California DMV Line

[zuluweta 250]

Hi, I just read that California has begun processing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

I'm curious if there are separate lines for legal residents versus illegal immigrants. I've also read in some articles that the written test needs to be scheduled now because of the volume of illegal immigrants who are applying. Is the scheduling for the written test for everyone or just the undocumented immigrants?

I'm planning on taking the written test but having to schedule for it throws a small wrench into my plans.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Whenever I do anything involving the DMV in California, I make an appointment. Barring a total emergency, not making an appointment is just going to cause a lot of hassle and wasted time. What would be your reason not to make an appointment when they're so easily scheduled?

[liverlover 0]

Tried making an appointment at my local DMV office today. Denied. Absolutely none are available. The next closest one gave me an appointment at the end of April.

Given that a Calfornia resident cannot drive in California without a California driver license I don't see how this is going to go well.

[aaron2020 11,651]

It's either plan and make an appointment 2 months out and whiz through the DMV or go as a walk-in and wait for hours through the lines.

Nothing new. Been a problem with CA DMV for decades. It's plan ahead or wait in lines.

[lilsadie 50]

I was there today. I was in a small town in SoCal and there were at LEAST 100 people in the line. There are no separate lines for legal/undocumented, everyone goes in the same line.

It took me a month to get an appointment. I got there and can't even get my drivers license as in only in AOS stage. Cannot be more annoyed.

These people were waiting HOURS to get seen and most were getting turned away. It was CRAZY in there!!

[zuluweta 250]

I was there today. I was in a small town in SoCal and there were at LEAST 100 people in the line. There are no separate lines for legal/undocumented, everyone goes in the same line.

It took me a month to get an appointment. I got there and can't even get my drivers license as in only in AOS stage. Cannot be more annoyed.

These people were waiting HOURS to get seen and most were getting turned away. It was CRAZY in there!!

Hi! Do you know why people who waited in line for hours got turned away?

If you're in AOS stage but have your EAD card, you can get a license. That's how I got my CA state ID.

[JohnR! 5,495]

California Living 101: Don't ever go to the DMV without an appointment, unless you can spare an entire day waiting in line.

Check their website for all documents you'll be required to bring, do your homework, get all the paperwork in order and schedule an appointment. Always.

Hi, I just read that California has begun processing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

I'm curious if there are separate lines for legal residents versus illegal immigrants. I've also read in some articles that the written test needs to be scheduled now because of the volume of illegal immigrants who are applying. Is the scheduling for the written test for everyone or just the undocumented immigrants?

I'm planning on taking the written test but having to schedule for it throws a small wrench into my plans.

Edited February 4, 2015 by JohnR!

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

California Living 101: Don't ever go to the DMV without an appointment, unless you can spare an entire day waiting in line.

Check their website for all documents you'll be required to bring, do your homework, get all the paperwork in order and schedule an appointment. Always.

Yeah when I went to do my written test, walked right up, people without appointments were being told estimated 3.5 hour wait.

Shop around for appointments, if you have a few DMVs in easy reach. Appointments around here ranged from a couple of weeks to over 2 months for booking both written and behind the wheel tests, and the one with the longest wait for the written test may not be the longest for the behind the wheel one.

Edited February 16, 2015 by SusieQQQ

[zuluweta 250]

Yeah when I went to do my written test, walked right up, people without appointments were being told estimated 3.5 hour wait.

Shop around for appointments, if you have a few DMVs in easy reach. Appointments around here ranged from a couple of weeks to over 2 months for booking both written and behind the wheel tests, and the one with the longest wait for the written test may not be the longest for the behind the wheel one.

Did you have an appointment or not? I don't need to do the driving test (have an expired WA state DL), just the written test. I already have a CA state ID, valid until 2019. I got it by presenting my EAD (I have GC now).

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Did you have an appointment or not? I don't need to do the driving test (have an expired WA state DL), just the written test. I already have a CA state ID, valid until 2019. I got it by presenting my EAD (I have GC now).

We were told we had to have appointments for both written test and behind the wheel. Just booked online. We got there early for the written test and got sent straight through so were done even before the appointment time vs people waiting for 3.5 hours without appointments. Behind the wheel test not so lucky on time, had to wait and was about 45 minutes after the time had booked for but that won't affect you if you don't need to do it.

What did you need the state ID for? We figured we needed DL anyway so just went for that. We do know someone who was fined for driving without a CA license once they are resident. We came in on immigrant visas so proof of legal presence or ability to work was never an issue.

[zuluweta 250]

Yeah when I went to do my written test, walked right up, people without appointments were being told estimated 3.5 hour wait.

Shop around for appointments, if you have a few DMVs in easy reach. Appointments around here ranged from a couple of weeks to over 2 months for booking both written and behind the wheel tests, and the one with the longest wait for the written test may not be the longest for the behind the wheel one.

So how long did your appointment take? I only need to do the written test as I already have an expired DL from another state.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

So how long did your appointment take? I only need to do the written test as I already have an expired DL from another state.

I can't remember exactly, 2-3 weeks I think. You can book online so you can also look online and see when you can get appointments at various DMVs, if it's like it was at the beginning of the year it can differ a lot between centers.

[zuluweta 250]

I can't remember exactly, 2-3 weeks I think. You can book online so you can also look online and see when you can get appointments at various DMVs, if it's like it was at the beginning of the year it can differ a lot between centers.

OK, thanks for your reply. I plan to move first to my new address before booking an appointment.

Did you "DMV-shop" online to see where appointments for the written test and driving test are fastest?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

OK, thanks for your reply. I plan to move first to my new address before booking an appointment.

Did you "DMV-shop" online to see where appointments for the written test and driving test are fastest?

Yes, for the written test.

You can't book the driving test till you have a temporary permit though. And then actually we had to call to make the driving test appointment, the online booking system didn't recognise the permit numbers for some reason (maybe because we got temporary driver permits rather than learner permits?) but the guy on the other end of the line was very helpful and checked the different ones for us to let us know which center could take us soonest.

Edited June 5, 2015 by SusieQQQ

[zuluweta 250]

California Living 101: Don't ever go to the DMV without an appointment, unless you can spare an entire day waiting in line.

Check their website for all documents you'll be required to bring, do your homework, get all the paperwork in order and schedule an appointment. Always.

I just moved to a new address 2 days ago. I currently hold a CA state ID. Am I required to go to DMV to report the change of address? If so, how long do I have to report and update my address? Do I need an appointment for this?