Your complete Bay Area guide — whether you have a foreign license, never driven before, or need a car for your DMV test. We help F-1 students, J-1 interns, H-1B professionals, and all international workers get their California license.
No car? No experience? No problem — we've got you covered.
Designed for you
Whether you've been driving for years or have never sat behind the wheel, we specialize in helping international students and workers navigate the California DMV process. No car needed — we provide everything.
International students and workers who have never driven before. Many come from countries with excellent public transit and need to learn from scratch — we specialize in teaching complete beginners.
Students at Stanford University, Berkeley, UCSF, San Jose State, and other Bay Area universities who need a California driver's license for research, internships, or daily life.
Summer and year-long interns and trainees at tech companies, hospitals, research labs, and Bay Area businesses who want a driver's license during their program.
Professionals across all industries — tech, healthcare, finance, consulting, biotech, and more — who need driving lessons or a car for their DMV test.
Experienced drivers from any country who already know how to drive but need to convert their foreign license to a California driver's license.
Postdocs, visiting scholars, and researchers at universities, hospitals, and research institutions who need transportation independence during their time in the Bay Area.
Our Solution for You
If you're an F-1 student, J-1 intern, H-1B professional, or any international worker who just arrived — you probably don't have a car yet. Most regular car rentals can't be used for DMV tests due to insurance restrictions. That's where we come in.
Fully insured and registered — meets all DMV requirements
We pick you up from your dorm, apartment, or office
We drive you to the DMV and wait during your test
30-minute practice before your test to calm nerves
The DMV Process
The same process applies whether you have a foreign license or are getting your first license ever. Here's what to expect.
Collect your passport, visa documents (I-20, DS-2019, or I-94), proof of California residency (2 documents), and Social Security Number or ineligibility letter.
Pro Tip: Request a Social Security ineligibility letter if you don't have an SSN - the DMV requires this document.
Book an appointment at your local DMV online. Walk-ins are possible but appointments save significant wait time.
Pro Tip: DMV appointments in the Bay Area can be 2-3 weeks out during busy periods - book early!
Take the California DMV knowledge test (36 questions, need 30 correct). Study the California Driver Handbook, especially California-specific rules.
Pro Tip: Take online practice tests to familiarize yourself with the question format and California-specific laws.
After passing the written test, you'll receive an instruction permit. This allows you to practice driving with a licensed California driver over 18.
Pro Tip: Your permit is valid for 12 months - schedule your driving test before it expires.
Book your behind-the-wheel test appointment at the DMV. You'll need a vehicle for the test.
Pro Tip: Don't have a car? Book our DMV test car rental - we provide a compliant vehicle and handle transportation.
Complete the 15-20 minute driving test demonstrating safe driving skills. You'll receive a temporary license immediately upon passing.
Pro Tip: Practice California-specific maneuvers: right turns on red, 4-way stops, and pedestrian yielding.
Many international students and workers come from countries with excellent public transportation and have never needed to drive. We specialize in teaching complete beginners from scratch — no experience necessary.
Basic Controls
Steering, braking, parking lots
Residential Streets
Turns, stops, right-of-way
Busy Roads & Parking
Lane changes, parallel parking
Freeway & DMV Prep
Highway driving, test routes
Most beginners need 3-5 lessons (2hr each). Experienced drivers may only need 1-2 practice sessions.
Got Questions?
Common questions from international students, work visa holders, and foreign license holders about getting a California driver's license
Yes, visitors can drive in California with a valid foreign license for up to 10 days. However, if you become a California resident (live here more than 10 days), you must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency. This applies to F-1 international students, J-1 visa interns, H-1B/L-1 workers, and anyone relocating to the Bay Area.
Yes, California requires all applicants to pass both a written knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel driving test, regardless of whether you have a foreign license. Your foreign license does not exempt you from these requirements. If you've never driven before, you'll need the same tests - we offer driving lessons for complete beginners.
Absolutely! Many international students and workers come from countries with excellent public transit and have never needed to drive. We specialize in teaching complete beginners from scratch. Our behind-the-wheel training covers everything from basic vehicle operation to California traffic laws. Most first-time drivers need 6-10 lessons before they're ready for the DMV test.
F-1 students need: (1) Valid passport, (2) Valid visa stamp or I-94, (3) Form I-20 from your university, (4) Two proof of California residency documents (lease, bank statement, utility bill), (5) Social Security Number or SSA ineligibility letter. International students at Stanford, Berkeley, UCSF, San Jose State, and other Bay Area schools all follow this process.
The timeline depends on your experience: If you can already drive, the process takes 2-4 weeks (DMV appointment wait + driving test scheduling). If you're learning to drive from scratch, add 4-8 weeks for driving lessons. We recommend starting the process as soon as you arrive to avoid transportation stress while settling into your new job.
Yes, but the vehicle must be registered, insured, and have valid license plates. Most international students and workers don't have access to a suitable vehicle when they first arrive, which is why our DMV test car rental service is popular - we provide a DMV-compliant, fully insured vehicle with pickup from your home, dorm, or office.
Key differences include: right-turn-on-red (allowed unless posted), four-way stop intersections (yield to whoever arrived first), strict pedestrian right-of-way laws, school zone speed limits, and driving on the right side of the road. Our driving lessons cover all California-specific rules that international drivers need to know.
Most international workers don't have access to a car when they first arrive — whether you're at a tech company, hospital, financial firm, or any Bay Area employer. Regular car rentals won't work for DMV tests due to insurance requirements. Bay Cities Driving School offers DMV test car rental that includes a DMV-compliant vehicle, pickup from your home or office in Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, or San Francisco, transport to the DMV, and drop-off after your test.
California law requires you to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency. For work visa holders (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, etc.), this typically means within 10 days of your start date. Start the process early - DMV appointments can take 1-2 weeks to schedule. Many workers at tech companies, hospitals, universities, and Bay Area businesses use our services to get licensed quickly.
Yes! Getting your California license during your J-1 internship is highly recommended, especially if you're hoping to return for full-time work. Having a valid California license makes your transition smoother - you'll already have ID, transportation independence, and one less thing to worry about when you return. Many interns use our DMV car rental and driving lessons during their summer or year-long programs.
Yes! We specialize in teaching international students and workers who have never driven before. Whether you're from China, India, Korea, Japan, Europe, Latin America, or anywhere else, our patient instructors will teach you everything from scratch. Book your first driving lesson and we'll help you understand the unique challenges of learning to drive in a new country with different traffic laws.
Our driving lessons for beginners cover: basic vehicle controls, parking (parallel, perpendicular, angle), lane changes and freeway driving, California traffic laws and signs, defensive driving techniques, and DMV test preparation. Each 2-hour lesson is customized to your skill level. We pick you up and drop you off at your home, dorm, or office anywhere in the Bay Area. When you're ready for your test, book our DMV car rental service.
Be Prepared
What you need for your California DMV appointment — organized by visa type
Residency proof examples: Lease agreement, utility bill, bank statement, employment letter, or university enrollment letter. Documents must show your California address.
Other visa types (O-1, TN, E-2, etc.): Requirements are similar — bring your passport, visa documents, I-94, and residency proofs.
Whether you need driving lessons, a car for your DMV test, or both — we're here to help international students and workers get licensed fast.
Have specific questions? Email us at info@baycitiesdrivingschool.com or call (650) 368-6565
