Booking a California DMV appointment for your permit test

How to book

1. Start the Driver’s License & ID Card Application on dmv.ca.gov. You’ll need a DMV online account, your Social Security number if you have one, your address and your date of birth. DMV says it takes about 9 minutes on average.
2. Submit it. DMV emails you a confirmation number, and your application is saved for up to a year.
3. Go to Schedule Appointment on dmv.ca.gov, choose an office and pick a time.
4. Turn up with your confirmation number, your documents, the $46 fee and your glasses if you wear them.

The online application comes in 10 languages

As of October 2026 you can fill it in in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai or Vietnamese. The page times out after 15 minutes, but you can log back in and pick up where you left off.

What happens at the appointment

You hand over your documents, pay the fee and have your thumbprint taken. Then come a quick eye test, your photo and the knowledge test. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian has to sign your application, and both must sign if they share joint custody.

Booking the drive test comes later

The behind-the-wheel test is a separate appointment. If you’re under 18, you have to hold your permit for at least 6 months first, practise for 50 hours (10 of them at night) and finish 6 hours of driver training.