Moving to California: New Resident Guide 2026

California expects new residents to act quickly: apply for a California driver license within 10 days and register your vehicle within 20 days. California also requires a written knowledge test when you transfer a license from another state, and most cars need a smog check before they can be registered. You count as a resident once you intend to live in California for six months or more in a year, or take steps such as a California job, voter registration or in-state tuition. This guide walks through each step.

10 daysto apply for a California driver license
20 daysto register your vehicle in California
30/60/15minimum car insurance, in thousands of dollars
15 daysbefore an election: regular voter registration deadline

Step by step

  1. Update your car insurance

    Since January 1, 2025, California requires liability insurance of at least $30,000 for injury to one person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage. Move your policy to your California address; rates are set by where the car is kept, so expect a change.

  2. Take the knowledge test and apply for your license within 10 days

    Start the driver license application online, then visit a DMV office to finish it. Drivers with a valid license from another U.S. state must pass the written knowledge test, which you can take online before your visit, but do not usually take a behind-the-wheel test. Bring proof of identity (such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate), your Social Security number, and two documents proving your California address, such as a lease or utility bill. A REAL ID-compliant license is optional but needed to board domestic flights with your license after May 7, 2025.

  3. Get a smog check

    Before registering, have the vehicle tested at a licensed California smog station. This applies to gasoline vehicles from model year 1976 and newer, diesel vehicles from 1998 and newer under 14,001 pounds, and natural gas or propane vehicles. Electric vehicles and motorcycles do not need one.

  4. Register your vehicle within 20 days

    At a DMV office (book an appointment online), bring a completed Form REG 343 (Application for Title or Registration), your out-of-state title and registration, the smog certificate and proof of insurance. A DMV employee will inspect the vehicle and complete a vehicle verification (REG 31). You will pay registration fees, a vehicle license fee of 0.65% of the vehicle’s value and, if you bought the vehicle outside California shortly before moving, possibly California use tax, with credit for sales tax paid to the other state.

  5. Register to vote

    Register online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov at least 15 days before an election. After that deadline, you can still register and vote a provisional ballot at a county elections office or vote center through Election Day. Applying for a license at the DMV also registers you automatically unless you opt out.

  6. File for the homeowners’ exemption, if you buy a home

    File with your county assessor to take $7,000 off your home’s assessed value. Your property tax will be based on the purchase price and can rise no more than 2% a year while you own it. See our California tax guide.

  7. Check earthquake and wildfire coverage

    Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude earthquake damage. Ask about a separate earthquake policy, for example through the California Earthquake Authority, and in wildfire areas get insurance quotes before you sign a purchase contract.

Bringing a nearly new car

California has its own vehicle emissions standards. A car bought new in another state that is less than two years old and has fewer than 7,500 miles generally cannot be registered in California unless it was certified to California standards or qualifies for one of the exemptions listed on DMV form REG 256F. Check the emissions label under the hood, which says whether the car conforms to California regulations, before you buy a car just ahead of a move.

Checklist

  • Car insurance at California minimums (30/60/15) or higher
  • Knowledge test passed and driver license application at DMV (within 10 days)
  • Smog certificate for each vehicle that needs one
  • Vehicle registered at DMV with REG 343 and out-of-state title (within 20 days)
  • Voter registration at least 15 days before the next election
  • Homeowners’ exemption filed, if you bought a home
  • Earthquake and wildfire insurance reviewed
  • Mail forwarded through USPS and your address updated with the IRS, banks and employer

Your money after the move

California taxes all income you earn while a resident, so your first year will usually mean a part-year resident return (Form 540NR). If you are coming from a state with no income tax, budget for state income tax and 1.3% SDI from your first California paycheck: about $3,763 a year on a $75,000 salary. Estimate your take-home pay with our California paycheck calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to get a California driver license?

10 days after becoming a resident. You will need to pass the written knowledge test, which can be taken online.

How long do I have to register my car in California?

20 days after becoming a resident or bringing the vehicle into the state. Late registration brings penalties, so submit the application on time even if a document is still missing.

Do I need a smog check to register an out-of-state car?

Yes, for most gasoline cars from 1976 and newer and diesel vehicles from 1998 and newer. Electric vehicles and motorcycles are exempt.

Can I register to vote on Election Day in California?

Yes. The regular deadline is 15 days before the election, but conditional voter registration lets you register and vote a provisional ballot at a county elections office or vote center through Election Day.

Last updated: November 5, 2026.

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