1. How many days does a new California resident have to apply for a California driver's license after establishing residency?

• ✓ 10 days
• 20 days
• 30 days

California Vehicle Code Section 12505 requires new residents to apply for a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency in the state.

2. How many days does a new resident have to register a vehicle that was previously registered in another state or country?

• 10 days
• ✓ 20 days
• 45 days

New residents must register an out-of-state vehicle with the California DMV within 20 days of bringing it into the state or becoming a resident, whichever applies.

3. Which of these actions is considered evidence that someone has established California residency?

• ✓ Registering to vote in California
• Visiting California for a two-week vacation
• Owning a vacation rental property in California that they never occupy

Registering to vote, paying resident tuition, or claiming a homeowner's property tax exemption are all treated as evidence that a person now intends to make California their home.

4. Can a new resident complete an out-of-state license transfer entirely online?

• ✓ No, it requires an in-person visit to a DMV field office
• Yes, as long as the applicant uploads a photo of their old license
• Yes, but only for residents moving from a neighboring state

Transferring an out-of-state license to a California license requires an in-person appointment at a DMV field office; there is no fully online option for this transaction.

5. A new resident holds a valid, unexpired driver's license from another U.S. state. What testing does California typically require to transfer it?

• ✓ A vision screening and the written knowledge test, but not a behind-the-wheel test
• A full behind-the-wheel road test only
• No testing of any kind, only a document review

Drivers transferring a valid, unexpired license from another U.S. state generally take a vision screening and the California written test, while the behind-the-wheel drive test is waived.

6. What happens to a driver's out-of-state license once their new California driver's license is issued?

• ✓ It must be surrendered to the DMV
• It stays valid for use when traveling outside California
• It automatically converts into a California learner's permit

Once the California license is issued, the previous out-of-state license is no longer valid and must be turned in to the DMV as part of the transfer process.

7. What form is typically required to have a vehicle's identification number checked when registering an out-of-state vehicle in California?

• ✓ REG 31, the Verification of Vehicle form
• DL 44, the Driver's License Application
• FTB 3533, a state tax form

Out-of-state vehicles need a VIN verification, completed on form REG 31 by a DMV employee, a licensed vehicle verifier, or law enforcement, before registration can be finished.

8. Does a resident renewing registration on a vehicle less than 4 years old skip the smog check the same way a new resident does when first registering that same vehicle?

• ✓ No, new residents must still get a California smog certificate at first registration regardless of the vehicle's age exemption for renewals
• Yes, the same age-based exemption applies equally to both situations
• Yes, but only if the vehicle was purchased new

The exemption that lets newer vehicles skip smog checks applies to renewals by existing California-registered owners, not to a new resident's first-time registration of an out-of-state vehicle.

9. Will California accept a smog inspection certificate issued by another state when a new resident registers their vehicle?

• ✓ No, a California-specific smog inspection is required
• Yes, if the certificate was issued within the last 90 days
• Yes, as long as the other state uses similar emissions standards

California does not accept out-of-state smog certificates. New residents must have their vehicle inspected at a California smog station before it can be registered.

10. What must a new resident have in place before completing vehicle registration in California?

• ✓ Proof of insurance meeting California's minimum coverage requirements
• A completed federal tax return showing a California address
• A California voter registration card

California requires proof of financial responsibility, most commonly liability insurance meeting the state's minimum coverage limits, before a vehicle can be registered.

11. As of 2025, what are California's minimum liability insurance limits?

• ✓ $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage
• $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage
• $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage

California raised its minimum liability coverage to 30/60/15 starting with policies renewing on or after January 1, 2025, replacing the older 15/30/5 minimums that had been in place for decades.

12. A driver moved to California only to attend a four-year university and has not registered to vote, taken a job, or claimed resident tuition. Do they need to transfer their out-of-state license right away?

• ✓ No, students who have not otherwise established residency can generally keep their home-state license while attending school
• Yes, all students must transfer within 10 days of arriving on campus regardless of residency status
• Yes, but only if they are majoring in a California-based degree program

Being physically present in California to attend school does not by itself establish residency; the transfer requirement kicks in once a person takes actions like voting registration or claiming in-state tuition.

13. Under California's REAL ID rules, what changed for driver's licenses starting May 7, 2025?

• ✓ A REAL ID-compliant license or ID became required to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities
• All existing California licenses were automatically invalidated
• New residents were exempted from needing any form of ID to drive

Since May 7, 2025, travelers need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of federal ID to board domestic commercial flights or access certain federal facilities.

14. What kind of documentation does a new resident need to prove California residency when applying for a REAL ID?

• ✓ Two original documents showing their California physical address
• A single photocopy of any utility bill
• A letter from their previous state's DMV confirming their move

REAL ID applicants must present two original documents, such as a utility bill or lease, that show their current California physical address.

15. A new resident holds a valid driver's license issued by a foreign country. What should they generally expect when applying for a California license?

• ✓ They may need to complete the vision screening, written knowledge test, and a behind-the-wheel driving test
• Their foreign license transfers automatically with no testing required
• They must wait one full year of California residency before applying

Most holders of foreign driver's licenses are treated as new drivers by California and must pass the vision screening, written test, and behind-the-wheel drive test, though a small number of countries have different arrangements.

16. Which of the following is required to register an out-of-state vehicle in California?

• ✓ A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343)
• A copy of the vehicle's original factory warranty
• A letter of good standing from the previous state's DMV

New residents complete a REG 343 application along with their out-of-state title, proof of insurance, and other required documents to register a vehicle in California.

17. Active-duty nonresident military members stationed in California may operate a vehicle using which license plates?

• ✓ Valid plates from their home state or the state where they were previously stationed
• Temporary California dealer plates only
• No plates are required for active-duty military vehicles

Nonresident military personnel can generally keep driving on valid plates from their home state or prior duty station without immediately registering the vehicle in California.

18. What happens when a nonresident military member stationed in California decides to become a California resident?

• ✓ They must file a Statement of Facts and pay a prorated vehicle license fee to cancel their nonresident military exemption
• Their vehicle registration is automatically canceled and must be redone from scratch
• They are permanently exempt from ever registering their vehicle in California

Once a nonresident military owner establishes California residency, they submit a Statement of Facts noting the date residency began and pay a prorated share of the vehicle license fee.