Article 3 - Issuance and Renewal of Licenses
California Vehicle Code — §§ 12800-12819
Sections (54)
Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 332, Sec. 4. (AB 2537) Effective January 1, 2023.
in subdivision (a) shall be included upon the next scheduled revision of the driver’s license application subsequent to the release of the Department of Justice’s video on proper conduct during a traffic stop created pursuant to Section 1656.1.
Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 482, Sec. 9. (AB 1766) Effective January 1, 2023.
their true residence address.
Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 447, Sec. 1. (AB 852) Effective January 1, 2015.
may be commenced in a court of competent jurisdiction by the Attorney General, or by the district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney of the location in which the violation occurred.
Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 862, Sec. 3. (AB 2189) Effective January 1, 2013.
authorized under federal law pursuant to subdivision (a) and either a social security account number or ineligibility for a social security account number.
Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 296, Sec. 61. (AB 1096) Effective January 1, 2022.
proof that the applicant’s presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.
Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 339, Sec. 8. (SB 838) Effective September 13, 2016.
unable to verify the applicant’s presence before the temporary driver’s license expires, the department shall, at least 15 days before the temporary driver’s license expires, extend the temporary driver’s license for an additional 120 days and notify the applicant by mail that the temporary driver’s license is being extended.
presence in the United States has been reauthorized or extended by federal law, the department shall adjust the expiration date of the driver’s license so that it does not exceed the expiration date of the revised federal document submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 12801.5 and complies with the related requirements of this code.
Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 311, Sec. 25. (SB 883) Effective January 1, 2024. Conditionally inoperative as provided in subd. (m).
the person provides satisfactory proof to the department of the person’s identity and California residency.
appropriate interested parties, in accordance with the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), including law enforcement representatives, immigrant rights representatives, labor representatives, and other stakeholders, which may include, but are not limited to, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, and the California Police Chiefs Association. The department shall accept various types of documentation for this purpose, including, but not limited to, the following documents:
return.
(B) An identification card issued pursuant to this section shall bear the following notice: “This card is not acceptable for official federal purposes. This identification card is issued only as a means of identification. It does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.”
provided in Section 12800.5.
13005.5, respectively, as added by the act that added this paragraph.
person holds or presents a license or identification card issued under this section, including, but not limited to, the following:
presents a driver’s license or identification card issued pursuant to this section, or for an employer or other covered entity to require a person to present a driver’s license, unless possessing a driver’s license is required by law or is required by the employer and the employer’s requirement is otherwise permitted by law. This section shall not be construed to limit or expand an employer’s authority to require a person to possess a driver’s license.
violation of law.
or activity that is funded directly or receives financial assistance from the state, to discriminate against an individual because the individual holds or presents a license or identification card issued pursuant to this section, including by notifying a law enforcement agency of the individual’s identity or that the individual carries a license or identification card issued under this section if a notification is not required by law or would not have been provided if the individual held a license issued pursuant to Section 12801 or an identification card issued pursuant to Section 13000.
Title 1 of the Government Code), and shall not be disclosed to any unauthorized person or used for any purpose other than to establish identity and authorization to drive, as applicable.
order. Immigration enforcement, as defined in Section 7284.4 of the Government Code, does not constitute an urgent health and safety need for purposes of this subdivision.
until June 30, 2030.
Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 524, Sec. 16. (AB 60) Effective January 1, 2014. Section operative January 1, 2015, or sooner, as provided in subd. (m). Conditionally inoperative as provided in subd. (n).
Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 524, Sec. 17. (AB 60) Effective January 1, 2014. Conditionally inoperative as prescribed by its own provisions.
the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature and to the Governor, and shall post this information on its Internet Web site.
Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 254, Sec. 5. (AB 174) Effective September 23, 2021.
Every original application shall be signed and verified by the applicant under penalty of perjury and the applicant shall submit such evidence of age as the department may require, and, if the applicant is a minor, the application shall also be signed and verified as provided in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 9.
Amended (as amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 118) by Stats. 1999, Ch. 22, Sec. 7. Effective May 26, 1999. Operative July 1, 1999, by Sec. 46 of Ch. 22.
Before issuing a driver’s license or permit to any person under 21 years of age, both of the following shall occur:
Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.
Upon application for an original license, except student licenses, the department shall require an examination of the applicant and shall make provision therefor before an officer or employee or authorized representative of the department in the county wherein the applicant resides.
Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 397, Sec. 3. (SB 810) Effective January 1, 2018.
Federal Regulations.
permanent driving record of the person, together with a fee of twelve dollars ($12).
class C driver’s license and the distance which the vehicle is being operated between the final point of distribution and the ultimate point of application or from part of a farm to another part thereof, or from one farm to another, is not more than 50 miles.
of the penalties and sanctions prescribed by Article 7 (commencing with Section 15300) of Chapter 7, the operation of a vehicle pursuant to this subdivision is deemed to be the operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 97.
The class of vehicles permitted to be operated as shown on a driver’s license held by a minor shall not be changed, unless the parents, guardians, or person having custody of such minor gives written consent to the department for such a change.
Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 574, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2007.
implementation program for transit busdrivers to meet these requirements. A transit busdriver who was employed as a busdriver on or before July 1, 1990, shall comply with Section 40085.5 of the Education Code instead of Section 40083 of that code in order to receive his or her original certificate.
of the Education Code.
Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 272, Sec. 25. Effective August 2, 1993.
Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9, class C also includes any two-axle motortruck or implement of husbandry weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing an implement of husbandry as specified in subdivision (n) of Section 36005, except that those vehicles shall not be operated in excess of 25 miles per hour on the highways and for not more than 25 miles on the highway from their point of origin.
Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 546, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1994.
driver’s license or renewal of a driver’s license, or any person subject to reexamination under Section 13801, to submit to one or more tests or examinations which are part of a study.
Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 658, Sec. 3. Effective October 10, 2001.
bumpers, shall obtain a noncommercial class B driver’s license with house car endorsement as described in this subdivision. The applicant for that endorsement shall pass a specialized written examination and demonstrate the ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating that vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. Upon satisfactory completion of the examination and demonstration, the applicant shall be issued a noncommercial class B driver’s license with house car endorsement by the department. Upon application for an endorsement to operate this vehicle, and every two years thereafter, the applicant shall submit medical information on a form approved by the department.
Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 97, Sec. 1. (AB 2438) Effective January 1, 2015.
noncommercial class B license as described in Section 12804.10.
completed Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A taught by an instructor registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal or fire department driver training that meets all of the following requirements:
(ii) Prepares the applicant to safely operate the department’s fire equipment that the applicant will be authorized to operate.
(iii) Includes a classroom (cognitive) portion of at least 16 hours.
(iv) Includes a manipulative portion of at least 14 hours, which includes directly supervised behind-the-wheel driver training.
(C) Driver training shall be conducted by a person who is registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal to instruct a Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A course or a person who meets all of the following criteria:
(ii) Possesses a valid California class A or B license or a class A or B license restricted to the operation of firefighting equipment or a class C license with a firefighter endorsement.
(iii) Is certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
written firefighter examination developed by the department with the cooperation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(A) The equipment is operated by a person employed as a firefighter
by a federal or state agency, by a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or by a tribal fire department or registered as a volunteer member of a regularly organized fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or of a tribal fire department.
(B) The motor vehicle is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and which is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or a tribal fire department.
that is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located.
Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 10, Sec. 14. Effective February 9, 1996.
subdivision (a) shall, upon application and every two years thereafter, submit medical information on a form approved by the department.
Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 658, Sec. 4. Effective October 10, 2001.
house car.
Repealed (in Sec. 9) and added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 339, Sec. 10. (SB 838) Effective September 13, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2018, by its own provisions.
have a reasonable knowledge of the requirements of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
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.
will be safe to issue a license to a person whose license to drive was revoked 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.
Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 455, Ch. 30. Effective September 5, 1995.
The department may refuse to issue to, or renew a driver’s license of, any person:
program approved pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11875) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code, in which case the person may be issued a probationary license, subject to reasonable terms and conditions, if that drug usage does not affect the person’s ability to exercise reasonable and ordinary control in operating a motor vehicle on the highway.
available to the department.
Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1360, Sec. 32.
The department may adopt regulations specifying, in addition to any cause provided by statute, the circumstances which are grounds for the suspension or revocation of a schoolbus, school pupil activity, youth busdriver, farm labor vehicle, or general public paratransit vehicle certificate.
Repealed (in Sec. 2) and added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1267, Sec. 3. Effective September 26, 1988. Section operative July 1, 1989, by its own provisions.
The department may refuse to issue or renew a driver’s license to any person:
11000) of the Health and Safety Code, and the commission of the offense involved the use or operation of a motor vehicle.
If, however, the driving privilege of the applicant is on probation for a cause related to the use or possession of a narcotic controlled substance, the department may refuse to issue or renew a driver’s license to the applicant if the applicant is subsequently convicted of any offense involving the use or possession of a narcotic controlled substance, whether or not the commission of the offense involved the use or operation of a motor vehicle.
The maximum period of time for which the department may refuse to issue or renew a driver’s license to any person pursuant to this subdivision shall be three years from the date of conviction.
minor’s certificate which has been canceled.
Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 414, Sec. 2. (AB 134) Effective January 1, 2010.
In determining the violation point count, the following shall apply:
points.
21116, Section 21207.5, 21708, 21710, 21716, 23120, 24800, or 26707 shall not be given a violation point count.
Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 593, Sec. 1.5. (SB 20) Effective January 1, 2018. Amended version operative July 1, 2018, by Stats. 2017, Ch. 593, Sec. 5, and as restated in its own provisions.
Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 603, Sec. 1. (AB 47) Effective January 1, 2020.
Notwithstanding subdivision (f) of Section 12810, a violation point shall be given only for a conviction of a violation of subdivision (a) of Section 23123, subdivision (a) of Section 23123.5, or subdivision (b) of Section 23124, occurring on or after July 1, 2021, that occurs within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense.
Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 647, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no violation point shall be given for a conviction of a violation of Section 22526.
Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 630, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2008.
mileage traveled in the operation of a motor vehicle.
certificate or endorsement, or a class M license.
Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 216. (AB 1754) Effective January 1, 2024.
(B) Each license shall also contain a space for the endorsement of a record of each suspension or revocation of the license.
(C) The department shall use whatever process or processes, in the issuance of engraved or colored licenses, that prohibit, as near as possible, the ability to alter or reproduce the license or prohibit the ability to superimpose a picture or photograph on the license without ready detection.
statement:
“By marking the veteran box on this application, I certify that I am a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and that I want to receive veterans benefits information from the California Department of Veterans Affairs. By marking the veteran box on this application, I also consent to DMV transmitting my name and mailing address to the California Department of Veterans Affairs for this purpose only, and I certify that I have been notified that this transmittal will occur.”
information on each applicant who has identified that they have served in the Armed Forces of the United States since the last data transfer and has consented to be contacted about veterans benefits:
Department of Veterans Affairs in consultation with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers to acknowledge verification of veteran status. A county veterans service office shall verify the veteran’s status as a veteran, sign the verification form, and return it to the veteran. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall accept the signed verification form as proof of veteran status. The word “VETERAN” shall be printed on the face of a driver’s license or identification card, in a location determined by the department, and issued to a person who makes this request and presents the verification form to the department.
Manual.
Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 211, Sec. 4. (AB 1374) Effective January 1, 2022.
Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 211, Sec. 5. (AB 1374) Effective January 1, 2022.
department shall continue to use existing language accompanying the question of enrollment until a memorandum of understanding, as described in paragraph (1), is in effect.
the language from the most recent memorandum of understanding until a new one is in effect.
designation on the face of a driver’s license or identification card to a person who has indicated on the application their intent to enroll in the organ donation program pursuant to this section.
collected pursuant to this section to cover its actual administrative costs incurred pursuant to subdivisions (d) to (f), inclusive. The department shall deposit all revenue derived pursuant to this section and remaining after the department’s deduction for administrative costs in the Donate Life California Trust Subaccount that is hereby created in the Motor Vehicle Account in the State Transportation Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all revenue in this subaccount is continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, to the Controller for allocation to Donate Life California and shall be expended for the purpose of increasing participation in organ donation programs.
California for the purposes of this section shall be used for these purposes only and shall not be disseminated further by Donate Life California.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 16, Sec. 5. (SB 128) Effective June 27, 2025.
time and must complete the National Marrow Donor Program enrollment forms and cheek swab to be a registered bone marrow donor. I am aware that after enrollment, if matched, I have the ability to refuse to donate at any point.
Marrow Donor Program to mutually agree upon all
of the following:
from every application that indicates the applicant’s intent to enroll as a potential bone marrow or blood stem cell donor:
pursuant to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 7150) of Part 1 of Division 7 of the Health and Safety Code) and does not require registrants to donate if they are matched.
Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 272, Sec. 31. Effective August 2, 1993.
If a driver with a class C or M license, who is not required to have a certificate under any provision of this code, is presumed to be a negligent operator pursuant to Section 12810.5, the department may, as a condition of probation, issue a restricted driver’s license to permit driving of a vehicle while in the course of the driver’s employment during specified hours of employment or any other restrictions as determined by the department. The restrictions shall be noted on the driver’s
license.
Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 657, Sec. 1. (AB 520) Effective January 1, 2012.
assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee.
Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 171, Sec. 1. (AB 2357) Effective January 1, 2019.
constitute evidence of a condition requiring an examination of the driving ability. If the department finds any evidence, the department shall disclose the evidence to the applicant or licensee. If the person is absent from the state at the time the license expires, the director may extend the license for a period of one year from the expiration date of the license.
Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 373, Sec. 1. (AB 1606) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2035, by its own provisions.
detailing the program established under this section.
with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
department shall not renew a driver’s license by virtual or other remote processes that has been previously renewed by mail or by virtual or other remote processes two consecutive times for five-year periods, or by an applicant that is 80 years of age or older.
Amended (as added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 254, Sec. 7) by Stats. 2022, Ch. 800, Sec. 12. (AB 2746) Effective January 1, 2023.
chemical testing pursuant to Section 13353 or 13353.1.
for five-year periods.
Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 800, Sec. 13. (AB 2746) Effective January 1, 2023.
in paragraph (3) or practicing that instruction, provided the person is accompanied by, and is under the immediate supervision of, a California-licensed driver 25 years of age or older whose driving privilege is not on probation. The age requirement of this paragraph does not apply if the licensed driver is the parent, spouse, or guardian of the permitholder or is a licensed or certified driving instructor.
classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
least equal to the requirements for driver education and driver training contained in the rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to the Education Code. A person who has complied with this subdivision shall not be required by the governing board of a school district to comply with subparagraph (A) in order to graduate from high school.
driving during darkness, as defined in Section 280. Upon application for a provisional license, the person shall submit to the department the certification of a parent, spouse, guardian, or licensed or certified driving instructor that the applicant has completed the required amount of driving practice and is prepared to take the department’s driving test. A person without a parent, spouse, guardian, or who is an emancipated minor, may have a licensed driver 25 years of age or older or a licensed or certified driving instructor complete the certification. This requirement does not apply to motorcycle practice.
after failure of the driving test.
reasonable transportation facilities are inadequate and operation of a vehicle by a minor is necessary. The licensee shall keep in their possession a signed statement from the school principal, dean, or school staff member designated by the principal or dean, containing a probable date that the schooling or school-authorized activity will have been completed.
transportation facilities are inadequate and operation of a vehicle by a minor is necessary to transport the licensee or the licensee’s immediate family member. The licensee shall keep in their possession a signed statement from a parent or legal guardian verifying the reason and containing a probable date that the necessity will have ceased.
(A) Not less than 8 hours nor more than 16 hours of community service for a first offense and not less than 16 hours nor more than 24 hours of community service for a second or subsequent offense.
(B) A fine of not more than thirty-five dollars ($35) for a first offense and a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50) for a second or subsequent offense.
orders community service, the court shall retain jurisdiction until the hours of community service have been completed.
until the end of the term even though the person becomes 18 years of age before the term ends.
and conditions of probation shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following:
conviction, is reportable to the department under Section 1803.
subdivision (g) to submit proof of financial responsibility as defined in Section 16430. The proof of financial responsibility shall be filed on or before the date of reinstatement following the suspension or revocation. The proof of financial responsibility shall be maintained with the department for three years following the date of reinstatement.
between driver’s licenses issued to persons at least 16 years of age or older but under 18 years of age and to persons 18 years of age or older but under 21 years of age.
Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 418, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2003.
pursuant to Section 1808.1.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 417, Sec. 4. (SB 506) Effective January 1, 2026.
a law enforcement agency that the document is mutilated shall surrender the license
to the department not later than 10 days after that notification.
Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1043, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1997.
days after expiration of the license. If renewal is not applied for within 90 days after expiration of the license, the application and fee is considered the same as an application for an original license.
application.
Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 503, Sec. 1. (SB 267) Effective January 1, 2020.
license held by a person who enters or is in the United States Foreign Service shall continue in full force and effect, so long as the service continues and the person remains absent from this state, and for a period not to exceed 30 days following the date the holder of the license returns to this state, unless the license was suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The license is valid only if it is in the immediate possession of the licensee and the licensee has in their immediate possession verification of active service papers.
and for a period not to exceed 30 days following the date the person described in subdivision (c) or the spouse returns to this state, unless the spouse’s license was suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The license is valid only if it is in the immediate possession of the licensee and the licensee has in their immediate possession verification of active service papers of the person described in subdivision (c).
Repealed (in Sec. 13) and added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 985, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2001. Section operative January 1, 2011, by its own provisions.
person’s qualifications pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall determine if either of the following actions should be taken:
enforcement agency which employs the traffic officer who issued the notice of reexamination of the results of the reexamination.
Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 304, Sec. 2. Operative July 1, 1987, by Sec. 6 of Ch. 304.
Unless the person issued the notice of reexamination requests the reexamination pursuant to Section 12818 within five working days after the department receives the notice of reexamination transmitted pursuant to Section 21062, the department shall peremptorily suspend the driving privilege of the person until the person has completed the reexamination and the department has taken the action prescribed in subdivision (b) of Section 12818.