{"id":1727,"date":"2020-03-09T12:50:13","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T19:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/new-to-california\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:12:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:12:43","slug":"new-to-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/driver-education-and-safety\/special-interest-driver-guides\/new-to-california\/","title":{"rendered":"New to California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-spacer-block spacer-box\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Welcome to the Golden State!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Everything new residents need\u2014driver\u2019s license, vehicle registration, and more.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-columns content-columns colums-1-3-1-3-1-3\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Establishing Residency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cal_resident_5.jpg\" alt=\"Welcome to California road sign.\" class=\"wp-image-287861\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:360px;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cal_resident_5.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cal_resident_5-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cal_resident_5-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>You are a California resident if you intend to live in the state for six months or more in one year. There are other rules that also help decide if you are a <a href=\"#ca-resident\">California resident<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Your ID or DL Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_3.jpg\" alt=\"Hand holding up California driver's license.\" class=\"wp-image-287864\" style=\"object-fit:contain;width:360px;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_3.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_3-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_3-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>If you intend to be a California resident, you need a valid California Identification (ID) or&nbsp;Driver&#8217;s License (DL) card. Learn more about the <a href=\"\/portal\/driver-licenses-identification-cards\/driver-licenses-dl\/\">types of&nbsp;DL\/ID cards<\/a> and decide what is right for you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Driving in California<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_1.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in car holding up California driver's license.\" class=\"wp-image-287867\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:360px;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_1.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_1-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RealID_1-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>If you intend to become a California resident and drive in California, you must <a href=\"\/portal\/driver-licenses-identification-cards\/dl-id-online-app-edl-44\/\">apply<\/a> for a California DL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-columns content-columns colums-1-3-1-3-1-3\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Registering Your Vehicle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Registering_car_1.jpg\" alt=\"Person typing on a laptop with a digital profile holographically displayed above the keyboard.\" class=\"wp-image-287870\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:360px;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Registering_car_1.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Registering_car_1-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Registering_car_1-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>If you bring a vehicle into California that was previously registered in another state or country, you must <a href=\"\/portal\/how-to-9-register-a-vehicle-from-out-of-state-nonresident-vehicle\/\">register it within 20 days<\/a> of becoming a resident or bringing it into the state.<br><br><br><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Plates, Decals &amp; Placards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/disabled_2.jpg\" alt=\"Disabled Person Parking Placard hanging from rearview mirror of a car.\" class=\"wp-image-287873\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:360px;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/disabled_2.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/disabled_2-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/disabled_2-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Learn more about the <a href=\"\/portal\/vehicle-registration\/license-plates-decals-and-placards\/\">types of plates, decals, and placards<\/a> that identify vehicles on California roads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. You and DMV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/myDMV_360x180.jpg\" alt=\"Phone displaying MyDMV screen.\" class=\"wp-image-287876\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:360px;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/myDMV_360x180.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/myDMV_360x180-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2025\/07\/myDMV_360x180-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Most of your DMV business can be started and\/or completed online. Creating your <a href=\"\/portal\/mydmv\">MyDMV account<\/a> makes doing things quick and easy!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ca-resident\">Examples of intent to reside in California:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-dmv-illustration alignright is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2022\/12\/poppy.svg\" class=\"dmv-illustration\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" aria-hidden=\"true\" alt=\" \"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You are present in California for six months or longer within a 12-month period, and you are not visiting on a temporary or transient basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are registered to vote in California.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are employed in California.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your place of business is located in California.<br><span role=\"region\" class=\"format-label--note\"><span class=\"format-label__text\">Note<\/span> This does not include military personnel.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You pay resident tuition at a public institution of higher education such as a university or college in California.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have dependents who attend a primary or secondary school in California.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are a homeowner with a property tax exemption in California.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You rent a property in California and it is your primary residence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have claimed California residency to obtain a license, privilege, or other benefit that non-residents cannot obtain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have a current California driver&#8217;s license or ID card.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are determined to be a resident because of acts, occurrences, or events that indicate that your presence in the state is more than temporary or transient.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-spacer-block spacer-box\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-columns content-columns colums-1-2-1-2\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 <a href=\"\/portal\/handbook\/california-driver-handbook\/\">California Driver\u2019s Handbook<\/a>\u00a0<br>\u2013 <a href=\"\/portal\/driver-education-and-safety\/educational-materials\/sample-driver-license-dl-knowledge-tests\/\">Sample Knowledge Tests<\/a><br>\u2013 <a href=\"\/portal\/driver-licenses-identification-cards\/instruction-permits\/\">Instruction Permit &amp; License Test<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-column col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n<lite-youtube\n\tjs-api\n\tparams=\"modestbranding=1&#038;showinfo=0&#038;rel=0&#038;enablejsapi=1\"\n\tvideoid=\"hv1W-1Mcfuw\"\n\tstyle=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Title-Card_Online-Services.jpg');\"\n\tdata-title=\"Online Services\"\t>\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=hv1W-1Mcfuw\" class=\"lty-playbtn lty__playbtn \" title=\"Play video, Online Services\">\n\t\t<span class=\"lty__context mb-30 ml-30 mr-30\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"lty__button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<svg class=\"icon icon-play-btn\" fill=\"currentColor\" height=\"36\" width=\"36\" aria-hidden=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"title-play-youtube-video-21164\">\n\t\t<title id=\"title-play-youtube-video-21164\">Play YouTube Video<\/title>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/wp-content\/themes\/dmv\/dist\/svg\/svg-sprite.svg?ver=1776199661#icon-play-btn\"><\/use>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lty__media-title\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\tOnline Services\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lty__media-duration\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t0:56\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/lite-youtube>\n\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Come explore all the DMV services that are available to you online.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dmv-spacer-block spacer-box\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Need something else?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"featured-tiles-block full-width full-width--slant\">\n\n\t<div class=\"container container--full\">\n\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"content-tile\">\n\t\t<div class=\"content-tile__info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Learn about REAL ID<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Effective May 7, 2025 you need a REAL ID if you want to use your license to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-tile__ctas\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/portal\/driver-licenses-identification-cards\/real-id\/\">Apply for a REAL ID<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t<div class=\"content-tile\">\n\t\t<div class=\"content-tile__info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Information on AB 60 DL<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>AB 60 driver\u2019s licenses are for individuals who are unable to provide proof of legal presence in the United States, but who meet California DMV requirements and are able to provide proof of identity and California residency.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-tile__ctas\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/portal\/driver-licenses-identification-cards\/assembly-bill-ab-60-driver-licenses\/\">Learn more about AB 60 Driver&#8217;s Licenses<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t<div class=\"content-tile\">\n\t\t<div class=\"content-tile__info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>How to Contact DMV<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There are several ways to contact DMV, including using our chatbot, by mail, or by chatting with a live agent.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-tile__ctas\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/portal\/contacting-dmv\/\">Contact Us<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the Golden State! Everything new residents need\u2014driver\u2019s license, vehicle registration, and more. Examples of intent to reside in California: Need something else?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1731,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"dmv_page_popups":[],"dmv_ribbon_color":"","dmv_top_illustration":"","dmv_page_title":"","dmv_page_subtitle":"","dmv_exclude_from_search_results":false,"dmv_allowed_editors":[],"dmv_display_translate_button":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119],"tags":[3372,3375,3342,3366,3147,3336,3369],"dmv_task":[11],"dmv_functional_page_type":[64,63],"dmv_content_type":[],"class_list":["post-1727","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-new-to-california","tag-california-resident","tag-just-moved-here","tag-new-resident","tag-new-to-ca","tag-new-to-california","tag-new-to-the-state","tag-resident","dmv_task-educational","dmv_functional_page_type-informational","dmv_functional_page_type-service-portal"],"featured_image_src":null,"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>New California Resident Portal - California DMV<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Welcome to the Golden State! If you\u2019re new to California, learn how to get your driver\u2019s license and register your vehicle.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/driver-education-and-safety\/special-interest-driver-guides\/new-to-california\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New California Resident Portal - California DMV\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Welcome to the Golden State! 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