California DMV Expands At-Home Testing Eligibility for Young and Out-of-State Applicants

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has expanded its at-home testing eligibility to include Californians under 18 years old seeking a driver’s license and individuals relocating to California who need to take the driver’s license knowledge test. The move aims to offer convenience and flexibility to customers.

Sacramento, CA – In a recent announcement, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has made it possible for Californians under 18 years old and individuals moving to California from other states to complete their driver’s license knowledge test at home. This initiative is part of the DMV's ongoing efforts to provide services that cater to the convenience of its customers.

DMV Director Steve Gordon commented on the new provision, stating, “The online test can be taken in the convenience of your living room. This is another example of how the DMV is providing service to customers when and where they want them.”

Key Details:

• Eligible applicants can opt for the remote exam after completing the online driver’s license application and settling the application fee.
• For applicants under 18, parental or guardian consent is mandatory. This allows the DMV to interact with the minor online and monitor their test-taking as part of the online requirements.
• Post the online exam, customers are still required to visit a DMV office. This visit is to provide necessary identity and residency documents, get a photograph taken, provide a thumbprint, undergo a vision screening, and finally, be issued the licensing document.

Online Knowledge Test Specifics:

• The online test is accessible in 35 languages.
• It is available for those with an internet-enabled computer or laptop equipped with a webcam. The test timings are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday, excluding state holidays. Notably, tablets and mobile devices are not supported for this test.
• To prevent fraud, participants must verify their identity and consent to be monitored during the exam.
• The test can be taken online up to two times. If a participant fails both attempts, they will be directed to a DMV office for a third attempt.

Additionally, the DMV offers an interactive eLearning course as an alternative to the traditional knowledge test. This course, available 24/7, consists of seven modules, each followed by a quiz. It is designed to cater to individuals who might find exams challenging or those who prefer a different learning approach. The course takes roughly 45 minutes to complete and is currently available only in English.

The DMV also emphasizes that a majority of DMV tasks can be accomplished without visiting an office through their online services.