. Show proof of ID, SSN or birth certificate
4. Pay the $28 fee for a driver’s license replacement
5. A new license will be mailed to you in a few weeks
Hello. My question is I buy a 1970 volkswagen. In a yard sale. Car is on the back yard for many. Years. And they sale to me. With out title. I know was. A big mistake. Bought like the what can I do to register these car.
You will want to go to the California DMV in person and request to have this vehicle registered and fill out a form for a duplicate title. Since there wasn’t a title you will need to show any available documentation on the vehicle and the bill of sale. You are not the only one that has had this issue and it’s best practice to visit the DMV in person to resolve this issue.
How to Register a Car With No Title
1. Visit your local DMV office in person
2. Check to see who the car is currently registered to
3. Provide the bill of sale and seller’s information
4. Fill out a form for a duplicate title
5. Get a smog check and register the vehicle
I received a jury service notice saying I must report for service on 10/4 2017 from my ex-wife’s address. I moved out of the state of California back on 11/1 2015.I have since lived in three different states, Colorado Washington and now Nevada. I applied for new driver licenses and received new licenses in all three states. I have changed my address in all three states. I have changed my voter registration in all three states. Why then am I getting a notice for jury duty from the state of California ?? Look it up, badge number: 002860372 report date: 10/4/2017 group number: 0032.
There are delays when reporting changes to the California DMV so perhaps this is the issue. Another possibility is that if you mailed in your change of address it was not received by the correct department. Below is how to change your address online with the California Motor Vehicle Department
You may also have the California DMV to notify the California Secretary of State of the change of address. This should fix the issue with you getting notified for jury duty in the state of California
How to Notify the California DMV of a Change of Address
1. Visit the California DMV website online
2. Register with DMV.CA.gov to use their online services
3. Fill out the change of address form online
4. Provide your drivers license number and vehicle registration information
5. Processing may take a few weeks
Chalene L James
Died on sept 13th 2017. Her bdate was july 2 she was 72 and died in crescent city ca. Her vehicle was a chevy colorado. Just want to see if this is still in her name. Due to ins wanting payment. If not was it legally done?
You will want to contact the California DMV for the title information about this vehicle. If you are immediate family than you should have no issues with locating the information you’re looking for from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
10 year
If you are looking for an official 10 year California driver history check, you will want to contact the California DMV directly for this information.
How to Get My California 10 Year Driving Record?
1. Visit the California DMV website or office
2. Fill out the 10 Year Driver History Record Check form
3. Fill out the required fields
4. Pay the $5 fee to obtain an official copy